Ronaldo steers Portugal into quarters
Reuters - Sunday 17 June 2012, 20:48
Cristiano Ronaldo at his
thrilling best scored twice for Portugal as they reached the
last eight with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands, eliminating the
Dutch who ended a miserable Euro 2012 campaign without a point.
Man of the match Ronaldo delivered the tournament's best
individual display so far with goals in each half, after Rafael
van der Vaart had raised Dutch hopes with a wonderful strike in
the 11th minute, as they finished runners-up to Germany.
The Germans beat Denmark 2-1 in the other Group B game to
finish with nine points ahead of Portugal on six, Denmark with
three and the Dutch who had nothing to show for their efforts.
Portugal will now face the Czech Republic on Thursday in
Warsaw while the Dutch will go home to lick their wounds.
There was no complaint about the outcome from a Netherlands
team that two years ago were World Cup runners-up but this time
around deserved their place among the tournament's 'also-rans'.
"I am responsible and therefore failed in this tournament
but at this moment I am not thinking about my future," said
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk as the inquest began.
Like the Dutch, Ronaldo had come in for criticism but the
winger's classy touches, electrifying pace and composed
finishing proving to be the difference between the two teams.
For the Netherlands, their first exit from a tournament in
the group stage since winning the European title in 1988 was all
they deserved after three straight defeats.
DESERVED WIN
While the Netherlands, among the pre-tournament favourites,
will search for solutions to their massive under-achievement,
Portugal have little time for reflection.
The Portuguese will prepare for the knockout phase, having
recovered so well from their opening defeat by Germany.
"The win was entirely deserved as was the qualification. The
players had quality, hard work, belief and confidence," said
Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
"They showed this over the whole course. We proved that you
can lose the first game and still qualify," he added.
Finishing second in the toughest group is testament to the
impressive progress of Bento's team who significantly have been
unchanged throughout the tournament.
The Dutch, in contrast, made three changes as Van Marwijk
again searched in vain for the right formula.
His side had to deliver a two-goal victory to have a chance
of squeezing into the last eight and Bundesliga top scorer
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar got his first start of the tournament.
Van Marwijk's plans looked to have been justified by a
confident opening 10 minutes, with smart possession play laying
the foundations for Van der Vaart's glorious opener.
Arjen Robben cut in from the right and slipped the ball to
the midfielder who superbly curled a left-foot shot inside the
post beyond the reach of Rui Patricio for an 11th minute lead.
Yet the goal marked the high tide mark for the men in
orange.
RONALDO THREAT
Soon after, Ronaldo gave an early reminder of his threat on
the counter, powering through before hitting the outside of the
post with a low effort - a sign of things to come.
The Netherlands were surprisingly loose with possession and
it was from a poor give-away by left-back Jetro Willems that
Portugal equalised in the 28th minute.
Joao Pereira threaded a ball to Ronaldo who finished in
characteristic style to send the teams in level at the break.
The Dutch tried to get back in front after the interval but
it was Portugal who got the reward for their positive approach.
Ronaldo created chances for Fabio Coentrao and Nani but in
the 74th minute he decided the outcome in impressive fashion.
Deep in his own half, the winger swung the ball out wide to
Nani on the right who raced goalwards before looking up and
finding Ronaldo in the area where he steadied himself before
firing past Maarten Stekelenburg.
Luck was also against the Dutch when Van der Vaart hit the
post with from 25 metres but the sight of Robin van Persie and
Huntelaar shooting wide in the final minutes was more symbolic.
Ronaldo was determined to complete his riposte to hasty
critics with a hat-trick and nearly got his wish when in the
final minute when he sprinted down the right, screaming for the
ball, collected and struck the post with a left-foot shot.
A third goal would have been just reward for an outstanding
display but cruel on the thousands of travelling Dutch fans who
kindly applauded their team at the conclusion.
Whether many back home believe they deserved that generosity
is likely to be fiercely debated in the days and weeks to come.