Portugal win after Russia get their keeper sent off

Am i right in thinking now that Portugal and Spain can only both go through from group A if they draw their next game, and Greece lose to Russia. Portugal would go through second on goal difference, otherwise Greece will be second place if Spain or Portugal win. A draw or win against Russia puts Greece through too

/me head explodes

Spain 4 pts
Greece 4 pts
Portugal 3 pts

Realisticaly Portugal have to beat Spain and knock them out if they want to come 2nd cos Greece will beat Russia who don't have anything to play for, have run out of centre backs, and aren't as good as them anyway.

The Portuguese team selection was a bit more sensible this time, though why Simao (who mainly good at falling over) continues to start ahead of Ronaldo puzzles me. At his age Rui Costa's best suited to being a sub - for their sake I hope he is against Spain.

The Portuguese touts can't be very good - witness all the empty seats in the Russian areas of the stadium

The Portugese were a big improvement over their opening game. But they still miss that killer instinct going forward right now, and if they dont find it soon (ie next game) they wont win the tournament.

Figo looked a bit more like the Figo we all know this time, and Rui Costa is, i agree, more suited to bit parts in games now. Deco is his appropriate (an more talented) replacement. Also i again agree with Greeb that i cant believe how Simao gets picked over Ronaldo !! Ronaldo causes that many problems for opposition defences that he practically picks himself for the team (well thats how it should work).

Well the poor Russians though, they looked very plain, disorganised and their lone striker was very very isolated. But a pat on the back to them though for the way they applied theirselves, after they lost there goalie they dug their heels in and made it hard for Portugal, even if they never threatened to equalise

Anyway heres hoping the Spain vs Portugal game is as good as it promises to be !

Portugal did look a very good side in this match. They were more clinical, and much better going forward. Figo looked closer to the 'World Class' player he was a few years ago, but I still think he's past it.

To go through, Portugal have to either beat Spain, and finish the group on 6 points, or get a draw and hope Russia hammer Greece.

I agree that Rui Costa should start as a sub.He has consistently underachieved for Milan for the past couple of seasons.His goal might see him sneak back in however,especially as Luis Figo,who obviously carries a bit of clout with the management,would rather have him in than the 'foreigner' Deco.It's a shame,but Portugal are looking doomed now,because Russia wont do fuck all against Greece and Spain will be strong enough to get the draw they need.But good luck to Greece,they've got the results and fully deserve their place in the quarters.

Portugal seem to be really stuggling and all the pressure as the host nation seems to be too much. Figo looks like he has had enough and at the end when he was walking off the pitch he looked like a condemned man not like someone who was happy his team had just won.

If Rui Costa gets back in the starting line up now because of the goal, the Portugese coach will need shooting. Deco is by far the in form player and you cant have both in the starting line up as the like to occupy the same position. When Rui Costa came on, I watched to see how many times he and Deco exchanged a pass, and it was a grand total of zero, even when it would have been the sensible option to have done so.

It will need Figo to really be on top form if Portugal are going to beat Spain, because everyone takes the lead from him.

I only saw the end 20 minutes of this match so I only saw the 2nd goal... it was a beauty but they are still playing like girls.
Watch out for Nuno Gomez he will be kicking ass!