Penalties once more dictated the fate of England’s World Cup destiny as Sven Goran Eriksson’s men once more went crashing out of the FIFA World Cup on spot kicks. After a turbulent game in which the three lions lost their talisman Wayne Rooney to a red card, England once more failed to beat Portugal in a major competition and Scolari got yet another victory over the country he turned down the chance to manage.
After all the talking of England’s time to deliver, the first half was much of a disappointment. In a similar way to the quarter final between Argentina and Germany on Friday, neither side looked as if they wanted to give anything away and with this in mind, the game was low on chances.
Both sides failed to get their strikers involved as Rooney and Pauleta were nothing but mere spectators in this midfield battle. Figo and Ronaldo wandered for Portugal whose plan seemed to be to hit England on the break as Gerrard and Lampard looked to prove that they can indeed play side by side for the national team.
The first half’s opening chance fell to Tiago inside the England penalty area, after a free kick was swept in by Figo, the England defense failed twice to clear before the Lyon man grabbed possession of the ball. His first touch was poor and this gave England keeper Robinson the chance he needed to pounce on the loose ball.
England threatened in spells with the game rushing from end to end at a relentless pace. Ashley Cole began to test Figo going the other way and in doing so created space for Joe Cole who was given much possession as the game wore on, but the Chelsea man could create nothing of the magic which his country had seen so far in the tournament.
Lampard settled down some what after a nervy opening which saw him give the ball away to Ronaldo for a shooting opportunity but he could do little to impact on the game during the first half.
The second period began with England realizing that the game was there for the taking, however the turning point of the game was round the corner and as the tide turned towards the hugely supported one time World Cup winner’s disaster struck and Wayne Rooney received a red card for serious foul play.
With captain Beckham removed from the game due to an injury to his ankle, Rooney came deep looking for the ball, tangling with Carvalho the man involved when Rooney injured his metatarsal, the following incident seemed innocuous as the Manchester United man appeared to stamp on the Chelsea defender as they battled.
Portugal’s players came rushing in and after a small melee Rooney was dismissed. For this period onwards England seemed to turn up the pace somewhat. The tricky Lennon, replacement for Beckham began running at Portugal and instantly created a chance which Joe Cole fluffed over the bar.
The tireless Owen Hargreaves battled and almost created a chance for Gerrard. Lampard battled on and had a shot saved by Ricardo which in his usual form he would have netted. Robinson however was kept busy at the other end by Figo whose shot was tipped away from Maniche’s head in the nick of time.
Lampard struck again after Crouch won a free kick but his shot was yet again saved and Terry could not stab in the rebound.
Extra time was a battle of chess like proportions as England continued to work on the break forcing Portugal to break them down. They probed and probed but their best effort came Ronaldo who struck a vicious shot just over the top of the bar. Lennon ripped into Portugal again but had a penalty appeal turned down. Portugal were also denied as Postiga found the net but his header was adjudged to be offside. In the dying seconds Maniche fired over when laid off by Miguel and from that point forward penalties was inevitable.
The Portuguese took first, but Lampard was denied in response, his kick saved by Ricardo. The second Portugal player struck the post and man of the match Owen Hargreaves fired his penalty into the net via a gloved hand. The Portuguese responded with another miss as Petit missed but Gerrard and Carragher the next two England players were denied by goalkeeping hero Ricardo.
All that was left was for Ronaldo to strike home from the spot, in sending Robinson the wrong way he send the nation in which he plays his club football home and put Portugal within a hairs breath of making their first World Cup final.
After all the talking of England’s time to deliver, the first half was much of a disappointment. In a similar way to the quarter final between Argentina and Germany on Friday, neither side looked as if they wanted to give anything away and with this in mind, the game was low on chances.
Both sides failed to get their strikers involved as Rooney and Pauleta were nothing but mere spectators in this midfield battle. Figo and Ronaldo wandered for Portugal whose plan seemed to be to hit England on the break as Gerrard and Lampard looked to prove that they can indeed play side by side for the national team.
The first half’s opening chance fell to Tiago inside the England penalty area, after a free kick was swept in by Figo, the England defense failed twice to clear before the Lyon man grabbed possession of the ball. His first touch was poor and this gave England keeper Robinson the chance he needed to pounce on the loose ball.
England threatened in spells with the game rushing from end to end at a relentless pace. Ashley Cole began to test Figo going the other way and in doing so created space for Joe Cole who was given much possession as the game wore on, but the Chelsea man could create nothing of the magic which his country had seen so far in the tournament.
Lampard settled down some what after a nervy opening which saw him give the ball away to Ronaldo for a shooting opportunity but he could do little to impact on the game during the first half.
The second period began with England realizing that the game was there for the taking, however the turning point of the game was round the corner and as the tide turned towards the hugely supported one time World Cup winner’s disaster struck and Wayne Rooney received a red card for serious foul play.
With captain Beckham removed from the game due to an injury to his ankle, Rooney came deep looking for the ball, tangling with Carvalho the man involved when Rooney injured his metatarsal, the following incident seemed innocuous as the Manchester United man appeared to stamp on the Chelsea defender as they battled.
Portugal’s players came rushing in and after a small melee Rooney was dismissed. For this period onwards England seemed to turn up the pace somewhat. The tricky Lennon, replacement for Beckham began running at Portugal and instantly created a chance which Joe Cole fluffed over the bar.
The tireless Owen Hargreaves battled and almost created a chance for Gerrard. Lampard battled on and had a shot saved by Ricardo which in his usual form he would have netted. Robinson however was kept busy at the other end by Figo whose shot was tipped away from Maniche’s head in the nick of time.
Lampard struck again after Crouch won a free kick but his shot was yet again saved and Terry could not stab in the rebound.
Extra time was a battle of chess like proportions as England continued to work on the break forcing Portugal to break them down. They probed and probed but their best effort came Ronaldo who struck a vicious shot just over the top of the bar. Lennon ripped into Portugal again but had a penalty appeal turned down. Portugal were also denied as Postiga found the net but his header was adjudged to be offside. In the dying seconds Maniche fired over when laid off by Miguel and from that point forward penalties was inevitable.
The Portuguese took first, but Lampard was denied in response, his kick saved by Ricardo. The second Portugal player struck the post and man of the match Owen Hargreaves fired his penalty into the net via a gloved hand. The Portuguese responded with another miss as Petit missed but Gerrard and Carragher the next two England players were denied by goalkeeping hero Ricardo.
All that was left was for Ronaldo to strike home from the spot, in sending Robinson the wrong way he send the nation in which he plays his club football home and put Portugal within a hairs breath of making their first World Cup final.