Portugal stunned by Greece in openning game of Euro 2004

Host Portugal lose to Greece 1-2

Hosts Portugal were defeated 1-2 by unfancied Greece at the openning game of Euro 2004, putting their hope of winning the Euro 2004 in danger.

Greece shocked the Portuguese fans after 7 minutes when Georgios Karagounis pounced on a Paulo Ferreira mistake to open the scoring.

Angelos Basinas converted a penalty just after half-time to make it 2-0 following Cristiano Ronaldo's clumsy foul on Giourkas Seitaridis.

Portugal beated by Greece 2-1 in Euro

Thousands of expectant home fans packed into Porto's Estadio do Dragao, but their team appeared hamstrung by nerves.

Greece carved out the first clearcut chance after just a minute, Angelos Haristeas failing to reach Zisis Vryzas's cross from the right, and six minutes later, the Portugals were stunned when Greece opened the scoring.

Chelsea transfer target Ferreira gave the ball away to Karagounis who was allowed a free run on goal before he despatched a sweet strike into the bottom left-hand corner.

Portugal lose to Greece

Haristeas sliced his shot after being put through by another defensive mistake by Portugal, and Panagiotis Fyssas saw his volley fly well over the bar.

Portugal finally began to find their feet, after they changed their attacking from the left of the field to the right.

And on 26 minutes, Rui Costa should have been celebrating the equaliser but after Ferreira found him unmarked in the box, the AC Milan midfielder could only direct his header tamely wide.

Portugal continued to have more of the ball but were let down by a lack of urgency in the final third of the pitch.

But just after half an hour, Greek keeper Antonios Nikopolidis bravely dived at Sabrosa Simao's feet as the midfielder looked to apply the finishing touch after turning his marker.

Portugal's coach Luis Felipe Scolari responded to a lacklustre first half by replacing Simao and the ineffectual Rui Costa with Deco and Ronaldo.

Ronaldo made a clumsy challenge on Seitaridis and Basinas confidently stroked the resulting penalty into the top right-hand corner.

Even two goals behind, Portugal's lone striker Pauleta remained isolated up front and Greece's defence had a relatively easy task.

With 12 minutes remaining, Deco might have put Greece under pressure but after shaking off his marker, he sent a powerful strike high and wide.

Ronaldo converted a Figo cross in injury-time but it was too late to save his side and Portugal left the pitch with their championship hopes in danger after just one game.