FCBARCELONA.CAT

15.06.2008 22:55

Deco-less Portugal lose to Switzerland (2-0)

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With a team missing its big stars – including Barça’s Deco - Portugal lost 2-0 to Switzerland in a dead rubber for both teams.

Without Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo, Simao, Carvalho and Nuno Gomes in the starting XI, Portugal lost to co-hosts Switzerland who said goodbye to Euro 2008 with a good match and a win against one of the favourites for the title. Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari put out reserve players such as ex-Barça player Quaresma, Postiga and Meireles and rested his key stars before the quarter final.

Not much football but good chances

In the first half both sides had good chances even though the quality of the football was not up to much. The best one fell to Portugal in the 18th minute when Pepe sent a shot from the edge of the Swiss box onto the post. The Swiss could have scored in the 32nd minute but Ricardo stopped a powerful header from Yakin. The Portuguese claimed two penalties when Nani went over in the box in the 15th and 42nd minutes.

Switzerland dominate the second half

Portugal came out for the second half with more ambition, and in the 52nd minute Nani – the best player on his side – hit the post on the break. But then Switzerland took the game by the scruff of the neck. In the 62nd minute, Barnetta went close after an assist by Inler and two minutes later Inler himself saw his edge of the area pile driver slip just wide. The Swiss scored their first goal in the 71st minute when Hakan Yakin rounded off a fine pass from Derdiyok. Ten minutes later Fernando Meira brought down Barnetta in the box and Hakan Yakin made it 2-0.

Portugal and Turkey in the quarter finals

Portugal have finished first in Group A, tied on 6 points with Turkey who made it into the quarter finals after a heart-stopping 3-2 win over the Czech Republic in which the Turks came back from being 0-2 down.