Losing minor classics in major tournament finals is becoming a depressing habit for England. No matter who the manager, be it Terry Venables, Glenn Hoddle or Kevin Keegan, and no matter who the opposition, be it Germany, Argentina or Portugal, the pattern is the same - England play pretty well, score fine goals but in the end lose.
It happened again last night and in circumstances just as dramatic as Euro '96 or France '98. Having scored after just two minutes 42 seconds through the ginger bap of Paul Scholes, and then added to that advantage in the 17th minute with Steve McManaman's third goal for his country, England were gradually reined in by a Portugal of greater ability, mobility and, less expected particularly after their opening, of greater durability, too.
Luis Figo and Rui Costa was sensational. The central pairing of Fernando Couto and Vidigal were not bad either. They may have been culpable on both England goals, but when called upon towards the final whistle as England attempted a rescue, both men stood tall and made vital clearances, mainly from Scholes.
England's defence never hinted at such resolution and the goals from Figo, Joao Pinto and Nuno Gomez were all partly manufactured by English shoddiness.
Keegan, relatively perky afterwards, was hearty in his praise of Portugal: "Any team anywhere in the world that comes back from 2-0 down like that, you've got to take your hat off to them," he said, but he added that the explanation for the defeat lay in England's poor defending "as a unit". Keegan acknowledged that some of his defenders' decision-making was questionable at best, but said that the defence: "Did not get enough shelter from midfield. We just couldn't cope with that zipped through pass from their midfield." Paul Ince's ears will have been singed.
Portugal were left at the top of Group A, England on the bottom, and if the Portuguese can find a regular goalscorer they will take some beating. For England it means an anxious few days as they prepare for Germany in Charleroi. The last time they lost a 2-0 lead was against West Germany in 1970. It is not a good omen and England will need a serious re-floating by Saturday.
Last night, even before they got off to the best possible start, England had got off to the best possible start. Prior to kick-off the news was good. Germany and Romania's draw was the result Keegan would have wanted - as would Portugal's Humberto Coelho. Then there was the Portugal teamsheet. It lacked the names of Paulo Sousa, Sa Pinto and Sergio Conceicao.
As expected Keegan plumped for the creativity of McManaman on the left as opposed to the spikiness of Dennis Wise.
After less than half a minute Alan Shearer put a useful header too close to Vitor Baia and two minutes later England were ahead. Unintentionally, Phil Neville initiated the goal move. Breaking down the left, Neville's cross went to the opposite flank and was retrieved by David Beckham. With Shearer at the near post and Michael Owen at the far, Beckham already had targets to aim for. Then Scholes suddenly popped up. Beckham's cross was perfect, Portugal's marking was non-existent and Scholes's muscular header went in off the crossbar. It was his 10th goal in 25 internationals. What a start for England.
Portugal's response was excellent. With Rui Costa and Figo monopolising possession, their bewitching footwork and drifting skill, terrifying England, Portugal were able to camp themselves on top of England's 18-yard line. Paulo Bento had a decent shot and David Seaman flapped at a Rui Costa cross. It was Seaman's first dodgy moment. Others were to come, although the Arsenal 'keeper's next involvement was an impressive diving parry from Rui Costa, again allowed to roam. Only 15 minutes had gone.
A Portugal equaliser felt inevitable, yet England promptly went upfield and made it 2-0. Owen, with his only meaningful contribution prior to his half-time withdrawal which Keegan described later as "tactical", supplied Beckham. Scholes dashed to the near post taking a defender with him. Beckham hit the long pass instead. McManaman was left unchallenged and struck a confident half-volley past Baia.
McManaman's reaction told of disbelief. He was not the only one. Two behind, but Portugal were clearly the more gifted outfit. Now they had to prove it. Rui Costa did so, ghosting past white shirts at will. In the 21st minute Seaman made a save from Gomez, but 60 seconds later Seaman was left embarrassingly static as Figo's 30-yarder soared through the legs of Tony Adams and into England's top corner. 2-1.
Figo had been given an acre in which to run, a feature of the first half, and 15 minutes later Portugal climaxed a sustained period of intelligent, probing passing with yet another curling centre from Rui Costa. England had been passed to distraction and when the ball came in, Pinto's head met it before Sol Campbell's. Such was the pace on the cross, the feintest glance took the ball in off the woodwork. 2-2 and well deserved.
England could not complain. Playing far too deep, the only time they dictated the game was when McManaman held it up on the left wing. Sadly for England, McManaman departed through injury in the 58th minute - Keegan said McManaman is a concern for the Germany game - and the Portuguese took the lead for the first time in the 59th. Rui Costa - who else? - delivered the telling ball. It dropped in between Adams and Seaman, Gomez rushed into the disappearing gap and swept the ball over Seaman. 2-3.
Keegan's unstinting optimism meant that he could still take something positive from last night's result. "It means we know what we have to do now. We know we have to win both our games now to qualify."
Some chance. The last time England beat Germany in a major tournament was in 1966. Saturday needs a minor miracle, never mind the minor classic.
