Scolari pays tribute to Portuguese spirit

Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari paid tribute to the “spirit of a nation” which he believes helped inspire his side to the historic victory over Spain.

The 1-0 triumph, courtesy of Nuno Gomes’ stunning second-half strike, kept alive the hosts’ Euro 2004 hopes and booked their place in the quarter-finals.

It was Portugal’s first win over their Iberian rivals for 23 years and saw them top Group A while Spain were dumped out of the competition.

“It was the fighting spirit, and the spirit of a whole nation that guided my team to victory,” said Scolari.

Goalkeeper Ricardo also admitted he was amazed by the backing Portugal have received from their fans.

“The support is increasing in this country,” he said.

“The people are putting more flags out, even after our defeat against Greece. That was extremely important and it gave us a lot of strength.”

Not surprisingly, the man receiving most of the plaudits is Gomes, whose clinical strike from the edge of the penalty sent the home fans into raptures.

“It was instinctive,” he said. “One of those things that you cannot explain. I had an opportunity to shoot, and I wasn’t afraid of missing.

“These games are decided in a fraction of a second. We were all expecting the ball to go in.

“We had many opportunities in the first half, but we suffered.”

Gomes starred at Euro 2000 and scored four goals – including a match-winner against England – as Portugal made it all the way to the last four but his reputation was somewhat tarnished by ugly scenes at the end of their semi-final defeat to France.

Gomes, Abel Xavier and Paulo Bento were hit with lengthy bans after being found guilty of physically and verbally intimidating the match officials while protesting the decision to award France their crucial penalty.

The referee ruled that the ball had hit Xavier’s hand and Zidane’s spot-kick, three minutes from the end of extra-time, was a golden goal.

Gomes went on to play for Fiorentina, but that also turned sour.

The debt-ridden Italian outfit were relegated from Serie A and Gomes was among the players who left, returning home to play for Benfica.

He has been an effective player at club level but often overlooked by Scolari, who has preferred to start with Pauleta.

But Pauleta’s suspension means Gomes will almost certainly be given the nod in the quarter-final, where Portugal will meet the runners-up of Group B.

France are expected to win that group but Pauleta insists Portugal will not be scared of a showdown with the reigning champions, even if it was for a place in the semis.

“If it has to be, it has to be,” said Gomes

“There is nothing we can do about it. France are an excellent team.

“I would prefer to meet them in the final. I think we have a team that can actually make it to the final, but there are other national teams that are good.

“We will want to get our revenge.”