Greece record historic World Cup victory
Greece beat ten-man Nigeria 2-1 in a thrilling encounter on Thursday
to record their first ever victory at a World Cup finals.
It also kept their World Cup dreams alive in a match that hinged on a
first half red card for the African team. The Euro 2004 champions - who
had lost all three matches in the 1994 finals and then to South Korea in
their opening group match here - knew that defeat would end their hopes
in South Africa and fell behind early on.
But goals from Dimitrios Salpingidis and Vasileios Torosidis sealed
the win in chilly Bloemfontein. Nigeria broke the deadlock on 16 minutes
through midfielder Kalu Uche, who swung in a free-kick from near the
left corner of the penalty area that eluded everyone and crept in past a
bemused Alexandros Tzorvas. But the Super Eagles’ hopes took a major hit
when Sani Kaita was sent off on 33 minutes after kicking out at
Torosidis, the Nigerian leaving the pitch in tears. As half-time
approached Greece coach Otto Rehhagel threw on forward Georgios Samaras
for defensive midfielder Sokratis Papastathopoulos as the Greeks,
renowned for their defensive-minded play, seized the initiative. AFP
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