Figo finds his footing

Divine inspiration
Be it divine inspiration or devilish rage, Figo was back to his irrepressible, inspirational best as Portugal tonight progressed to Sunday's final with a 2-1 victory against the Netherlands at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. Having lost at the semi-final stage in the 1966 FIFA World Cup and the 1984 and 2000 UEFA European Championships, Portugal are striving to become the first host nation since France two decades ago to win this competition on home soil.

Skill and exuberance
Figo and Costinha were the only starting survivors of the side beaten 2-1 by France in Brussels at UEFA EURO 2000™, while Dick Advocaat started with six of the team that lost on penalties to Italy in the other semi-final in the Low Countries, with Marc Overmars the most notable introduction ahead of Andy van der Meyde having been previously deployed as "a final weapon late on" in Portugal.

Cap count
Overmars' pace and experience would complement the skill and exuberance of Arjen Robben, and create a perfect symmetry with Portugal's wide men, Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite both being 31 and with a joint cap count ticking towards 200, Overmars and Figo began like men with points to prove. Two early Overmars tackles signalled that he was up for the fight, while Figo provided the first telling ball of the match - a low, curling centre which teased all but Jaap Stam at the far post.

Memorable run
Having been burdened by the expectations of ten million Portuguese in his previous outings at UEFA EURO 2004™, Figo was playing with the sort of freedom that had marked him out as a superstar in the making during his time at Sporting Clube de Portugal, the regular residents of this impressive venue. Another Figo cross following a coruscating run from the right almost found Pauleta before a switch of flanks led to the corner from which Ronaldo opened the scoring with a header in the 26th minute.

Scolari request
"Portugal, olé" rang around the stadium as a swathe of red-shirted fans danced in unison, obviously having taken heed of Scolari's request to don the national colours of Portugal. Be it fashion or formations, people listen when 'Big Phil' speaks. Overmars almost curtailed the celebrations with a flashing volley before delightfully slipping in Ruud van Nistelrooij who brilliantly turned in his one chance only to have the goal disallowed for offside.

Engine room
With Deco and Maniche linking supremely in Portugal's engine room, Ronaldo and Figo continued to threaten from wide positions. Restored to his natural position on the right, the captain controlled a long pass on his chest in the 41st minute, toyed with Giovanni van Bronckhorst and curled a wonderful left-foot shot beyond Edwin van der Sar but against the post. It deserved more.

Makaay on
The Dutch lost their primary attacking threat when Overmars failed to appear for the second half, Roy Makaay coming on, and Portugal were ruthless in their exploiting of the extra space, Maniche beating Van der Sar with a sensational 58th-minute drive. Having self-destructed in Brussels in four years ago, Portugal were in no mood to lose their discipline once more, even when Jorge Andrade inadvertently clipped the ball over Ricardo and into his own net.

Golden generation
Scolari shored up his midfield with Petit, leaving on the tireless Figo - on the occasion of his 109th cap - to inspire his side into the final. With this success coming 13 years to the day since Portugal won the FIFA World Youth Championship, the last survivors of the 'golden generation' finally have their chance to deliver.