By Paul Fletcher Our man in Portugal

GREECE 1-1 SPAIN Match report Match in photos Group A scenario explained

In one moment of breathtaking simplicity here at Estadio do Bessa on Wednesday, Spain showed why they are among the favourites to win Euro 2004.

A sublime backheel from Raul left the Greek defence foundering and seconds later Fernando Morientes had swept the ball past Antonios Nikopolidis.

The rest made for grisly viewing.

Spain were unable to capitalise on their lead and are now in real danger of re-affirming once again their deserved reputation as the great under-performers in international football.

Greece held firm after conceding and their resilience was rewarded with a second-half equaliser from Angelos Charisteas.

Going into Euro 2004, Greece had never scored in a major tournament, yet alone won a match.

But four points from their games against group favourites Portugal and Spain leave them on the brink of qualification.

And a positive result against a Russian side already eliminated and low on morale will see them progress from Group A.

Ample talent

Understandably, the mood was vibrant amongst the Greek players afterwards as they faced the media.

The body language of the Spanish told another story.

In the first half of the match Spain manoeuvred the ball with the style and efficiency of movement known so well by regular followers of Primera Liga.

But their more than ample wealth of talent was unable to force itself on the match after conceding and Spain left Porto having posed more questions than they answered.

Raul, the heartbeat of the Spanish team, has yet to rediscover his goalscoring form.

For Spain's record goalscorer 2004 has been a miserable story of failure and he was withdrawn towards the end of Wednesday's match having spurned good opportunities to restore his team's lead.

Then there is the issue of whether coach Inaki Saez knows his best team.

The Spanish media over here are far from convinced.

The debate in Spain rages as to whether Juan Carlos Valeron, Spain's match-winner in their opening game, should start.

We attacked well but we just were not able to finish off some promising moves Spain coach Inaki Saez More Spain reaction

Against Greece he had to be content with the role of substitute once more.

And on the left Real Betis' talented 22-year-old winger Joaquin made a real case for inclusion after coming on as a second-half substitute for Josep Etxeberria.

Spain had chances to win - with no-one more guilty than Raul. But in the final minutes the deafening silence from the Spanish supporters spoke for itself.

And so Spain face a crunch match with Portugal to decide which team will scrape through after an uncertain start and which will depart as a high-profile casualty.

Spain go into Sunday's decider in Lisbon with the knowledge that a draw will be enough to take them through.

A draw would see Portugal eliminated even if Greece lose to Russia given that the hosts lost to Otto Rehhagel's team in the tournament's opening game.

And Spain can take one historical comfort into the encounter.

Years ending in four have often coincided with rare moments of success for Spain at European championships.

In 1964 they won the tournament, defeating the Soviet Union, and 20 years later they reached the final, losing to France.

If they are to reach another final 20 years later it seems certain they will have to eliminate the hosts - and find a killer touch that is so clearly lacking.