Portugal vs Greece Euro 2004 Final

Lore & Background

The host nation lost the first game against Greece 1–2. They achieved their first win against Russia 2–0 and also beat Spain 1–0. They went on to play against England, in a 2–2 draw that went into penalties, with Portugal winning. Portugal beat the Netherlands 2–1.

In Their Own Story

The humid Lisbon air was thick with anticipation as the final whistle approached the hour mark. Cristiano Ronaldo, eyes wide with intensity, scanned for an opening that never came against the impenetrable Greek wall. When Angelos Charisteas rose above the defenders to meet the cross, time seemed to freeze in the Estádio da Luz. The roar of the crowd turned from a chant of hope into a stunned silence as the ball nestled into the net, sealing a historic upset.

Reader's Guide

Portugal finished first in Group A at Euro 2004, then defeated England on penalties in the quarter-finals and beat the Netherlands 2–1 in the semi-finals before losing the final 0–1 to Greece.

Did You Know?

• Greece scored four goals in the group stage: 2 vs Portugal, 1 vs Spain, 1 vs Russia.
• The final was decided by a header from Angelos Charisteas.