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England's 23-man squad arrived in Portugal with genuine hopes of winning the tournament

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But defeat in the first match, against France, comes in the cruellest fashion. Leading 1-0 in injury time, French maestro Zinedine Zidane curled in this freekick before slotting from the spot in a stunning comeback

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Rocked by defeat to France, England stutter to a 3-0 win over 10-man Switzerland, 18-year-old Wayne Rooney becoming the youngest player to score in a European Championship when he heads home Michael Owen's cross

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Needing to win or draw against Croatia, England are shocked when they concede an early goal. However Paul Scholes pulls England level with his first international goal for 30 games

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Rooney seals the victory, a blistering 20-yard shot makes it 2-1 just before half-time, and he tucks away a second at the end of an exhilarating 50-yard run

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The aftermath of the game is marred by news of the death of England fan Stephen Smith, stabbed to death during an alleged attempted robbery

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Victory over Croatia sees England qualify second in their group - and sets up a meeting with hosts Portugal. France gets the seemingly easier tie against Greece as a result of the opening victory over England

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Having outnumbered rival fans in previous matches, England fans are matched by their colourful Portugal rivals at the 65,000 capacity Estadio da Luz

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Michael Owen gives England a dream start after three minutes, when he skilfully flicks home a long ball which the Portugese defence fail to clear

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But 24 minutes later, having been dominating proceedings, England are in disarray when their star player is forced to hobble off to be replaced by Darius Vassell. It later turns out Rooney has a broken foot

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England withstand a ferocious Portugal onslaught until seven minutes from time when Helder Postiga equalises. Still, England think they have won it when Sol Campbell heads in a last-gasp cross, but referee Urs Meier rules it out for a foul

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The game goes to extra time, Rui Costa scoring first with a brilliant strike for Portugal before Frank Lampard sends it to penalties. England captain David Beckham steps up for the first - but slips on the sandy penalty spot and skies it over the bar

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Rui Costa misses to give England hope and the shoot-out enters sudden death. Ashley Cole and Postiga score before substitute Vassell's is saved by goalkeeper Ricardo

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The Portugese keeper then brushes aside a team-mate to claim the right to take the decisive spot-kick. He takes the best penalty of the night, tucking it beyond David James, for a place in the semi-final.

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Beckham takes the blame for the cruel defeat, England's fourth on penalties in eight major tournaments, though he later reacts angrily to any suggestion he stand down as captain or that recent personal problems accounted for his below-par performances