Portugal put eight past Kuwait

Portugal 8-0 Kuwait

Play-off drama
As the five final countries - the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Croatia and Latvia -who will take part in the tournament became known after they emerged victorious in their respective play-offs, the hosts were dismantling the Middle East nation. Paris Saint-Germain FC striker Pauleta did most of the damage, scoring four goals, although fellow forward Nuno Gomes scored a quick-fire hat-trick in 19 second-half minutes.

Early threat
Kuwait threatened early when defender Fernando Couto cleared a shot by Bader Al-Mutwa but from then on it was one-way traffic at the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa stadium, one of ten venues for next year's UEFA European Championship.

Two for Pauleta
Pauleta opened the scoring in the eleventh minute after a neat cross by Miguel Monteiro. A pinpoint pass from AC Milan playmaker Rui Costa set the striker up for his and Portugal's second goal ten minutes later before going close himself with a powerful right-footed shot from 20 metres.

Figo in on the act
Luis Figo made it 3-0 when he beat Kuwait goalkeeper Shehab Kankune in the 34th minute and the midfield player also created the goal that enabled Pauleta to complete his hat-trick in added time at the end of the first half, producing a defence-splitting diagonal pass which the striker poked between Kankune's legs.

Instant impact
Pauleta became only the third Portuguese player to score four goals in an international when he converted a cross by substitute Luis Boa Morte eight minutes into the second half.  The PSG forward was replaced by Nuno Gomes six minutes past the hour, and the forward made an impression almost immediately, scoring from close range three minutes after coming on before adding his second goal in the 76th minute after Kankune failed to hold a mis-kick by Boa Morte.

Late eighth
Portugal completed the rout two minutes from time when Kankune fumbled a shot by Gomes, who picked up the rebound and lobbed the ball over the Kuwaiti goalkeeper.