Draw enough for Portugal
Scolari's men just managed to qualify ahead of Finland
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Wednesday, 21, Nov 2007 10:50
Portugal secured their place at Euro 2008 after drawing 0-0 with Finland at the Estadio Dragao in Oporto.
Luis Felipe Scolari's men started the match one point ahead of their opponents and were able to keep them at bay for the 90 minutes to join group winners Poland in next summer's tournament.
Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo mesmerised the Finish full-backs but striker Nuno Gomes could not make the most of the chances which came his way.
Portugal thought they had taken the lead when Pepe headed home a free-kick but the referee adjudged he had fouled Jussi Jaaskelainen in the build up.
Finland almost snatched the win in the 87th minute when Portuguese defender Bruno Alves tried to intercept a cross and only succeeded in turning the ball towards his own goal.
To the relief of the home side the ball slid narrowly past the post and moments later they could celebrate their qualification.
Turkey will be joining them in Austria and Switzerland after they beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0.
Nihat Kahveci scored the winning goal just before half time, ending Norway's hopes of reaching the finals.
They beat Malta 4-1 but finished one point behind Turkey who join group winners Greece in qualifying.
In group D Czech Republic finished top following their 2-0 win over Cyprus while Wales held Germany to a 0-0 draw in Frankfurt.
Romania topped group G after they beat Albania 6-1 at home while Holland lost 2-1 away to Belarus.
In group B Italy comfortably beat Faroe Islands 3-1 to finish top of the table ahead of France who could only draw 2-2 away to Ukraine.