England Disappoints Again
EINDHOVEN, Netherlands — England made yet another weak start in the European Championships on Monday, squandering an early two-goal lead and losing, 3-2, to Portugal.
The last victory by the English in a foreign country in this tournament came in 1980, and they have never won their opening game in the showcase event.
“We threw it away,” England Coach Kevin Keegan said. “You go 2-0 up and you’ve got to fancy your chances of going on to win the game.”
In the day’s other game in the 16-team field, three-time champion Germany escaped with a 1-1 tie with Romania in Liege, Belgium. Today, in Group C, it’s Spain against Norway and Yugoslavia playing Slovenia.
The English seemed in command of the Group A game, with crosses by David Beckham setting up a goal by Paul Scholes in the third minute and another by Steve McManaman in the 18th.
“We thought it was Christmas,” England midfielder Paul Ince. “But we let them come back at us.”
The Portuguese were even by halftime behind a 30-yard strike by Luis Figo and a diving header by Joao Pinto.
The winning goal came midway through the second half, with Nuno Gomes scoring off a defense-splitting pass by Rui Costa.
“This is one of Portugal’s greatest victories,” former Portuguese great Eusebio said. “The team showed great pride, great heart. I’m so happy.”
The German team, like the English, clearly had its troubles. Showing little enterprise, the Germans fell behind after five minutes on a goal by Viorel Moldovan before Mehmet Scholl tied it near halftime with a swerving 20-yard shot.
“That first goal shocked us,” German captain Oliver Bierhoff said.
The German defense looked disorganized despite 39-year-old veteran Lothar Matthaeus. The New York/New Jersey MetroStar defender, playing for his country for the 148th time, barely made a contribution.
The tournament’s only unrest came in The Hague, where police arrested 18 Dutch fans who broke windows or ignored orders to disperse in celebrations following the team’s opening 1-0 victory Sunday over the Czech Republic.
