Portugal go top - September 4, 2000 Estonia 1 Portugal 3 Portugal went to the top of Ireland's group with a comfortable 3-1 win over Estonia in Talinn. The Estonians are no pushovers at home and the result will give the Irish and Dutch plenty of food for thought. The home side gave as good as they got in the opening exchanges and could have taken the lead after six minutes. Anders Oper forced Joaquin Silva into a diving save but was adjudged to have fouled as he followed up the rebound. Portugal were never under pressure once Rui Costa opened the scoring as early as the 14th minute, his curling shot beating Mark Poom into the bottom corner. The world' most expensive player, Luis Figo, made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half and he was again involved in the third goal, six minutes later. Figo's perfect cross found Ricardo Sa Pinto, who made no mistake from close range. Oper scored a consolation goal for the Estonians six minutes from time when he forced the ball home from a corner.
Estonia: Poom, Lemsalu, Stepanov, Allas, Rooba, Alonen, Terehhov, Oper, Jurisson, Reim, Zelinski |