Portugal secured their second consecutive semi final in the European Cup with a tense 5-3 shooutout win after a 1-1 draw in Marseille.
Poland struck early on, with a goal from Białe Orły captain Robert Lewandowski after just a minute and 40 seconds, one of the quickest goals in Championships history. However, Portugal pulled it level 30 minutes later, with Renato Sanches netting after some wonderful build up play for the Portuguese. Portugal were previously denied a penalty just a few minutes earlier after Cristiano Ronaldo was pushed in the box by Michał Pazdan.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
With neither side being able to break the deadlock, the match progressed to extra time and then penalties for the second time this tournament, where Poland could not secure a second consecutive win on penalties after Jakub Błaszczykowski was denied by the keeper.
Here are some key points to take out of the first quarter-final.
Portugal struggling to get it done in 90
For the second time in their campaign, Portugal took their knockout tie to 120 minutes, this time requiring the lottery of the penalty spot to send their side through to the final four. However, it is no doubt a worrying sign for Portuguese manager Fernando Santos that his side has been unable to secure a win after 90 minutes so far in France.
With Portugal still winless in 90 minutes at Euro 2016, they need to get firing earlier before the effects of a consistent 120 minutes of football starts to set in. With a big semi final against the winner of the Wales and Belgium to come, Portugal need to figure out how to secure a result earlier if they want to be in top shape for the final.
DEFENDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE PATRÍCIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #Euro2016 #POLPOR #POR
— selecaoportugal (@selecaoportugal) June 30, 2016
A huge night for Renato Sanches
It was a record breaking night for the young Benfica midfielder, with Sanches becoming the youngest player ever to start at the European Championships and the youngest player to find the back of the net for Portugal in the Euros after his 32nd minute shot wormed its way past keeper Łukasz Fabianski.
With plenty of attacking runs and solid work in defence, Sanches was one of the standout players on the pitch for Portugal. With a move already confirmed for the young midfielder – he will be joining Bayern Munich for the 2016-17 season for a reporded €35 million, the highest transfer fee for a Portuguese player out of their domestic league – his performance in this match will no doubt reassure Bayern and Portugal fans that their future is in safe and potentially encouraging hands.
Ronaldo has yet another shocker
The Portuguese captain has not been in the best of form in France, and this match was no exception. Ronaldo once again squandered all of his chances up front, often failing to connect with the ball or sending his shots too wide to put any pressure on Fabianski. Despite netting his penalty in the shootout, Ronaldo has missed at least four clear-cut chances at the Euros, including two in the match against Poland. While Portugal own the match regardless of Ronaldo’s contribution, there is no doubt he could and can do more and it is clear the Real Madrid striker needs to get firing if Portugal want to be lifting the trophy.
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