The inspirational Romanian captain was booked by French referee Gilles Veissiere for a foul on Joao Pinto in the 16th minute. His first caution was for dissent in Romania's 1-1 draw against Germany.

Portugal started stylishly with Luis Figo causing alarm for Romania. He darted between Gheorghe Popescu and Cosmin Contra in the second minute into the penalty. He went to ground but no penalty was given.

Figo's menace helped Portugal keep the early pressure on Romania. His darting runs and inter-play with both wing-backs forced a string of corners but they could not make them count.

Nuno Gomes dragged a good chance across goal and wide with his right foot after Cristian Chivu had been caught in possession and Rui Costa rattled a right-foot effort wide from 20 yards.

Vitor Baia dropped a towering left-wing cross but his defenders rescued him as Adrian Ilie lurked. Moments later, he bravely cut out a cross from Chivu at the feet of Viorel Moldovan.

In between, Gheorghe Hagi picked up his second yellow card of Euro 2000 for a foul in midfield on Joao Pinto and will be ruled out of Romania's game against England on Tuesday.

Dan Petrescu and Contra quickly followed their skipper into the book.

Baia clawed a curling free-kick from Ilie away from the top corner after a foul by Jorge Costa on Moldovan.

And Fernando Couto couldn't keep a header down after losing his marker to reach a Figo free-kick.

Rui Costa and Pinto combined neatly to release Nuno Gomes but the striker was out of his blocks a fraction too quickly and the offside flag went up again as he shot wide.

Romania grew stronger as the half closed and Hagi chanced his arm from an unlikely position. He unleashed a swerving left-foot shot from 35 yards out on the right but it veered away from Baia's goal.