From a scowl to a smile, Luis Figo’s face told the story.Star captain and Portuguese idol, Figo was substituted in the 75th minute yesterday as his team trailed England 1-0 in a dramatic Euro 2004 quarterfinal clash. It was a shock move but one that changed Portugal’s fortunes.Figo frowned furiously as he was made to walk half way around the pitch, going straight for the exit tunnel and ignoring coach Luis Felipe Scolari and his teammates on the bench in what would normally be taken as an unforgivable insult.But, contrary to expectations, Figo left the stadium hours later smiling brightly and walking with a bounce in his step, saluting reporters with a thumbs-up gesture, although refusing to speak.Figo’s substitution was a brave move by Scolari. For more than a decade he has been an ‘untouchable’ for the national side, as well as Spanish clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. But portugal were flagging seriously and showing none of the creative spark it had used to tear spain apart and qualify for the quarterfinals.Figo produced almost none of the penetrating runs from the wings to the area that have become his trademark. His shooting was way off mark too. “When I see something wrong I take actions to remedy it,” said Scolari.WHERE DO THEY GO NOW?PortugalA semi-final match-up with either the Dutch or the Swedes, either of them a thrilling prospect. Robben v Ronaldo, Davids v Costinha, Figo v Zlatan.EnglandHome, to recover for the Premiership season six weeks hence. Eriksson, to look at the video of this match and play “spot the difference” with Brazil 2002
