Portugal renew rivalry
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ByEurosport
Published 03/07/2006 at 20:32 GMT
Portugal will renew their rivalry with France on Wednesday as the two sides who met in a fiery Euro 2000 semi-final clash again, this time with a place in the World Cup final at stake.
FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup England-Portugal Scolari
Image credit: Reuters
There will be a real edge to the encounter at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday, and since the explosive match six years ago, there has not been a great deal of love lost between the sides.
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FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup England England-Portugal Portugal celebrate
Image credit: Reuters
"The rivalry is enormous, the 2000 game has stuck in our throats a bit," Portugal striker Helder Postiga said on Monday.
"The way we lost was frustrating. We started well and thought we would win. I hope the story is different this time."
Their last meeting in a major competition saw France triumph when they came back from a goal down, a Zinedine Zidane golden goal penalty deep in extra time sealing a 2-1 victory.
The Portuguese were so aggrieved about the manner in which they lost, a number of their players manhandled the referee after Zidane fired home, and a rush of blood to Abel Xavier's head resulted in an eventual six month ban for the defender.
DECO RETURNS
So now Portugal will be out for revenge, and with playmaker Deco and influential defender Costinha returning to the starting line-up after suspension, Luiz Felipe Scolari's side will be a force to be reckoned with.
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FOOTBALL Euro 2004 Portugal Deco Scolari
Image credit: Imago
England think themselves unlucky not to be facing the French in the semi-final after Cristiano Ronaldo's decisive shootout penalty sent them packing at the weekend, but it is results that matter, and it is the Portuguese who are still in the competition.
"We knew we were good enough to get here and we've done it on our own merit," defender Miguel said.
RESPECT
Revenge may be the word on the tip of everyone's lips in the build-up to the match, but there is still a great deal of respect between the two sides.
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FOOTBALL Mundial 2006 Helder Postiga1
Image credit: EFE
"We've great respect for France but, on Wednesday, we're going for a victory as usual."
"The campaign has been excellent and it has not finished yet. Our idea is to get to the final and then see what happens.
"It's a long time since Portugal have been in a situation like this," he added. "It's an important moment for us, for all the Portuguese and we don't want to let them or us down."
ZIDANE-FIGO BATTLE IS KEY
Rest assured, the Portugal who step onto the turf in Munich are sure to be a different side from the one that England faced on Saturday, when Scolari's side lacked attacking ambition and the nous to break down the last line of defenders.
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FOOTBALL 2000 Portugal France Zidane Figo
Image credit: Imago
Returning Barcelona playmaker Deco has more than enough talent to open up defences, and the outcome of the match will have a great deal to do with who can gain the upper hand in midfield.
"Deco's our magician, he's the player who can see a pass that other's don't see," he said.
But if Portugal have Deco, France have Zidane, who, in the throes of retirement from the game, has turned back the clock to show signs he has become once again the kind of player who won the World Cup eight years ago.
"There's nobody who treats the ball like he does," enthused Miguel. "I hope he keeps a low profile."
Follow all the action LIVE right here on eurosport.com from 21:00 cet on Wednesday!
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