Here’s what happened on Thursday on Matchday 16 of UEFA Euro 2016 in France, in case you missed it…
THE RESULTS
• Match report: Poland 1, Portugal 1 (5-3 shootout win) in Marseille || Match stats
THE MAIN STORY
Portugal marches along: The beat goes on for Portugal, who hasn’t been overwhelmingly impressive in a dominating-their-opponents kind of way at Euro 2016. They aren’t going to win any style points based on how they’ve played in France, but then, that’s not the point now, is it? Cristiano Ronaldo and his cohorts have deservedly booked their spot in the semifinals by grinding out results in some difficult situations and against opponents who have focused on one thing: stopping them.
Poland was the latest team that entered the fray looking to thwart the Portuguese and do little else. Robert Lewandowski’s early goal notwithstanding, the Poles played a conservative game, with the fabulous central defensive duo of Michal Pazdan and Kamil Glik providing the foundation for a team that has given away very little in France—indeed, Poland never trailed during regulation and extra time in this entire tournament, and conceded just two goals in five matches.
Renato Sanches’ equalizer in the 33rd minute was a major turning point—up until then the Polish comfortably contained the Portuguese. That goal breathed a bit of life into Portugal, who called the tune and showed far more attacking intent for the remainder of the match, aside from a dire opening half of extra time when both nations were ultra cautious.
In the end, Ricardo Quaresma’s penalty in the shootout won it for Portugal, who by all rights should have ended the game long before that—Ronaldo spurned a number of quality scoring chances, including one in which he whiffed on a volley attempt deep inside the box that he should have buried.
It wasn’t the best night for the Real Madrid star. He converted his penalty, but his wastefulness in front of goal was shocking—and the less said about his feeble free kicks the better. You have to wonder with the way he’s playing in France—good, but not great, and far off his usual standard of excellence—if he’s too much inside his head, and whether the burden of having to carry the majority of the load for his country is too much for him.
MORE ON EURO 2016: Sportsnet has you covered with in-depth coverage of Euro 2016 in France, which runs from June 10 to July 10.
• Match schedule || Group standings || Live scoreboard || Latest news
• Profiles: All 24 teams || History of Euro || Top 10 moments in Euro history
• Feature stories || Soccer Central podcast || Team roster lists ||
GOAL OF THE DAY
In the second minute, Kamil Grosicki hit a cross from the left flank that Portugal right fullback Cecil misjudged—the ball bounced in front of him and then flew over him. It landed at the feet of Kamil Grosicki who ran into the box and then fed a pass into the middle for Robert Lewandowski who smashed it home.
SAVE OF THE DAY
There was only one save in the penalty shootout. Poland’s Jakub Blaszczykowski stepped up to the spot and blasted his attempt on goal, only to see Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio make a splendid one-handed stop.
BEST MOMENT OF THE DAY
Players and fans in Marseille applauded and stood up prior to kickoff to honour those who died in the recent Istanbul attacks.
THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME
TWEET OF THE DAY
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Poland’s Robert Lewandowski on Thursday scored the second fastest goal in the history of the European Championship (one minute and 40 seconds).
• Renato Sanches is the youngest player to start for Portugal at a major tournament (18 years and 10 months).
• Lewandowski ended his goal drought for Poland at 646 minutes. This was his first goal since November for his country.
• Portugal has reached the semifinals for the fifth time in their last seven European Championship tournaments.
• Portugal has gone to extra time on six occasions at the European Championship—only the Netherlands (seven) have played more extra time games in the history of the tournament.
• Poland and Portugal are the first teams since France and Italy in 2000 to go to extra time twice at the same European Championship tournament.
Stats courtesy of Opta
BURNING QUESTION
3 STARS
1) Pepe, Portugal: The often-maligned centre back was outstanding for Portugal, making a number of key interceptions and defensive blocks.
2) Kamil Glick, Poland: Like Pepe, he was superb in marshalling his nation’s defence.
3) Ricardo Quaresma, Portugal: The super sub! Gave Portugal some added spring in its step when he came on late, and scored the winning penalty.
TOURNAMENT SO FAR
•Matchday 1 recap: Magnificent Payet rescues France || Typical Giroud performance
•Matchday 2 recap: England gets what it deserves || Bale already proving his worth for Wales
•Matchday 3 recap: Modric pure magic for Croatia || Germany’s Goetze not a false 9
•Matchday 4 recap: Spain’s resolve sees them through || Italy’s experience the difference
•Matchday 5 recap: Portugal blows it || The hoopla over Kiraly’s pants
•Matchday 6 recap: It can be a cruel game at times || What was Deschamps thinking?
•Matchday 7 recap: English relief after beating Wales || You gotta love Northern Ireland
•Matchday 8 recap: Spain sends a message
•Matchday 9 recap: Ronaldo cuts a distraught figure
•Matchday 10 recap: Albania has held its own || In defence of Ronaldo
•Matchday 11 recap: Slim margins could doom England || What is England? Does Hodgson know?
•Matchday 12 recap: Croatia turns tournament on its head ||
•Matchday 13 recap: Ronaldo is just trolling us || England should fear Iceland
•Matchday 14 recap: A day to completely forget in France || Shaqiri’s strike can’t save the day
•Matchday 15 recap: Irish adversity best thing for France
•Matchday 16 recap: Buffon’s ‘Zoff moment’ for Italy || So, what’s next for Italy?
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast (featuring Thomas Dobby, Brendan Dunlop, John Molinaro and James Sharman) takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.