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Last Updated: Monday, 21 June, 2004, 07:27 GMT 08:27 UK
Andrade hails Ronaldo

Exclusive by Phil McNulty
Our man in Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal defender Jorge Andrade claims his team have a teenage star to rival Wayne Rooney in Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was outstanding in Portugal's 1-0 win against Spain which sets up a possible quarter-final clash with England in Lisbon.

Andrade told BBC Sport: "Rooney is doing very well for a boy of just 18.

"But I have to congratulate Cristiano Ronaldo on how he played against Spain. He did very well. He is like our Wayne Rooney, young and very talented."

He added: "It is not important to us whether we play England or Croatia. We are happy to be through and now the whole nation is behind us.

"What I do know is that after seeing England's games they have a very strong national team.

"We are concentrating on our performance and that is what has got us through."

Portugal's win, which came courtesy of Nuno Gomes' second half winner, sent rivals Spain out and completed a recovery after the hosts lost their opening game to Greece.

Hopefully we can now go far in this tournament
Cristiano Ronaldo

It sent them top of the group and means they will face England if they finish second in their section.

Andrade said: "We know we are capable of great things. After the first match we were the worst players in the world, but now they will say we are the greatest.

"We now want to celebrate this win, but we know the other group is full of good teams so we will take whatever team is before us.

"There was pressure on us because all of Portugal was behind us, but we know the responsibility we have and we live with that as professional footballers."

Ronaldo said as he looked forward to a possible clash with Old Trafford team-mates Paul Scholes and Gary Neville: "We are just glad we are through.

"I don't really know if I would prefer to play Croatia or England, but I do know that whoever we play we will have to produce another big performance like we did against Spain to win.

"I feel I have had two good performances as a substitute, and I was very happy to have the faith and confidence of the coach to start the game.

"It was a great victory against a powerful side and hopefully we can now go far in this tournament."





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Spain 0-1 Portugal
20 Jun 04  |  Euro 2004


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