LISBON, June 26: Raucous celebrations erupted in Portugal on Sunday after the country beat the Netherlands 1-0 to reach the last eight of the World Cup. Thousands of fans and drivers hooting their horns blocked Lisbon's main avenue as fans celebrated a dramatic win in which both teams had two men sent off, a record for the finals.

“I was a bit nervous after the expulsion of Costinha,” said Manuel da Costa, who had wrapped himself in the Portuguese flag as he celebrated along Avenida da Liberdade in central Lisbon.

“Now we will see, but I am full of faith that we will be champions for the first time.”

The side has already reached Brazilian-born coach Luis Felipe Scolari's ambition of taking the side to the last eight in the World Cup. It is already Portugal's best World Cup since they finished third in 1966.—Reuters