Gomes haunts England

Philips Stadium
Eindhoven
European Championship
12 June 2000

Having seen Germany and Romania draw in an uninspiring opening game to Euro 2000 Group A, England and Portugal played each other knowing that the winners would immediately seize control of the group.

Despite many commentators questioning the chances of Kevin Keegan's side, the Three Lions got off to a thrilling start - playing exciting, quick attacking football and hitting Portugal with two goals in the opening twenty minutes.

After just three minutes, David Beckham was allowed far too much time and space on the right flank and he swung in a cross that was headed home by his Manchester United colleague Paul Scholes.

A buoyant England looked threatening on the break and sure enough they scored a second goal fifteen minutes later. A good piece of skill by Michael Owen gave Beckham another crossing opportunity which this time was converted by Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman.

McManaman, playing in England's troublesome left midfield position, was in good form after he had helped his club side win the recent Champions League final. He met Beckham's dipping cross with a clinically struck right-footed half-volley that flew into the top of the net.

However, despite their lead England never looked comfortable on the ball and they struggled to keep possession for any meaningful length of time.

Four minutes after McManaman's goal, England were pegged back when Luis Figo, attacking an England defence that backed off far too far, hit a 25-yard shot which seemed to take a slight deflection off Tony Adams.

Portugal's control of the ball in midfield had England chasing shadows and before the half-time whistle went, they had deservedly levelled the match.

A long passage of play eventually found the gifted Rui Costa out on the right wing and his cross found the head of the diving Joao Pinto. The Benfica man's well-judged glancing effort flew past the outstreched hands of Seaman.

The second period began as the first had ended with Portugal dominating England in all areas of the midfield. Rui Costa, the man pulling most of the strings, was the creator supreme of Portugal's 60th minute winner.

On the hour, Numo Gomes sped onto a through ball from the Fiorentina artisan, got ahead of a tired-looking Tony Adams and steered the ball past Seaman.

Late efforts from Scholes and Shearer threatened Baia's goal but Humberto Coelho's side held on.