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Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal

By Tom RostanceBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Euro 2012comments47

Cristiano Ronaldo capped a magnificent display with the match-winning goal as Portugal powered past Czech Republic and into the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

Ronaldo, who scored twice against the Netherlands, hit the woodwork in each half with fine strikes.

And he finally found the net with 12 minutes remaining, thumping a header into the ground and beyond Petr Cech.

Czech Republic failed to muster a shot on target as they rarely threatened throughout a tense evening.

Portugal will now face Spain or France for a place in the final, and with surely Europe's best player beginning to show his very best form, they could take some stopping.

The Real Madrid forward was instrumental in guiding Portugal through Group B, putting a sloppy display against Denmark behind him to score both goals against the Netherlands on Sunday.

And after a slow start to this quarter-final in Warsaw, the world's most expensive player grew in stature to dominate the action in impressive fashion.

Czech Republic enjoyed a strong opening 15 minutes, with right-back Theodor Gebre Selassie initially effective in a man-marking role on Ronaldo, but once the former Manchester United man threw off his shackles and began to roam in a free role he lit up proceedings.

Shot Zones

He had already been harshly penalised by referee Howard Webb when running through the middle of the defence before striking the post after a moment of genius.

Ronaldo controlled Raul Meireles's long pass on his chest, turned defender Michal Kadlec effortlessly and beat Cech with a shot that thundered against the base of the post and rebounded to safety.

He hit the post again - the fourth time in four games he had struck the woodwork - after the break with a trademark dipping free-kick from 30 yards as Paulo Bento's side mounted a siege on Cech's goal.

Substitute Hugo Almeida then saw a header correctly ruled out for offside and also wasted two further efforts before the breakthrough came - inevitably - from Ronaldo.

The impressive Joao Moutinho broke from midfield down the right before standing up a cross to the back post.

Ronaldo met the cross with a fierce header which bounced down and then into the roof of the net for his third goal of the tournament.

It was his 66th goal for club and country in an incredible season.

Michal Bilek's Czech side had shrugged off in their opener to reach the last eight, but, again shorn of injured captain Tomas Rosicky, they looked limited going forward and never tested Rui Patricio in the Portuguese net on their way to a limp exit.

In contrast, Portugal will move on confident of reaching a second European Championship final in three tournaments, knowing that in Ronaldo they unquestionably possess the most potent weapon in European football.

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47 comments

  • Comment posted by U11816256, at 04:57 22 Jun 2012

    RE:GrantSC "However to refer to him as 'Europe's best player' or 'the most potent weapon in European football' is to sell Messi short."

    Pretty sure he's talking about how Ronaldo is the best player in the Euro's, and he would be right, seeing as Messi is South American. Inferring the point from the context is always a good reading skill to possess when it comes to reading articles...

  • Comment posted by U10506409, at 23:57 21 Jun 2012

    Well done Portugal, our side just lacked the quality, experience, stamina to match them. Really shows this Czech side almost surpassed themselves going this far, hardly world-class, but at least working hard. Many young and new players, tho, I have some hope for them. Just to put matters to proportion: Gebre Selassie is earning some 1000EUR/week, similar for Limbersky, Darida... Not a bad show.

  • Comment posted by U14489194, at 23:50 21 Jun 2012

    Wow...one minute in the newspapers Ronaldo does not defend, followed by Ronaldo carries the team. They have won because they have DEFENDED well and SCORED. As for being an average side, it is just parroting what BBC commentators say...yes they need a midfield maestro like Sneijder/Ozil and a striker that scores goals. Lacking that, the only thing left is wing play and counter-attacking football.

  • Comment posted by U12750806, at 11:01 22 Jun 2012

    Please can we not have Jonathan Pearce and Martin Keown doing Portugal's semi-final? I cannot bear another 90 minutes of that pair having orgasms over everything Ronaldo does.

  • Comment posted by U13741921, at 08:36 22 Jun 2012

    I watched most of that match on the BBC, I had to turn it off after a while. The way the commentators were fawning over Ronaldo was sickening. He's just another (admittedly pretty good) player out there doing his job, he doesn't need idiots salivating every time he gets the ball.

  • Comment posted by Chebs, at 08:09 22 Jun 2012

    Im sorry but everyone is banging on about Ronaldo a hero and brilliant etc etc, he was very quiet in the first half,scored a simple goal against a resilient yet uncreative team.he has scored 3 goals but he has lacked team skills,would rather shoot than pass, with hands on hips if he loses the ball,hope Portugal get battered off Spain if Torres scores I wonder will they be saying oh what a hero

  • Comment posted by The Realist, at 17:49 22 Jun 2012

    I don't understand half the people commenting here. Ronaldo is arrogant, just like the rest of the very best in their own sport. From Ali to Schumacher to Pele, they are all arrogant and it appears to be a requirement to be the best, arrogance stems from self belief and contrary to popular thought, Messi is the same.

    And I would class Ronaldo as a great. 146 goals in 144 games for Real Madrid.

  • Comment posted by U15312244, at 15:36 22 Jun 2012

    Portugal are looking ominous and I would fancy them against France or Spain. The one team I think they will struggle against would be the Germans. Despite this if they were to attack them more than they did in the opening game I think they have a very good chance of winning this tournament.

    http://jedidiahgore.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/greece-hoping-for-2004-esque.html

  • Comment posted by dom, at 13:44 22 Jun 2012

    It would be hard to really criticise Ronaldo's performance in the game last night. He was clearly the difference between the teams, and scored a great headed goal. He is selfish, that is plain for all to see, but he is pulling his team with him, and they could win it, but the defence may let them down. Remenber chaps, you don't have to like Ronny, but you would want him in your team.

  • Comment posted by U1664821, at 13:01 22 Jun 2012

    I echo what VC said , a lot of the anti-Ronaldo comments are based on jealousy pure and simple. When you are the best player in the world it's natural to have confidence, which can be seen as arrogant. Who wouldn't be if they were supremely talented, good looking and rich?

  • Comment posted by U15314215, at 12:46 22 Jun 2012

    Arrogant? Ronaldo is no different to Cantona, Mourinho, Brian Clough and all other individuals that are exceptional in the profession that they exercise their trade in. Blessed with two great feet, adored by women across the world and a multi millionaire! Some of the "critique" posts are of men that would like to be in his shoes and are slightly jealous and sad with their own mundane lifestyle.

  • Comment posted by U14417203, at 11:00 22 Jun 2012

    while many of you blind jealous bloggers dont get about ronaldo is that he will always improve and play when ever he wants..many talking about how he will not show up if they meet spain..blablablabla..the same ronaldo that banged the winning tittle goal right there at th nou camp with the hard core of spain midfield ++++ Messi on the same pitchin front of over 90,0000+catalonians fans..sorry case

  • Comment posted by Vogon, at 09:14 22 Jun 2012

    Didn't think it was so much the magnificent display by Ronaldo...more the poor defending by Czech Republic..The amount of space he had for the goal was unbelievable,I can't believe an experienced team could leave him totally unmarked at any time during the game,but for a set piece was suicidal.
    Cech did well to keep them in the game up to that point,but with that lack of cover he was stranded.

  • Comment posted by Tubbyturner, at 07:18 22 Jun 2012

    l think its rubbish to suggest the CR were playing for penalties.For the lst 35mins they were the better side.Like l said,the game was no better than the England v Ukraine game.To suggest either side were better is poppycock.lt was no wonder Ronaldo 'looked' a world class player in such a poor advert for football.l cant wait for the ltalian game.Something tells me it will be something similar!

  • Comment posted by U1996526, at 05:11 22 Jun 2012

    Everyone criticising the Czechs as poor or negative seems to be forgetting the first 35 minutes! The Czechs WERE attacking and Portugal were not in it but - then in the last ten minutes they came to life suddenly.
    Second half was all Portugal but, even before the goal, the Czechs were trying to go forward.
    Criticising the Czechs is being unfair on the Portuguese - they made it difficult for them.

  • Comment posted by U14460683, at 04:25 22 Jun 2012

    There is no doubt that Ronaldo is a world-class and gifted player. His off-the-ball skills are phenomal. I am talking about his countless (annoying) stepovers (which lets be honest aren't really a skill) at least Messi runs with the ball glued to his feet in a more poetic and fluid style. Messi is a much more attractive player and person in comparison to Ronaldo!

  • Comment posted by Its Chicho time, at 16:56 22 Jun 2012

    If ever anybody needed clarification on the term ABU, this tournament has provided it. From Ashley Young being at fault for not doing Cole's job for him, to Keown's repeated criticism of Nani and lack of credit being given when deserved.We now see a hero-worship attitude towards Ronaldo, at odds with his pre-Madrid haranguing.

    Portugal will benefit from not being able to field the poor Postiga.

  • Comment posted by U15235555, at 16:24 22 Jun 2012

    Disappointed the Czechs ran out of steam after just half an hour, but well done to Portugal for getting a grip of the game and getting the job done. Ronaldo header for me up there with Carroll's, great bit of predatory play.

  • Comment posted by tc_somerset, at 15:06 22 Jun 2012

    Raul Meireles is a terrible player. There, i had to get that off my chest. Watching him last night, even as a neutral, had me pulling my hair out. I can't be the only one thinking it?

  • Comment posted by s_muel, at 14:50 22 Jun 2012

    @ David Kelly.

    Don't think people will be eating their words, as he was a show pony in his early United days. Its Ronaldo who has changed for the better and long may it continue. It has definitely been Messi's approach to football that has made Ronaldo stop acting so much like an idiot. To see the Worlds greatest player be so humble i personally believe has made Ronaldo act differently.

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