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“It was an ugly, hostile match – although for someone like me, it was a kind of enjoyment” Portugal’s Maniche explains what it was like to play in the dirtiest match in World Cup history

Portugal's meeting with the Netherlands at the 2006 World Cup produced four red cards and 12 yellow cards

The 2006 World Cup quarter-final meeting became infamous

When a World Cup quarter-final match has its own special Wikipedia page, it's either a very good sign or a very bad sign.

In the case of Portugal's victory over the Netherlands at the 2006 World Cup, it's very much out of notoriety.

That game still holds the record for the dirtiest game ever played at the tournament, with both sides earning an absolute raft of red and yellow cards.

Maniche told FourFourTwo: "Nuremberg witnessed an all-out battle.

"It was an ugly, hostile match – although for someone like me, it was a kind of enjoyment.

Tempered flared right from the off

"Every action was played on the edge, with enormous and constant tension. Winning justified everything.

"It was an extremely difficult game for the Russian referee.

"He sent off four players (Costinha, Khalid Boulahrouz, Deco and Giovanni van Bronckhorst) and showed 12 yellow cards, the worst disciplinary record in World Cup history.

"We were fighting for a place in the quarter finals and, after what had happened two years earlier at the Euro 2004 [when Portugal won 2-1 in the semi-finals], there was a strong rivalry with the Netherlands."

Maniche had scored the opener in a 2-1 win over Mexico in the group stage, and he was at it again when he struck midway through the first half.

Players clashed throughout the game

Maniche said: "I was fortunate to score again – the only goal of the match.

"I remember celebrating by kissing the badge in front of our fans.

"It was a hard-fought victory and that’s why it felt so special. It's match that will stay in my memory for the rest of my life.

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