Thursday, 28 June 2012
EURO 2012: CR-7 AND PORTUGAL IN PAINS AS SPAIN MAKES THE FINAL CUT
After a scintillating and classic display of football, Spain managed to beat a hard fighting Portuguese side 4-2 on penalties to progress to their second straight Euro Cup final to be played in Kiev.
Cesc Fabregas scored the winning penalty off the post to send Spain through, after Portugal's Bruno Alves hit the crossbar and Iker Casillas saved Joao Moutinho's spot kick.
Cristiano Ronaldo had several chances for Portugal, but he sent three shots well over the bar as his team held its own for the entire match. The Real Madrid forward, who came alive with three goals in his last two matches at the tournament, did not take a penalty in the shootout. He had been slated to take the fifth one, but it didn't get that far.
A whole lot of people did not give Portugal any chance against the current World and European chances but as Vicente Del Bosque's side went about trying to establish a passing rhythm, Portugal went all out to break it up, and to some extent succeeding. And for me, Flavio Coentrao played the game of his life last night.This makes it the fifth Euro Cup semi-final ouster for the Portuguese, perhaps they will have to wait another four years to have a go at the European championship once again.
I played poorly, but the team worked really hard," Fabregas said. "I had this intuition that we could advance if we went to penalties and that's what we did. "Being in another final is a miracle," Fabregas said. "It's really incredible."
In the shootout, Xabi had the first attempt saved by Patricio. Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas then saved Joao Moutinho's shot. Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos then all scored for Spain. Pepe and Nani scored for Portugal.
"The first one wasn't so lucky, and then we scored the rest of them," Casillas said. "Yes, we really were lucky. Everything is about luck sometimes."
Spain now eagerly awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Germany and Italy which promises to be another cracker, for a final showdown this sunday.
Cesc Fabregas scored the winning penalty off the post to send Spain through, after Portugal's Bruno Alves hit the crossbar and Iker Casillas saved Joao Moutinho's spot kick.
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| Spanish Players Celebrate Their Victory. |
Cristiano Ronaldo had several chances for Portugal, but he sent three shots well over the bar as his team held its own for the entire match. The Real Madrid forward, who came alive with three goals in his last two matches at the tournament, did not take a penalty in the shootout. He had been slated to take the fifth one, but it didn't get that far.
A whole lot of people did not give Portugal any chance against the current World and European chances but as Vicente Del Bosque's side went about trying to establish a passing rhythm, Portugal went all out to break it up, and to some extent succeeding. And for me, Flavio Coentrao played the game of his life last night.This makes it the fifth Euro Cup semi-final ouster for the Portuguese, perhaps they will have to wait another four years to have a go at the European championship once again.
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| Fabregs Celebrating With Skipper And Goal Keeper Iker Casillas After Scoring The Decisive Penalty. |
In the shootout, Xabi had the first attempt saved by Patricio. Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas then saved Joao Moutinho's shot. Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos then all scored for Spain. Pepe and Nani scored for Portugal.
"The first one wasn't so lucky, and then we scored the rest of them," Casillas said. "Yes, we really were lucky. Everything is about luck sometimes."
Spain now eagerly awaits the winner of the second semi-final between Germany and Italy which promises to be another cracker, for a final showdown this sunday.
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