In the second half Poland started off on the front-foot, Portugal couldn’t get on the ball in the opening minutes. Lewandowski tried 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 breakk, with Krychowiak steaming forwards in midfield but he was cynically dragged back by Carvalho – resulting in a yellow and a suspension should Portugal reach the semi-finals.
Poland 1-1 Portugal
EXTRA TIME TO COME
Goals: Lewandowski 8’, Sanches 32’,
Source: transfermarketweb.com