Costinha's last-gasp header puts Portugal in quarterfinals

ARNHEM (HOLLAND), JUNE 18. Substitute Costinha headed a goal in the fourth minute of injury time against Romania to propel Portugal into the last eight of Euro 2000 on Saturday.

The two teams, who both favour a patient, passing style, cancelled each other out until the final seconds of a Group A game played out in midfield and lacking in goalmouth incident.

Costinha, who had been on the pitch only six minutes, beat the Romanian defence to a Luis Figo free kick to head his first goal for his country in only his third appearance.

Romania's Gheorghe Hagi picked up a booking in the 16th minute for a foul on Joao Pinto. The veteran playmaker, in his last major international tournament, will now miss the final group game against England - which Romania has to win to have a chance of reaching the last eight - and could have played his final match for his country.

The result leaves Portugal on top of Group A with six points from two matches while Romania has one point. Germany and England are the other two teams in the group.

Portugal had begun their Euro campaign with a spectacular 3-2 comeback win over England while Romania drew 1-1 with defending champion Germany in its opening encounter.

As well as Hagi, French referee Gilles Veissiere also cautioned Romanians Dan Petrescu and Cosmin Contra and Portugal's Luis Figo in a first half dominated by his whistle.

Figo and Rui Costa, outstanding against England, never really got into their stride as they were closed down by Romanians whenever they got the ball.

Portugal changed its attack early in the second half, withdrawing Nuno Gomes and Joao Pinto, who had both scored against England. They were replaced by Sa Pinto and Sergio Conceicao in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Hagi tried a spectacular volley from a long Petrescu pass in the 64th minute but his effort landed among the Romanian fans behind the goal. Sa Pinto did at least get an effort on target for Portugal but his header was too weak to trouble Romanian goalkeeper Bogdan Stelea.

Sa Pinto then had claims for a penalty waved away after he took a tumble when chasing a cross. In the 86th minute Hagi had the best chance for Romania, forcing Vitor Baia into a superb save from a dipping 20 metre shot.

Veissiere signalled four minutes of injury time after a game full of crunching tackles and in the dying moments Figo whipped a free kick in from the left of the area and midfielder Costinha headed home from six metres to help his team join Italy, France and Holland in the quarterfinals.

- Reuters

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