Scolari leads Portugal to victory in Battle of Nuremberg

By Nicholas Rigillo Jun 26, 2006, 0:33 GMT

Netherland\'s Wesley Sneijder (C) pushes Portugal\'s Petit during the 2nd round match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup between Portugal and the Netherlands in Nuremberg, Germany, Sunday 25 June 2006. EPA/ALEXANDER RUESCHE

Nuremberg The red victors danced joyously around the field as the enemy's white shirts fell to the ground in despair.

This was the final scene of Sunday's epic Round of 16 clash at the Franken Stadion between Portugal and the Netherlands, which may well be remembered one day as the Battle of Nuremberg.

Portugal prevailed thanks to a single goal in the 23rd minute. Thereafter, it was shoves and pushes, violent tackles and unsporting behaviour from both sides.

Fans expecting spectacular football from two of the most attacking sides in the tournament might be forgiven for mistaking it for a wrestling match.

A total of 16 yellow cards and four red cards - a new record in World Cup history - were shown by Russian referee Valentin Ivanov.

Goalscorer Maniche said he did not think it was a violent game, but his Brazilian coach, Felipe Scolari, thought otherwise.

'It was like a war,' Scolari told reporters after the match.

If it indeed was a war, then there is no doubt as to who its heroes were.

Maniche was the fearless lieutenant, Figo the cunning captain and Deco the brave commander ready to sacrifice himself in the middle of the field.

On the sides, but never far from the action, General Scolari imparted his orders and urged his troops to resist when faced with a seemingly overwhelming one-man disadvantage.

The victory handed Portugal its best World Cup result since 1966, when the great Eusebio steered them to the semi-finals.

But it came at a price.

Portugal will have to face England without two of its most talented players, playmaker Deco and defender Costinha, who were both sent off and will be suspended in the quarter-finals.

Another Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo, was forced to limp off the pitch after just 33 minutes and may not be able to recover in time for Saturday's match in Gelsenkirchen.

Even so, Portugal can be proud that the so-called 'golden generation' of players that came to light in the early 1990s is finally beginning to deliver after so many disappointments, most notably their defeat against Greece in the 2004 European Championship final, played on home soil.

'Many years have passed since we last saw a team fight so much for Portugal,' Scolari said. 'This was a truly heroic victory, and now we want to equal the fantastic result of 1966 by fighting with heroism.'