Soccer, Czech Republic, Cristiano Rolando, Portugal, euro 2012
Cristiano Ronaldo wasted a number of golden opportunities to score goals last night, but it was the Portuguese football prodigy who once again came up with the winner. Thanks to a thrusting header from Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal acquired a 1-0 win over Czech Republic in the first quarterfinal of Euro 2012.
The Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo struck the woodwork twice before heading the game’s only goal into the back of the net in the 79th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored three goals in last two matches for Portugal.
“I remember in the last game I hit the post twice, too,” Cristiano Ronaldo said in his post match interview. “But the most important thing is I managed to score this time, we won and are in the semifinals. Now it is big smiles and good music.”
Portugal will now play against either Spain or France in the semifinal stage of Euro 2012 which will be held in Donetsk, Ukraine, next Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the savior of Portugal in the last game of the group stages too. The former Manchester United forward scored two goals against Netherlands to take Portugal into the quarterfinal stage of Euro 2012.
The Czech Republic had a good game against Portugal during both halves of the game. Goalkeeper Petr Cech was kept on his toes for most of the game in spite of which Czech Republic managed to make a number attacks on Portugal.
Czech Republic set off most of their in front Cristiano Ronaldo for most of the game. This eventually dried most of the creativeness from Portugal’s attack.
“In the second half, we lost our strength and determination and they had one chance that decided the match,” the Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek said in his post game interview.
Undoubtedly, Portugal is playing impressively in Euro 2012 but they are squandering to many chances to score goals.
“We have suffered,” Nani admitted. “But we always wanted to win and that’s what we showed. We were superior, then we scored and we really deserved this result.”
When the referee blew the final whistle, Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to his knees before jumping into Miguel Veloso’s arms to celebrate Portugal’s victory. Portugal is now just one game away from its second European Championship final in eight years.
Portugal will prefer to play against France in the semifinal stage of Euro 2012. Cristiano Ronaldo would certainly love to swing in a couple of weak strikes in front of France’s weak defense.
