Lisbon: Nuno Gomes was the toast of all of Portugal after scoring the goal that sent the Euro 2004 hosts into the quarter-finals at the expense of neighbours Spain.

The Benfica striker, introduced at half-time as a substitute for Pauleta, struck the decisive blow in the 57th minute with a powerful low shot from 20 yards to give Luiz Felipe Scolari's side a priceless 1-0 victory yesterday (June 20, 2004).

It was a desperately frustrating night for Spain, who had gone into the match knowing a draw would be enough to put them into the quarter-finals and were twice denied an equaliser by the woodwork as they went down to their first ever defeat by the hosts in a competitive match.

Instead the side representing the world's best league found themselves edged out of the knockout phase by Greece, who advanced on the strength of having scored more goals than the Spanish, despite going down 2-1 to Russia in Faro in their final group A match.

A first half played at an exhilarating tempo had been short on clear-cut chances until the closing minutes, when both sides went agonisingly close to taking the lead.

Fernando Torres headed Xabi Alonso's corner fractionally over for Spain and, a minute later, Cristiano Ronaldo out jumped the Spanish defence only to send his glancing header wide of the upright.

Up until then, Portugal had dominated territorially but the good work of Ronaldo and Figo on the flanks was failing to hurt Spain as Pauleta repeatedly found himself crowded out in the middle.

Only once was Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas called upon to make a save, which he did by beating away a fierce drive from Benfica full-back Miguel after 20 minutes.

In attack, Spain's best moments of the opening period came courtesy of the cultivated left foot of Vicente, whose crosses twice presented Spain's captain Raul with opportunities to put his side ahead.

The Real Madrid striker was inches away from connecting with the first one as it skidded across Portugal's goalmouth and was let down by a poor first touch on the second, ten minutes before the break.

Raul's potency as a finisher has diminished considerably but a neat through ball for Torres demonstrated that he has not lost his touch as a provider. The chance was snuffed out however by Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo.

Forced to gamble, Scolari withdrew Pauleta at the interval and replaced him with Gomes.

It was to prove a masterstroke. The Benfica striker had not been on the pitch for 12 minutes when he collected Figo's pass on the edge of the Spanish area, turned and struck a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The Jose Alvalade stadium erupted before settling down for a finale of nerve-shredding tension.

Three times Spain came within a whisker of equalising.

Torres struck the post from 12 yards out after Xavi Alonso's well-judged pass had put him in behind the Portuguese back line, Albert Luque had his chip headed off the line by Ricado Carvalho and Juanito's back post header struck the bar before slithering away to safety.

But his side held their nerve and held out for a memorable win, which will have come as a major relief to the tournament organisers.