Angelos Charisteas was again the hero for the Greeks as he headed them in front from a corner just before the hour mark, while goalkeeper Antonis Nikopolidis made a number of crucial saves to keep his side’s dreams alive of achieving European glory.
It was a repeat of the tournament’s opening game as Otto Rehhagel again masterminded a phenomenal result over the favourites in front of a partisan crowd to guide his troops to the coveted Henry Delauney trophy after they had previously never won a match in a major finals.
As expected the hosts dictated the play in the opening minutes with Maniche and Cristiano Ronaldo prominent in the midfield, but the final ball was lacking.
Pauleta had a sniff in the third minute after swapping passes with Deco on the edge of the area, but Thoe Zagorakis got back to make a timely challenge to rob the PSG striker of possession.
Two minutes later Deco set up a shooting chance for Ronaldo after some neat passing between the two midfielders, but the Manchester United winger saw his shot from 30 yards blocked by Michalis Kapsis.
Spectators at the Estadio da Luz had to wait 13 minutes to see the first shot on target which came from Luis Miguel after Ricardo Carvalho, Deco and Maniche had all taken a touch before the ball came out the full-back on the right-wing.
The Benfica defender charged down the right-flank before unleashing a stinging shot across the face of goal from the edge of the area, but keeper Nikopolidis was equal to the task turning the ball around his right post.
His opposite number Alexandre Ricardo had to be alert moments later as good link-up play between the Greeks just outside the Portuguese area set up a chance for Angelos Charisteas, but the keeper raced off his line to make a brave block from eight yards.
Then Pauleta tried his luck from 25 yards after receiving a long-ball on the left-flank before cutting inside to create space for a shot, but his low effort was gathered at his right post by Nikopolidis at the second attempt.
Maniche was next to have a go from distance after Deco’s right-wing corner was partially cleared by Traianos Dellas to the edge of the area, but the Porto midfielder flashed his shot a few feet wide of Nikopolidis’ right post from 20 yards.
Pauleta blazed over from 35 yards for the hosts before a long ball from Dellas on the right picked out Stelios Giannakopoulos on the edge of the area on 40 minutes, but the Bolton man sent a looping header way over the crossbar.
Portugal again had the better of the opening exchanges in the second half, but it was Greece that took a surprise lead on 57 minutes.
Giorgos Seitaridis won a corner from Ronaldo on the right which was swung in by Angelos Basinas and Charisteas got to the ball ahead of Costinha to head home from six yards for his third goal of the tournament, but by far his most important.
Nikopolidis made a crucial stop to deny Ronaldo two minutes later to keep his side in front after the teenager had been teed up by Pauleta from 25 yards on the left, but his low shot was well-saved by the keeper low to his right.
Then Figo was next to test the keeper from just inside the area after receiving the ball from Rui Costa on the right, but his shot was straight at Nikopolidis, who made an easy save.
A blocked shot from Maniche found its way to Rui Costa just outside the area on 72 minutes, but the AC Milan man saw his shot drift a few feet wide of Nikopolidis’ left post.
Moments later Ronaldo escaped the offside trap after being released by a long ball from Rui Costa, but after showing good control to bring the pass down he blazed over from 10 yards with just the keeper to beat.
Rui Costa again tried his luck from distance two minutes later, but his shot from 30 yards flew way over the bar and Figo had a late chance to take the contest to extra-time after slicing his way into the area, but he sent his snap-shot inches wide of the left post.
It was the last chance of the game for Portugal as Markus Merk sounded the final whistle moments later to send Greece into ecstasy and break Portuguese hearts.
Teams
Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Andrade, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Maniche, Costinha, Ronaldo, Deco, Figo, Pauleta. Subs: Moreira, Quim, Couto, Beto, Nuno Gomes, Paulo Ferreira, Petit, Postiga, Rui Costa, Rui Jorge, Simao, Tiago.Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fissas, Zagorakis, Katsouranis, Basinas, Giannakopoulos, Vryzas, Charisteas. Subs: Chalkias, Katergiannakis, Dabizas, Georgiadis, Goumas, Kafes, Lakis, Papadopoulos, Tsiartas, Venetidis.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)
