Humberto Coelho brought his team to Euro 2000 without a reliable goalscorer but the Benfica striker has taken on the mantle with his fourth goal of the tournament.

The first 10 minutes in Brussels were littered with mistakes as both teams started the semi-final nervously.

It was Portugal's first appearance at this stage of a major competition since 1984 when they lost to France in the last minute of extra time in a semi-final of Euro 84.

Fabien Barthez was quickly off his line to clear a sloppy back-pass from Bixente Lizarazu and, at the other end, Vitor Baia sliced a clearance after a brisk pass from Fernando Couto.

Didier Deschamps, making his 100th appearance for his country, unleashed the first effort at goal, in the 13th minute but his crisp 20-yarder was easily dealt with by Vitor Baia.

France settled first. Zinedine Zidane turned first time pass into the left channel for Thierry Henry to chase. The Portuguese keeper was out quickly to tidy up on the edge of his area.

Lilian Thuram also forced a save with a header from an unlikely angle but Portugal struck just as it seemed they might freeze on the big stage.

Sergio Conceicao poked the ball forward from midfield, in the 19th minute, and Nuno Gomes pounced instantly to rifle home a ferocious left-foot volley from 25 yards.

The Benfica striker had not scored for his country in 12 games before Euro 2000 but his fourth of the tournament brought the tie to the boil.

Nicolas Anelka's electric pace took him past two defenders, after collecting a Deschamps pass, but his run closed down the angle and his shot barely troubled Vitor Baia.

Marcel Desailly blocked a Luis Figo shot and Zidane offered another glimpse of his class with a run from midfield. He danced past two and exhanged passes with Henry but the Arsenal man ended the move by blazing over.

Patrick Vieira fired over from the edge of the box but Zidane went closer in first-half stoppage time with a 30-yard effort which drifted inches over with Vitor Baia beaten.