So, England have crashed out of Euro 2004 in the cruellest possible way, yet again, on a penalty shootout.
Michael Owen gave us all hope in the 3rd minute when he made it 1-0. Portugal then battled for 80 minutes and to be fair were the better team and eventually got an equaliser in the 83rd minute from Helder Postiga.
This is where things get frustrating… on the 89th minute Sol Campbell hits the crossbar but gets the ball in the net on the rebound in a undisputable goal. Undisputable unless you’re a referee who disallowed it! I’m by no means a bad loser, but we deserved to win after that goal!!
Extra time beckoned with the score at 1-1. Portugal scared England by making it 2-1 with a goal from Rui Costa but things looked better for England when Frank Lampard made it 2-2.
England headed for a penalty shootout. David Beckham took the first penalty – and missed! This just summed up this Euro 2004 campaign – rubbish! Why is he playing for England let alone Captain!!??
Portugal missed 1 penalty and it went to sudden death. Daris Vassell had a penalty for England saved and the Portuguese keeper took the following one and won the game.
All in all disappointing although the England squad did us proud and we look forward to the World Cup in 2006. The only negative was David Beckham.
Also, without wanting to dwell on it, if we had a better referee we would have won the game!
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