Portugal end Swiss challenge

Portugal recovered from a goal down at half-time to reach the UEFA European Under-21 Championship thanks to second half-strikes from Hugo Almeida and Silvestre Varela which completed a 3-2 aggregate win against Switzerland.

Second-half turnaround
Having drawn 1-1 in Sunday's first game in Zurich, the Portuguese held a slight advantage going into tonight's reverse fixture at the Estádio do Bessa and, after falling behind to David Degen's effort midway through the first period, two goals in seven second-half minutes turned the tie in the home team's favour.

Lively opening
With Manuel Fernandes suspended, Portugal coach Agostinho Oliveira opted for Nuno Morais in central midfield while Vítor Rodrigues came in at left-back in place of Sporting Clube de Portugal's Valdir, who watched on from the stands. Knowing they had to score, however, the Swiss were quickly into their stride and pressed the home side back in the opening stages, although Portugal quickly regrouped with Ricardo Quaresma and Hugo Almeida showing flashes of danger.

Volleyed opener
Yet that was to prove misleading as when a goal arrived, it was at the other end. Switzerland had gradually gained the upper hand in the midfield contest and, from one such foray, Reto Ziegler provided a perfect left-wing cross for Degen to finish with an assured volley in the 20th minute.

Calla chance
The home side tried to rally but failed to assert themselves in the middle third and might have fallen further behind 12 minutes before the interval but Calla failed to find the net when well placed, Portugal goalkeeper Bruno Vale scrambling the ball behind for a corner. The home team's best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to Hugo Viana, but his powerful strike was blocked.

Decisive spell
The pattern of the match changed completely as the second half got under way, and Portugal drew level ten minutes after the restart. Diogo Valente's pinpoint cross picked out Hugo Almeida, and the striker duly found the back of the net with a perfect header. Seven minutes later, substitute Varela collected a long João Moutinho shot to fire between the legs of goalkeeper Diego Benaglio and take his side through to next summer's tournament.