Czech Republic 0 Portugal 1: Ronaldo roars into semis after nodding devastating decider
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UPDATED:
20:53 GMT, 21 June 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo headed Portugal into the semi-finals of the European Championships at the expense of the Czech Republic in Warsaw.
The Real Madrid forward had twice hit the woodwork and seen his side have a goal chalked out for offside before he arrived on cue in the six-yard box to nod in Joao Moutinho's cross on 79 minutes.
The Czechs – with captain Tomas Rosicky, the Arsenal midfielder, only on the bench because of an achilles injury – had started brightly, but lacked a decisive move in the final third.
On the money: Cristiano Ronaldo wheels away after hitting the winner
Match facts
Czech Republic: Cech, Gebre Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky, Hubschman (Pekhart 86), Plasil, Jiracek, Darida (Rezek 61), Pilar, Baros. Subs not used: Lastuvka, Suchy, Hubnik, Necid, Rosicky, Petrzela, Rajtoral, Kolar, Lafata, Drobny.
Booked: Limbersky.
Portugal: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Meireles (Rolando 88), Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Nani (Custodio 84), Postiga (Almeida 39), Ronaldo. Subs not used: Eduardo, Quaresma, Nelson Oliveira, Ricardo Costa, Ruben Micael, Varela, Miguel Lopes, Hugo Viana, Beto.
Booked: Nani, Veloso.
Scorer: Ronaldo 79.
Referee: Howard Webb (England).
Attendance: 58,145.
It had been a decent opening from
Michal Bilek's side as Petr Jiracek drilled the ball in from 20 yards,
but his effort was blocked by Real Madrid defender Pepe.
Portugal coach Paulo Bento named an
unchanged side having beaten Holland to qualify behind Germany out of
the 'Group of Death' for the last eight.
Manchester United winger Nani and
Madrid star Ronaldo, who would miss the semi-final if he picked up
another caution, were the most lively for the Portuguese.
On 17 minutes, the Czech Republic, who
overcame a 4-1 defeat in their opening game against Russia to win Group
A, broke quickly down the right and Vladimir Darida whipped over a low
cross through the six-yard box, which Galatasaray striker Milan Baros
just failed to connect with.
Ronaldo was played into the Czech box,
holding off Michal Kadlec, and drilled the ball goalwards with Chelsea
keeper Petr Cech making a smart save. However, English referee Howard
Webb had blown for a foul by the Portugal forward, who could not believe
the decision against him.
Thumping: Cristiano Ronaldo nods Portugal into the semi-finals with this magnificent header
On 26 minutes, Nani went into the Yorkshireman's notebook after tripping David Limbersky.
The game was starting to open up as
Czech full-back Theodor Gebre Selassie cut in from the right and
crossed, with Pepe again alert to clear the danger.
At the other end, Ronaldo – who netted a brace against the Dutch – went close with an overhead kick at the far post.
Chalked off: Substitute Hugo Almeida had the ball in the net, but his header was disallowed for offside
The former Manchester United forward was then just off target again with an ambitious long-range free-kick.
Portugal were forced into a change six
minutes before half-time when striker Helder Postiga pulled up with
what appeared to be a hamstring problem, and was replaced by 6ft 3in
Besiktas frontman Hugo Almeida.
Nani claimed for a penalty after going
down in the box under close attention from Limbersky, but the referee
was unconvinced, with TV replays showing the United forward slipped
rather than was pushed.
Frustration: Cristiano Ronaldo sees his shot crash against the post following some fantastic footwork
Familiar routine: Cristiano Ronaldo blasts a free-kick
Portugal continued to press and
Ronaldo was within inches of a spectacular opening goal when he
collected a high ball into the box on his chest, swivelled around marker
Kadlec and crashed the ball past Cech – only for it to strike the base
of the near post.
There was another great chance for
Portugal at the start of the second half, when Almeida headed over from
12 yards after being picked out by Raul Meireles' cross.
On 50 minutes, Ronaldo was denied by
the woodwork again as this time his 30-yard free-kick clipped the
outside of the far post with Cech beaten.
Over he goes: Cristiano Ronaldo tries his luck with an overhead kick
One way to stop him: Tomas Sivok and David Limbersky gang up on Cristiano Ronaldo
The Chelsea keeper then had to parry
away a 25-yard strike from Nani, and only an offside flag prevented
Portugal taking a deserved lead on 57 minutes when Almeida glanced in
the United winger's cross.
The Czechs produced a counter-attack
when Vaclav Pilar charged down the left and into the penalty area, only
to produce a poor final pass, which was hacked clear.
Portugal were soon back on the offensive as Moutinho's dipping 25-yard effort was tipped over.
Crunch time: Petr Cech clears his lines
Kadlec was then left in a heap after being clattered by goalkeeper Cech, who punched clear at the edge of the penalty area.
The Chelsea man's goal was leading a charmed life, as Nani's floated ball was deflected behind.
Ronaldo finally broke the deadlock on 79 minutes, when he sent a diving header past Cech from Moutinho's right-wing cross.
Watching brief: Portuguese luminaries Eusebio and Figo were in Warsaw
Portugal continued to pour forwards, with Cech beating away an angled 25-yard effort from full-back Joao Pereira.
Ronaldo went down under a challenge
from Gebre Selassie and, although he appeared to be caught by the Czech
defender, referee Webb again waved play on.
Portugal saw out four minutes of
stoppage time to secure their place in the semi-finals, where they will
face either Spain or France.
