Match action in pictures Greece reaction Spain reaction Group A scenario explained

Greece are eyeing a place in the last eight after prising a point from Group A favourites Spain.

Angelos Charisteas crashed home the equaliser for Greece after the Spanish defence failed to deal with a long ball.

Fernando Morientes gave Spain a first-half lead, collecting Raul's backheel to sidestep a defender and finish.

Ruben Baraja and Juan Carlos Valeron had late chances but the Greeks again showed their resilience.

Greece were forced to weather some early heavy weather as Spain stretched them across the back through wide men Vicente and Joseba Etxeberria.

Raul's pass put the overlapping Raul Bravo in behind the Greek defence but Charisteas hared back to get in a great challenge.

KEY MOMENTS 27 mins: Morientes puts Spain ahead 47 mins: Greece's Zagorakis fires inches wide 65 mins: Charisteas levels for Greece All the action as it happened

Carlos Marchena's late challenge on Giorgos Karagounis proved costly as his second yellow card of the tournament rules him out of Spain's final group game against Portugal.

Greece's stubborn defence was proving difficult to break down and when David Albelda's pass found Raul in space in the penalty box, an uncharacteristic heavy touch from the Real Madrid striker enabled Nikopolidis to gather.

Stelios Giannakopoulos's foul on Carles Puyol allowed Vicente to whip in a free-kick, and in stretching to make contact Ivan Helguera deflected the ball away from goal.

But there was no escape for Greece on 27 minutes when Fernando Morientes put Spain ahead.

Raul stepped in as Michalis Kapsis hesitated and his cute backheel found Morientes who sidestepped Katsouranis to rifle home from 12 yards.

Morientes' predatory instincts are on show as he fires Spain ahead

Greece were at full stretch to keep out the rampant Spanish, but on 33 minutes Helguera and Marchena suffered a communication breakdown and escaped as Takis Fyssas's thumping shot was blocked by the unwitting Marchena.

Greece finished the first half strongly but the Spanish defence comfortably answered all the questions asked of it.

But they came close to an equaliser two minutes after the break when the ball fell invitingly to Zagorakis 23 yards out and his powerful drive flew inches wide.

Zagorakis then caught Albelda in possession and strode forward to fire straight at Iker Casillas.

Raul spurned a chance to give Spain breathing space when he planted a free header over the bar from eight yards out.

And he was made to pay for that miss as Greece conjured up an equaliser on 65 minutes.

Thank you Greece, from all the Greek people for the wonderful feelings you've given us - we hope you go as far as possible but you are already in our hearts From Dimitris Apostolidis Have your say on 606

The Spanish defence failed to deal with a long hopeful ball from substitute Vasilios Tsiartis and Charisteas controlled before firing a shot over Casillas.

Greece defended desperately to preserve their hard-earned point and Nikopolidis produced a point-blank save to keep out Helguera's header, while sub Valeron saw his shot blocked by Kapsis.

Greece: Nikopolidis, Seitaridis, Kapsis, Dellas, Fissas (Venetidis 86), Giannakopoulos (Nikolaidis 49), Zagorakis, Karagounis (Tsiartas 52), Katsouranis, Vryzas, Charisteas.
Subs not used: Basinas, Chalkias, Dabizas, Georgiadis, Goumas, Kafes, Katergiannakis, Lakis, Papadopoulos.

Booked: Katsouranis, Giannakopoulos, Karagounis, Zagorakis, Vryzas.

Spain: Casillas, Puyol, Helguera, Marchena, Bravo, Etxeberria (Joaquin 45), Albelda, Baraja, Vicente, Morientes (Valeron 65), Raul (Torres 80).
Subs not used: Alonso, Aranzubia, Canizares, Capdevila, Cesar, Gabri, Juanito, Luque, Xavi.

Booked: Marchena, Helguera.

Attendance: 25,444.

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia).

OFFICIAL STATS BY UEFA
Category	Greece	Spain
Total shots	9	11
Shots on target	2	2
Possession	42%	58%
Corners won	2	15
Fouls committed	16	20
Offsides	2	1
Bookings	5	2
Sent Off	0	0

TRIVIA