Portugal comeback stuns Sweden

Substitute winner
The visitors, under caretaker coach Agostinho Oliveira for what is expected to be the last time, rested leading players Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Pedro Pauleta until the final ten minutes. And Rui Costa became the hero of the night, producing the winning goal two minutes from the end.

Hedman rested
Sweden, who opened their EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign with draws against Latvia and Hungary, played without injured first-choice goalkeeper Magnus Hedman and rested midfield player Fredrik Ljungberg and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Early lead
But even without those stars they made a fine start. Jörgen Pettersson put Sweden in the lead in only the sixth minute, running onto a deep pass from Marcus Allbäck and shooting past Portuguese goalkeeper Quim from 15 metres.

Allbäck first to rebound

Gap narrowed
Portugal pulled one back ten minutes later after Swedish central defender Michael Svensson pulled down winger Marco Ferreira inside the box. Sérgio Conceição made no mistake from the penalty spot and came close to equalising in the 43rd minute when his shot from outside the box sailed over Sweden's out-of-position goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson but hit the crossbar.

Romeu equaliser
Eight minutes into the second half, Romeu levelled the scores when he headed in a rebound after Dick Last, on for Isaksson, could only punch away Nuno Valente's long distance shot.

Late clincher
And Last was beaten again at the end when Rui Costa's long-range shot took him by surprise, and gave Oliveira a win to remember as he prepares for his anticipated return to the reins of the Portugal Under-21 side.