Memorable moments: at EURO 2004, Portugal’s Ricardo took off the gloves, then decided the shootout against England

A totally unprecedented act, unprecedented in football. At EURO 2004, Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo saved the home team’s progress to the final, most notably in the quarter-final against England.

Portugal went into EURO 2004 at home with high hopes that things could finally go right and the Iberian nation could win its first international gold.

The squad included young superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and stars like Figo, Deco and Rui Costa. And in goal, Ricardo, who showed his importance especially in the knockout phase.

Portugal fell in a shocking defeat to Greece in the opening game, but that only gave them a boost, then they beat Russia 2-0 and also beat Spain, eventually advancing from first place to the quarter-finals.

There the Portuguese faced England. The home team was trailing from the 3rd minute, but Postiga equalised just before the end. Rui Costa sent the Portuguese ahead in extra time, but Lampard equalised in the 115th minute.

It came down to penalties, which offered one memorable moment after another. David Beckham wanted to lead by example and took the first penalty. But he was fouled by the white dot and blasted his effort high over. Then Deco, Owen, Simao and Lampard converted and Rui Costa could have put the Portuguese back in front.

But the number 10 star also shot over the bar to level the scores after the third series. Subsequently, Terry, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Maniche, Cole and Postiga scored.

Before the seventh series, Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo wanted to make a difference. Having cashed in five penalties in a row, he needed to do something different. He thought he’d take the gloves off.

The whole stadium was shocked when Darius Vassell put the ball on the penalty spot and Ricardo stood in goal with his bare hands. But this crazy move worked and Ricardo caught the penalty heading for his left post.

And to complete the tale, the decisive penalty was taken by goalkeeper Ricardo himself. He headed the ball towards the bar, David James failed to reach it and the Portuguese goalkeeper’s heroic performance sent the home team into the EURO semi-finals.

Even in the semi-final, Portugal outclassed the Netherlands and advanced to the final. There, however, they sadly succumbed to the unpopular Greece, who fought their way to the triumph of a lifetime.

Source: Youtube, UEFA