Ten-man England were sent crashing out of the World Cup on Saturday, losing a penalty shoot-out to Portugal after a controversy packed quarterfinal battle.
Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive spot-kick to hand Portugal a 3-1 shoot-out victory and shatter England’s dream of a first World Cup for 40 years.
England’s players, who saw star striker Wayne Rooney dramatically sent off and skipper David Beckham tearfully substituted in the second half, were left in shellshock as Portugal celebrated at the AufSchalke Arena.
Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher all saw penalties saved by Portugal keeper Ricardo, while Simao and substitute Helder Postiga netted Portugal’s other penalties.
Portugal, who beat England on spot-kicks at Euro 2004, will now face either France or Brazil in Wednesday’s semifinal in Munich while England were left to contemplate their fifth exit on penalties in eight tournaments since 1990.
It was also the third time in three tournaments that England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson had seen his side beaten by a team coached by Brazilian World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari.
After a relatively incident-free first half, the match exploded into life in the opening 15 minutes of the second period, with legitimate English claims for a penalty turned down, captain Beckham substituted and Rooney sent off.
The penalty appeal claim came on 50 minutes when Beckham’s cross from the edge of the area hit Nuno Valente’s arm. Despite strong England claims, Argentinean referee Horacio Elizondo waved play on.
Beckham, who had appeared to hurt an ankle in an earlier challenge from Valente, was substituted shortly afterwards.
The Real Madrid midfielder was replaced by winger Aaron Lennon on 52 minutes and could be seen in tears as he sat dejectedly in the dug-out. Tottenham teenager Lennon made an immediate impact, however.
England should have taken the lead after a brilliant run down the right flank by Lennon, who beat two men and cut back, only for Rooney and Joe Cole to both fail to connect on 59 minutes.
But just when it looked as if Lennon’s introduction might have turned the game England’s way, Rooney saw red in a decision that is bound to be the subject of furious debate.
Rooney appeared to have been fouled by Portugal centre-half Ricardo Carvalho but, as he battled to break clear, he rashly sunk his boot into the Chelsea player’s groin, sparking a melee.
Portugal’s players surrounded referee Elizondo, who hesitated before producing a red card, stunning England’s players.
England’s bench reacted furiously with the substituted Beckham having to be restrained as he gesticulated angrily from the touchline.
A stunned Rooney trudged off disconsolately as Eriksson scrambled to reorganise, hauling off Joe Cole for gangling striker Peter Crouch as England switched to 4-4-1.
Rooney’s dismissal signalled the start of a sustained Portuguese onslaught, and England had keeper Paul Robinson to thank for a superb save from Luis Figo on 78 minutes that kept them in the match.
Robinson had to be on his toes again moments later with a low save from a fierce drive by Hugo Viana.
England clung on desperately but could have taken the lead after Lennon was fouled near the edge of the area. A thunderous 25-yard free-kick from Lampard was parried by Ricardo as far as Lennon, who just failed to connect with his follow-up.
Amazingly England might have even snatched victory in injury time. The tireless Owen Hargreaves broke down the left but his low cross was scooped over the bar by centre-half John Terry.
With neither side managing to make the breakthrough, Elizondo signalled for extra-time and 30 tension-filled minutes followed as England produced another one of their famous rearguard actions.
Extra-time saw England continue to look for a goal on the counter-attack, but it was Portugal who had the best chances, a 102nd-minute strike from Simao stopped by Robinson, while three minutes later Ronaldo just clipped the bar.
Portugal put the English goal under unbearable pressure in the final minutes of extra-time but were unable to find a breakthrough, ensuring the spot-kick drama. — AFP
