Portugal are the first team through to the Semi-finals of Euro 2016 after defeating Poland on penalties in am all too-close match.
Poland started the game well, making good use of possession and looking dangerous on the counter attack. In the 8th minute Lewandowski emphatically announced himself at Euro 2016! Cedric, who had just made a very good tackle on Grosicki, misread the bounce off of a cross ball and watches it arrive at Grosicki’s feet behind him. Grosicki sprinted forwards and gifted ball back to Lewandowski, who shot from the penalty spot and scored.
At the fifteen minute mark Poland gifted Portugal a free-kick at 40 yards out. Ronaldo went for it, however, his strike smashed into Poland’s wall.
However, Poland’s lead was not to last for long. In the 32nd minute Portuguese wonder-kid Renato Sanches thundered a left-footed shot into the corner from the edge of the box on his international debut!
Portugal’s spirits began to lift after equalising and both sides made a game of the remaining 15 minutes of the half. In the 40th Jedrzejczyk was booked for holding on to Carvalho as the Portugal midfielder tried to run clear on the halfway line. It was needless foul and means he would have been suspended for the semi-final, if Poland had made it through.
In the second half Poland start off on the front-foot, Portugal couldn’t get on the ball in the opening minutes. Lewandowski tries a low header at goal but he couldn’t generate the power or direction to bother Patricio. An impressive start from Poland, that mirrored the one they made in the first half.
However, Portugal soon began to gain purchase in the game again. Sanches blitzed up the right flank for Portugal, jinking one way and the other and then laying the ball off to Cedric hit the cross too deep. Adrian Silva picked up the ball on the left and swung in a cross aimed at Ronaldo. His leap near Fabianski discomforts the keeper, who drops the cross before gathering it at the second attempt.
Moments later, Sanches made another cross into the box, but it found no-one. The following five minutes saw Ronaldo slapping shots at Poland’s goal to no avail. Portugal continued to spend the rest of the second half camped inside Poland’s half.
In the 80th minute Jedrzejczyk almost scored an own goal from 18 yards! Pepe tried to thread a ball in behind the full-back to Ronaldo, who would have had a clear shot on goal from 12 yards, but Jedrzejczyk’s outstretched boot got a vital touch that prevented a clear chance but also makes the whole of Poland hold its breath! The resulting corner goes nowhere for Portugal.
In the 90th minute Poland’s defence and midfield was spread across the penalty area. Portugal probed but they couldn’t find a way through. Poland break, with Krychowiak steaming forwards in midfield but he was cynically dragged back by Carvalho – resulting in a yellow and a suspension from the semi-finals.
Extra time was frantic from the offset as both sides were determined to score a winner.
In the 92nd minute Ronaldo messes up again! Eliseu whipped a fierce ballin with his left foot that Ronaldo just has to divert into the net. With his left boot he missesed the ball again.
Minutes later Poland got a chance. Piszczek fed Lewandowski on the left wing. The big striker hit a fantastic ball across the six-yard box but Milik couldn’t get to it. Cedric watched it run past him and clears.
In the 107th minute Poland won a corner. Milik took it but there was no danger for Portugal who clear.
Minutes later there was a pitch invader! He ran towards Ronaldo but security brought him down - both sets of players were visibly annoyed at the time wasted. Moments later Portugal get a corner, but this set-piece too also goes nowhere.
In the 118th minute Blaszczykowski tapped the ball in towards Lewandowski but Pepe headed it clear under a lot of pressure. 2 minutes later the whistle blows and it’s onto penalties!
Poland 1-1 Portugal
Goals: Lewandowski 8’, Sanches 32’
Penalties: 3-5
Poland: Lewandowski, Milik, Gilk Portugal: Ronaldo, Sanches, Moutinho, Nani, Quaresma
Source: transfermarketweb.com