Scenes of sheer joy and scenes of heartbreak.
Dumped out of Europe but with their heads held high; brave Boro believed they were capable of upsetting the odds in Lisbon on this day in 2005 and put up an almighty fight.
The result, a 1-0 win on the night for the Portuguese giants, was harsh on Boro. In truth, McClaren’s side created more than enough chances to overturn the 3-2 deficit from the first leg and this was an injury-ravaged and severely weakened Boro side.
But in soaring March temperatures in the Portuguese capital, Boro proved they could handle the pressure cooker of European football, and players and fans alike wanted more.
For the diehards who roared Boro on at the Estadio Josede Alvalade, it was unforgettable trip. They did the club proud as much as the players had.
A day basking in the sunshine in Lisbon’s centre square followed by a night watching Boro on the big stage.
And they could have been planning another trip had McClaren’s men taken the numerous glorious opportunities they managed to carve out.
Had the boss been able to call upon his first choice strikers instead of Szilard Nemeth and Joseph Job it could well have been a different story.
But Boro’s display was worthy of praise on the whole rather than criticism for passing up those opportunities in front of goal.
That said, the thousands who embraced their heroes and sang in the stands well beyond the full-time whistle must have wondered whether they would have been celebrating a memorable victory and a spot in the last eight if Joseph Job had hit the net instead of shooting wide when an empty net was at his mercy early in the second half.
A last-gasp Pedro Barbosa goal was harsh on Boro but had no impact on the final result and certainly didn’t dent McClaren’s pride in his players.
“We’ve gone out through inches,” he told the Gazette.
“We blew the best three chances in the game.
“We needed one to go in but fate was not with us last night.
“I am proud of the whole football club for the way they have dealt with this whole European experience.
“It’s been a great journey.”
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