MATCH 17 REPORT : NUNO GOMES LIGHTS UP LISBON

Long wait
The significance of the occasion where Portugal needed a win and Spain only a draw denied the fans a truly wonderful derby, but Nuno Gomes' goal finally ended a 23-year wait for the Portuguese to put one over their old adversaries. Portugal advance to the last eight as group winners, while Greece finish second in Group A with Spain eliminated in third.

Key switch
The only goal came at a moment when Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was desperately trying to shuffle his attacking options as his side struggled to breach a stubborn Spanish defence which had been equal to everything Portugal threw at them. With Nuno Gomes introduced for Pauleta at the interval, the switch paid instant dividends as Luís Figo found the substitute, who unleashed a right-footed shot from 18 metres that beat Iker Casillas low to his right.

Ronaldo start
Scolari made only one change to the side that defeated Russia 2-0 as Cristiano Ronaldo's impressive performance after his introduction in that game was rewarded with his inclusion in the starting lineup, only the second time he had started a match for his country. Simão Sabrosa dropped to the bench.

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