Lisbon: Portugal has advanced to the final of a major soccer championship for the first time by beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the semifinal of Euro 2004.

Cristiano Ronaldo headed home a corner in the 26th minute and Nuno Maniche drove a stunning 22-meter strike into the top left corner of Edwin van der Sar's goal in the 58th to put the host two goals ahead before a Jorge Andrade own goal gave the Dutch some hope.

The Portuguese, who lost 2-1 to underdog Greece in the opening game, finally made it to a championship game after semifinal exits at the 1966 World Cup and the 1984 and 2000 Euros.

The Dutch, who won the Euro title in 1988, lost in the semifinal for the second time in a row, having been beaten by Italy four years ago in Rotterdam.

In the ninth minute Luis Figo, who was the main source of the best Portuguese moves and was named man of the match, broke down the right and sent over a low cross but Ronaldo, sliding in just three meters from the goal line, was unable to get his foot to the ball.

But the Portuguese were soon ahead, this time from a corner.