Ronaldo leads Portuguese dance

When Luiz Felipe Scolari was coach of Brazil, he would look to inspire his players with quotations from The Art of War by Sun Tzu, the work of a Chinese general written in the fourth century BC.

Attacking change
He is not thought to have used the same tactic since taking charge of Portugal but he must have said something right to his players ahead of this derby and a half against neighbours Spain. Arguably more important than his words, however, was his bravery in selecting winger Cristiano Ronaldo, a substitute in Portugal's two previous matches, for only his second start for his country, in place of Simão Sabrosa.

Ronaldo role
It was not the first big decision made by Scolari since the opening defeat by Greece. This tournament was supposed to be the last hurrah of Portugal's golden generation yet already Fernando Couto and Rui Costa have dropped to the bench and tonight Ronaldo, Luís Figo's likely successor as Portugal's sorcerer-in-chief, was given his chance. He even took Figo's place on the right, the Portugal captain moving to the left, although the pair switched to and fro as the match developed.

Familiar surroundings
The setting of the Estádio José Alvalade was appropriate as it was here, in the stadium's inaugural match last August, that Ronaldo's mastery of Manchester United FC full-back John O'Shea prompted the Old Trafford club to pay Sporting Clube de Portugal €17.5m for him.

Early impetus
Ronaldo certainly looked at home at his old club's ground. He signalled his intentions ten minutes in, skipping down the right followed closely by three Spanish defenders, an advance halted only by Raúl Bravo's foul. Moments later, the Spanish left-back thought he had done enough to shepherd the ball out for a goal-kick, only for Ronaldo to rescue it, leave the defender on his backside and fire in a low cross.

Ball skills
Ronaldo's quick feet dance with the ball and before opponents can anticipate his next move, he is past them. On 26 minutes, he left Vicente Rodríguez rooted to the spot on the edge of the box, skipped past Raúl Bravo and supplied Figo whose shot was blocked by a defender.

Deco artistry
The 19-year-old was enjoying himself and he should really have given Portugal the lead on the stroke of half-time but headed wide from Figo's cross. Ronaldo was quieter in the second period - when the woodwork denied Spain twice - but fortunately for the hosts he is not the only Portugal player with the gift of leaving a defender for dead. Deco, in particular, who was voted Man of the Match, and Figo both showed splendid touches yet until the introduction of Nuno Gomes, there remained no end product.

Well-struck winner
This is often a criticism of Portugal. It was the same four years ago ahead of UEFA EURO 2000™ - and then Nuno Gomes came along. Here lightning struck twice. The SL Benfica striker came off the bench in place of Pauleta to score the winning goal after 57 minutes, collecting the ball with his back to goal, turning and launching a low shot past the left hand of Iker Casillas. Four years ago, his goal completed the thrilling comeback victory against England - a first against those opponents in 14 years - that gave Portugal the impetus to go all the way to the semi-finals.

Jubilant scenes
Portugal had waited even longer - 23 years to the day - to beat Spain and the way the car horns were honking long into the Lisbon night tells that their supporters are now dreaming of another such adventure. Spain are eliminated but for the hosts, the party goes on.