Dmitri Kirichenko's big toe ensured that Greece reached the quarter finals of the European Championships for the first time in their history - despite losing against Russia.
In the last minute, with Greece hanging on to second place in Group A by a whisker, a low cross seemed destined to be turned in by Russia's Kirichenko but he could only divert it wide via his big toe and it was party time in Athens.
Greece captain Theo Zagorakis was also overcome with emotion after his side's achievement - despite the disappointment of losing their final group game.
"It took us some seconds to understand what happened out there," he confessed. "We are delighted to have fulfilled all our promises. We have made Greece not just the talk of Europe but also the world."
Coach Otto Rehhagel agreed with the former Leicester man and said: "This tournament is already a big success for us so now we will just enjoy it. It is wonderful. The most important thing was that we fought to the very end and that is what my players did.
"Everything that comes after this will be easier for us. I don't mind who our next opponents are as we have nothing to lose now. There will be only joy, no criticism."
However, after the success against Portugal and Spain, this game got off to the worst possible start for Greece. An early error from Costas Katsouranis enabled Kirichenko to blast Russia into a lead after just 68 seconds - the quickest goal in the history of the tournament.
It was a big blow, as Zagorakis admitted, but thankfully for the team it didn't affect the overall picture. "Obviously we made the worst possible start," added Zagorakis. "I don't understand what happened to us in the beginning of the game, but it's the result that counts."
Russia had only pride to play for after defeats against Spain and Portugal confirmed their position as group whipping boys, but they were causing the tentative Greeks all sorts of problems. And it got even worse for Rehhagel's men when they conceded a second after 18 minutes.
Dmitri Bulykin powered home a header from a corner to leave Greece staring elimination in the face. Angelo Basinas forced a smart save from Russian keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev but they could have gone further behind when Andrei Kariaka missed a sitter. The left-footer blazed over the bar from inside the penalty area when it seemed easier to score.
However, Greece responded again and Angelos Charisteas missed an even easier opportunity from inside the six-yard box. But his blushes were spared when Zisis Vryzas chipped over the advancing Malafeev to score the goal that ultimately sent Greece through.
The second half was far tighter and until Kirichenko's late chance it seemed as though Greece would survive without any real scares. In the end they progressed by virtue of the fact they had scored more goals than Spain as they both had equal goal difference records.
However, while the Greeks celebrated it was a different tale in the Russian camp as they flattered to deceive once again. It has been a turbulent campaign for manager Georgy Yartsev, who axed talented midfielder Alexander Mostovoi after he criticised his training methods.
And Yartsev confessed that he was in the dark as to what the future held for him as national team manager. "We didn't complete the main task and that was to qualify for the next round," he said.
"So, the job was unsuccessful - why and what will happen we will see. I am proud of my players and I hope that by beating Greece we proved we are a good team. There are objective and subjective reasons why we didn't qualify but clearly we are not at the level we should be at - the deep analysis will follow."
