Draw specialists Portugal beat Poland on penalties
poland 1-1 Portugal (aet; Portugal win 5-3 on penalties)
Robert Lewandowski's early goal was cancelled out by 18-year-old Renato Sanches, Rui Patricio saving from Jakub Błaszczykowski in the shoot-out.
Poland understandably redoubled their defensive efforts, and with Cristiano Ronaldo shackled, it was down to one from a new generation of Portuguese talent to level proceedings. Renato Sanches, identified as a key player ahead of the match, showed neat footwork to gain space before rifling left-footed past Łukasz Fabiański via a slight deflection.
Where Lewandowski and strike partner Arkadiusz Milik were lively in the first half, they rarely threatened in the second. Ronaldo, at the other end, was eager but ineffective, twice fluffing his lines in great positions in the box. José Fonte and Pepe both wasted headed opportunities as Portugal sought a winner in normal time but again they were held come full-time, and so an additional 30 minutes ensued.
Portugal had beaten Croatia in extra time in the last 16, and Ronaldo again failed to connect from close range in the opening exchanges. Subsequently it was Poland who threatened more, but there would be no further scoring.
Poland won their last-16 tie against Switzerland in a shoot-out but, after seven perfect penalties, Rui Patricio dived to his left to brilliantly keep out Poland's fourth kick from Jakub Błaszczykowski. That left Ricardo Quaresma to smash in and seal Portugal's progress.
No comments :
Post a Comment