Russia 2-1 Greece

Sunday 20 June 2004
7.45 - Faro-Loulé

Greece nervously edged into the quarter-finals despite losing their last Group A game 2-1 to Russia in Faro-Loulé on Sunday. Zisis Vryzas’ goal two minutes before half-time ensured that Otto Rehhagel's side qualified along with Portugal, having scored more goals than Spain.

Vryzas the difference
Having started the day top of the group, Greece's hopes of reaching the last eight were rocked in the first 17 minutes as Russia raced into a two-goal lead. Dmitri Kirichenko opened the scoring inside two minutes with the quickest goal ever scored in a UEFA European Championship finals match, then Dmitri Bulykin took advantage of some anxious Greek defending to head in a second. But Vryzas' well-taken strike just before the interval ultimately proved enough to see Greece through to the quarter-finals of a major tournament for the first time in their history.

Attacking intent
Rehhagel opted for an attacking formation, despite his side needing just a point to be sure of a place in the last eight. Panathinaikos FC striker Dimitrios Papadopoulos was handed his tournament debut in a three-pronged attack alongside Vryzas and Angelos Charisteas, while Angelos Basinas bolstered a midfield that had lost Stylianos Giannakopoulos to injury and Georgios Karagounis to suspension.

Seven changes
Russia, already eliminated after two straight defeats, made seven changes from the side that lost to Portugal, with Vladislav Radimov playing the anchor role in a new-look midfield that had Rolan Gusev on the right, Andrei Kariaka on the left and Dmitri Alenichev in the hole behind front-two Bulykin and Kirichenko.

Sudden impact
It was Kirichenko's first taste of action in Portugal and the PFC CSKA Moskva striker wasted no time making his mark, scoring Russia's first goal of the campaign inside two minutes. Greece lost concentration at the back as Konstantinos Katsouranis missed his attempted clearance, allowing Kirichenko to race clear and steer a right-foot shot past Antonios Nikopolidis.

Bulykin doubles up
Greece were soon pressing forward in search of an equaliser but their nerves were all too apparent against a Russia side playing without pressure. Alenichev and Gusev looked dangerous every time they counterattacked and Russia soon doubled their lead. Gusev's right-wing corner picked out Bulykin unmarked at the near post and his stooping header flew into the roof of the net.

Venetidis shoots wide
Kariaka blazed over the crossbar from close range in the 25th minute, before Charisteas squandered a glorious chance to get Greece back in the game. Stylianos Venetidis crossed low from the left, but the SV Werder Bremen forward scooped his shot over from six metres out.

Vryzas hits back
The opportunity gave Greece hope, however, and they got the goal they needed two minutes before the break. Papadopoulos headed a cross from the right into the path of Vryzas, whose clever chest control saw him turn past Roman Sharonov before chipping the ball clinically over goalkeeper Viacheslav Malafeev and into the net.

Double change
Russia coach Georgi Yartsev made a double change at the break, with goalscorer Bulykin making way for Dmitri Sychev and Igor Semshov replacing Kariaka, but Greece were soon on the offensive. Vassilios Tsiartas, who had come on for Basinas just seconds before Greece scored, tested Malafeev with a low 20-metre drive on 50 minutes, then saw his corner headed over by Charisteas.

Greek nerves
News that Portugal had taken the lead against Spain was greeted by cheers from the sprinkling of Portuguese fans in the stadium, but seemed to inject more nerves into the Greek team. Russia looked to take advantage and Kirichenko struck an acrobatic volley over the crossbar before Sychev stung the hands of Nikopolidis with a raking drive. But Greece held on.

Russia Goals: Kirichenko 2, Bulykin 17

Greece Goals: Zisis Vryzas 43

©uefa.com 1998-2004. All rights reserved