Portugal’s tearful and sensational World Cup exit was as dramatic as it was surprising.
If ever there was a Jekyll and Hyde performance by a team at the World Cup, this was it.
A disastrous start against the United States seemed to have been erased by a 4-0 demolition job on Poland in the second match, but second round qualification was still in the balance.
In the end, a draw against South Korea would have been enough for the team that Pele had tipped to win the World Cup, but Portugal shot themselves in the foot in the group decider.
They had two men sent off, Luis Figo stayed on the pitch - though no-one seemed to be able to find him – and they wasted a series of chances that even at the very end would have saved them.
Portugal can at least look forward to hosting the European Championship in 2004 as they bid to put things right.
