In case you missed it, here are the highlights from Thursday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final match between Portugal and the Czech Republic in Warsaw.
The score
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his third goal of the tournament in the 79th minute to lift Portugal to a 1-0 win.
What this result means
Portugal moves on to the semifinals next Wednesday in Donetsk, Ukraine where it will meet the winner of Saturday’s quarter-final between Spain and France.
The major storyline
Honestly, what more can Cristiano Ronaldo do?
The Portuguese prince was at his best once again on Thursday, putting in a man-of-the-match performance and scoring the winning goal with 11 minutes remaining in regulation time to propel Portugal into the semifinals.
It was Ronaldo’s third goal in two matches at the tournament, and truth be told he could have had more, hitting the woodwork twice before finally beating Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech with a powerful header.
The Real Madrid star was the best player on the pitch by a good distance, using his incredible touch, speed and sublime ball control to taunt and tease the ultra-defensive Czechs. But for all of his domination of the proceedings, he couldn’t find the back of the net, as the Czechs parked all 11 players behind the ball for most of the match.
With time winding down it looked as though the conservative Czechs, whose first instinct was to destroy rather than create, would force extra time.
But cometh the hour, cometh the man — Ronaldo stepped up to the breach, delivering the fatal blow that broke Czech hearts.
Whether Roanldo’s majestic winning goal was enough to finally silence his critics remains to be seen.
The knock on Ronaldo, much like Lionel Messi, is that he "doesn’t step up" in big games for Portugal. In between making childish snipes about his hairstyle, his most vocal critics argue he hasn’t been able to duplicate his outstanding club form when he puts on the national team jersey.
But such criticism is unfair as it is misguided, considering the lack of support and attacking depth on Portugal’s national team, and how the Real Madrid star is expected to carry the attacking burden practically on his own.
Also, consider that Ronaldo is his country’s third all-time leading scorer — he’s scored more goals for Portugal than no less of a legend than Luis Figo – and that it is largely because of his prowess that his country is one win away from reaching its first final at a major tournament in eight years.
With Messi sitting at home as a spectator back in Argentina, Ronaldo has this summer stage all to himself, and thus far he’s made the most of it. If he can continue this marvellous run of form and lead Portugal to glory in the final on July 1, he will leapfrog the magical Messi as the top contender for the Ballon d’Or — and maybe finally quiet his many detractors.
Interesting tidbits
Cristiano Ronaldo has 35 goals for Portugal, three more than Luis Figo. Only Pauleta (47) and Eusebio (41) have scored more often for Portugal.
All 25 matches at Euro 2012 thus far have produced at least one goal — there has not been a single 0-0 draw.
Portugal has made it to the knockout stages of the European Championship all six times it has participated in the competition.
The only other time Portugal lost its opening game of the European Championship was in 2004. They recovered and made it to the final.
These teams met each other at the same stage of Euro ’96. The Czechs won 1-0 en route to reaching the final. Portugal defeated the Czechs 3-1 in the group stage of Euro 2008.
Goal of the game
There was only one to choose from, but oh boy was it ever sweet. Joao Moutinho delivered an inch perfect cross from the right flank deep into the box, and Cristiano Ronaldo perfectly timed his run to powerfully head it home with 11 minutes left in regulation.
Save of the game
With the game tied 0-0 and Portugal pressing, Moutinho unleashed a fierce shot from 20 yards out that forced a fantastic fingertip save from Petr Cech in the 64th minute
Burning questions
What is the better matchup for Portugal: France or Spain?
Would the presence of captain Tomas Rosicky, ruled out through injury, made any kind of difference for the Czech Republic?
Should Portuguese fans be worried that Ronaldo has accounted for half of his team’s goals at this tournament?
3 stars
1) Cristiano Ronaldo: The Real Madrid star was the driving force behind the Portuguese attack, and it was his third goal of the competition that clinched a semifinal berth for his country.
2) Joao Moutinho: The right back was again a solid presence in defence and a threat going forward — he created scoring chances for himself and it was his cross that led to Ronaldo’s goal.
3) Tomas Hubschman: The defensive midfielder was the hero for the Czechs, breaking up countless attacks and doing his best to thwart the likes of Ronaldo and Nani.