England

0-0

Portugal



aet. 0-0 90 mins, Portugal win 3-1 on penalties

Saturday 01 July 2006
World Cup, Quarter-Final
Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen

Sven-Goran Eriksson has expressed his sympathy for England’s players and their army of supporters who cheered on the Three Lions throughout the World Cup.

The Head Coach added that England were unlucky to lose to Portugal in their penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals.

Eriksson, who will now leave his post with England, said he was disappointed his side did not progress in the competition.

He said: "I am very sorry for the players and for the fans. I’ve been convinced all along that this team had the potential to win the World Cup but today we were a little bit unlucky.

"We started the second half very well and controlled the game, exactly what we wanted to do.

"Then there was the sending off. I must say they fought enormously when it was 10 against 11. We held the game up very well and lost on penalties again and I'm really sorry about that."

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher failed to convert their penalties as once again Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo proved to be a thorn in Sven's side.

"We practised penalties so much, I really don't know what more we could do about it," Sven continued.

"We have practiced for the last four or five weeks. They have been very good in training but when it comes to the final stages we miss it.

"I don't think we deserved to lose and I think the boys deserved better. But we lost the game and went out of the tournament and that hurts incredibly.

"We gave a good performance but we're out and that's very painful. I'm sorry for the players and very sorry for the fans, who have been fantastic, that we couldn't give them a final.

"I've been convinced for a long time this team can do it but we are out and Portugal are in so congratulations to Portugal."