Saturday, 4th September 2010
Portugal failed to get their Euro 2012 campaign off to a winning start last night, sensationally drawing 4-4 with Cyprus in Guimaraes. The hosts saw Cyprus bag an 89th minute leveller just when they thought they had seen off the spirited visitors.
Cyprus had come out of the blocks firing and took the lead after just three minutes; Portugal soon responded though, levelling in the 8th minute. However, the game soon became like two boxers trading blows as Cyprus hit back to take the lead in the 11th minute and the hosts were stunned.
Portugal managed to find the net again in the 29th minute through Liverpool new boy Raul Meireles to ensure it was 2-2 at half time.
In the second half the blows were traded again as this time Portugal took the lead, then Cyprus hit back, and Portugal once more. By the time it was 4-3 with just minutes to go, Portugal could have been forgiven for thinking they had done enough. But up popped Andreas Avraam with just one minute left as the spirited Cypriots got the draw they deserved.
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