portugal progress as group d winners published: monday 6 october 2003, 11.20cet
both sides progressed to the quarter-finals but portugal did so as group d winners after a splendid display against a much-changed croatia side.
portugal cruised into the quarter-finals with a comfortable 3-0 win against already-qualified croatia.
miroslav blaževic's team had won their first two fixtures to reach the last eight with room to spare and therefore fielded a much-changed side. though that decision eased their opponents' task, portugal more than played a part by applying some clever finishing to their intricate build-up play for the first time in the tournament. luís figo was first to find the target after just four minutes, with joão pinto adding a second on 33 minutes and domingos completing the scoring late on.
figo was in instrumental form from the off, neatly side-footing in secretário's excellent right-wing cross to ease the early pressure on his side. the fc barcelona winger was also involved in portugal's second; fernando couto headed back his corner and sá pinto's attempted overhead kick fell to pinto, who showed admirable composure to beat marijan mrmić from seven metres.
though the second-half arrival of the likes of davor šuker bolstered croatia, they still conceded a lax third with eight minutes left when domingos steered in a low shot following a defensive mix-up involving dubravko pavličić and igor štimac. croatia had surrendered top spot in group d and would now find themselves up against germany in the last eight, with portugal pitted against the czech republic.
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