Portugal sail past Lithuania
Reuters, Setubal (Portugal)
Portugal eased to a 4-1 victory over Lithuania on Saturday in a satisfying final warm-up match before they begin their quest for a home victory at Euro 2004.A header from Fernando Couto and a deft finish from Pauleta Resendes put Luiz Felipe Scolari's side 2-0 up by the 13th minute. Lithuania got a goal back after 74 minutes with a penalty from Donatas Vencevicius but Nuno Gomes scored with nine minutes to go and Helder Postiga headed in injury time to complete a comfortable win for the home side. Scolari fielded what is likely to be his starting line-up when the hosts get the tournament underway with a Group A match against Greece on June 12 in Porto. Portugal were ahead as early as the third minute when Luis Figo swung over a corner and Couto headed in at the near post. Pauleta latched on to a long clearance over the top from goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira to make it 2-0 in the simplest of styles and with better finishing Scolari's side would have scored many more. Lithuania had one chance at the end of the first half, Ricardo making a smart save from Roberto Poskus, and the visitors eventually pulled one back when Beto Severo mistimed a tackle on Poskus, Vencevi-cius blasting in the penalty.
|