Scolari makes four changes for Portugal

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari wielded the axe as his side went into their life-or-death Group A clash with Russia at the Estadio da Luz.

Defenders Paulo Ferreira, Fernando Couto and Rui Jorge all made way after the shock 2-1 defeat by Greece, with Miguel, Nuno Valente and Ricardo Carvalho drafted in at the back.

Midfielder Rui Costa also missed out, with Brazilian-born Deco handed the chance to make his mark from the start.

Spain’s 1-1 draw with Greece in Porto meant defeat in a game described by Scolari as “kill-kill” would see the hosts eliminated from the tournament, although the Russians too made changes, two of them enforced.

Having sent veteran midfielder Aleksandr Mostovoi home after he crticised his training methods, coach Georgi Yartsev replaced him with the talented Dmitri Loskov, while Alexei Bugaev came in for the suspended Roman Sharonov and Andrei Karyaka got the nod in midfield ahead of Rolan Gusev.

Russia: Ovchinnikov, Evseev, Smertin, Bugaev, Sennikov, Alenitchev, Aldonin, Loskov, Kariaka, Izmailov, Kerzhakov.

Subs: Akinfeev, Aniukov, Boulykin, Bystrov, Gusev, Kirichenko, Malafeev, Radimov, Semshov, Sychev.

Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Andrade, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Figo, Maniche, Deco, Simao, Pauleta.

Subs: Beto, Couto, Moreira, Nuno Gomes, Paulo Ferreira, Petit, Postiga, Quim, Ronaldo, Rui Costa, Rui Jorge, Tiago.

Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)