Ricardo salvages Portuguese dream

Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo became the first man to save three penalties in a World Cup finals shootout and then said his team was super happy on reaching the semi-finals in Germany.

"This was a game to win, it reached penalties once again, thank God I managed to save three. We are super happy," the keeper, who plays for Sporting, said on Saturday.

Ricardo saved penalties from Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher as his team won the shootout 3-1 to set up a semi-final with Brazil or France who play later on Saturday.

Ricardo scored the winner from the spot against England in the Euro 2004 quarter-final shootout but this time Cristiano Ronaldo put away the decisive penalty.

DREAM COME TRUE

Eusebio said Portugal's dream of winning the World Cup can come true after they beat England.

Former great Eusebio, who scored a penalty the only time they previously reached the semi-finals in 1966 when they lost 2-1 to England, said they should now reach the final.

"Like I've said many times I believe in this team," he said. "The way to the final is open. If it's necessary this team will die on the pitch. It's possible the dream can come true."

PORTUGUESE REJOICE

The Portuguese rejoiced at their penalty shootout win over England in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday and hailed goalkeeper Ricardo as the hero.

Thousands of people swept into Lisbon's main avenues to cheer while cars across the city hooted their horns as Portugal reached the semi-finals for the first time in 40 years.

"It was a great game, we suffered until the end, I have to run off now to buy a plane ticket to see the semi and finals," said Jose Tomas, who saw the game at an Irish pub in Lisbon.

The Portuguese were unusually jubilant with scores of people scaling the main monument in central Lisbon while a half-naked woman danced on top of a jeep in sheer delight.

"We suffered a lot but our Ricardo was a hero during the penalties, like he was in Euro 2004," said Augusto Silva, who watched the game on a big video screen at Lisbon University.

Ricardo scored the winning penalty when Portugal knocked England out of Euro 2004 in the quarter-finals in a shootout.

The only previous time Portugal had reached the World Cup semi-finals was in 1966 when they lost 2-1 to England.