Portugal win a thriller
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Article summary
Austria 3-6 Portugal Portugal move into the final with an extra-time victory against Austria.
Article body
Two penalty saves
Portugal fought back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 before substitute Lukas Mössner's late strike for ten-man Austria forced extra time. Austria, who lost Mario Bolter to a red card on 80 minutes, were left to rue two penalty saves by Portugal goalkeeper Paulo Ribeiro in normal time.
Impressive start
The Austrians impressed in the opening period, their skilful midfield players breaking forward in support of big striker Kienast. Klaus Salmutter opened the scoring on 24 minutes when, after riding challenges from Rodrigo Angelo and João Pedro, from a narrow angle he flashed a shot under Paulo Ribeiro and inside the far post.
Portugal lifeline
It was 2-0 on 28 minutes when René Schickler fired in a low cross from the right and Salmutter turned the ball past Paulo Ribeiro. Portugal - who recovered a two-goal deficit to draw with Norway - were handed a lifeline on 31 minutes. Paulo Sérgio went down under Thomas Lechner's challenge and Hugo Almeida tucked away the penalty.
Organista scores
Lechner then headed a Paulo Sérgio lob off the line before Organista made it 2-2 on 38 minutes, driving a fierce shot high to Almer's right from 20 metres. Austria could have reclaimed the lead before the break but Paulo Ribeiro saved Martin Lassnig's weak spot-kick, after Daniel was adjudged to have fouled Kienast.
Säumel denied
On 54 minutes Portugal scored again when Paulo Sérgio cut infield from the left and whipped a fierce shot into the top left-hand corner from 20 metres. And they were celebrating again on 70 minutes when Paulo Ribeiro saved Salmutter's spot-kick after João Pedro's foul on the same player.
Kienast forces extra time
Austria refused to lie down and, despite Bolter's dismissal, Mössner turned the ball home from a low cross to make it 3-3 four minutes later. Into extra time and Portugal finally killed off Austrian hopes. Substitute Pedro Pereira collected a pass from Flávio Igor and slipped the ball under Almer on 99 minutes. A Paulo Sérgio penalty made it 5-3 and Pedro Pereira's second goal merely salted the wound.
