nené puts portugal into last four published: saturday 4 october 2003, 11.35cet
having come on to win a record 65th portugal cap, nené volleyed in a late winner to put his country into the semi-finals.
made to sweat until nine minutes from time, portugal finally found a way past romania to book their place in the last four.
both teams needed to win to have a realistic chance of reaching the semi-finals, but neither looked prepared to take the necessary risks. nené climbed off the bench to earn his 65th cap – a new portugal record – and broke the deadlock with nine minutes remaining to put his team through.
fernando cabrita's team could have been in front far earlier had 15th-minute substitute diamantino's shot snuck inside a post, instead of against it, after deflecting off dumitru moraru's chest. fernando gomes, so prolific in club football, then prodded a straightforward chance straight at moraru.
the goal finally arrived when frasco's cross from the right found nené, who, having deftly dropped back into space in the penalty area, volleyed into the ground and past moraru. it proved sufficient for portugal, whose tireless approach – complemented by the flair of chalana – was just about worthy of a place in the latter stages. france in the last four, however, would represent a step up in class.
