sport
  • European Championship Finals
  • 17 June 2012, 7:45pm
  • Metalist Stadium
PortugalPortugalvHollandHolland
2
  • Ronaldo, 28
  • Ronaldo, 74
1
  • van der Vaart, 11

live commentary

  • European Championship Finals
  • 17 June 2012, 7:45pm
  • Metalist Stadium
PortugalPortugalvHollandHolland
2
  • Ronaldo, 28
  • Ronaldo, 74
1
  • van der Vaart, 11

match report

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal's passage into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals as he scored both goals in a 2-1 Group B win over Holland.

Rafael van der Vaart curled home an early opener for the Dutch in Sunday's clash in Kharkiv before Ronaldo plundered a fine equaliser.

The Real Madrid star then sealed victory in the 67th minute, setting up a quarter-final against the Czech Republic in Warsaw next Thursday.

The 27-year-old responded to criticism of his form with a mesmerising display topped by a goal in each half to ensure Portugal finished the 'group of death' as runners-up behind Germany.

Apart from van der Vaart's fine early strike, Holland were poor, ensuring a team considered among the pre-tournament favourites finished bottom of Group B without a point to their name.

The match was 11 minutes old when Holland's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals were given a shot in the arm.

Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben weaved a path to the edge of the area where van der Vaart was waiting to steer an inch-perfect finish into the bottom left corner.

A moment of madness from Gregory van der Wiel almost saw Holland concede the advantage but, having inexplicably passed the ball to Helder Postiga, he watched in relief as the Portugal striker shot wide with only Maarten Stekelenburg to beat.

Stekelenburg then kept out a well-struck header by Ronaldo, who would not be denied in the 28th minute.

The initial damage was done by Joao Pereira's defence-splitting pass after Jetro Willems had given the ball away, and Ronaldo rewarded his vision with a composed first touch and slick finish.

Nani missed narrowly, but it was Portugal's captain who was the prominent figure on the pitch as he twice went close to seizing the lead.

The Netherlands' defence was in danger over being over-run with Ronaldo cast at their tormentor in chief with Portugal pushing for a second.

He continued to attack the Dutch early in the second half, but his side should have trailed in the 53th minute.

Wesley Sneijder crossed from the left to the unmarked Ron Vlaar only for his clumsy attempted header to drift off-target from close range.

Postiga had a goal disallowed for offside before Fabio Coentrao was denied by sharp reactions from Stekelenburg, who then frustrated Nani from point-blank range after a marauding run by Ronaldo.

The Portugal wingers combined once again in the 74th minute, and this time Holland cracked.

A swift counter attack down the right ended with Nani feeding a long pass to Ronaldo who dummied his shot, took the ball into space and prodded home.

Van der Vaart curled an effort onto the right post as Holland produced a strong finish, but there was still time for Ronaldo to hit the woodwork.

team line-up

12Rui Patricio
2Bruno Alves
21João Pereira
3Pepe
5Fábio Coentrão
8João Moutinho
17Nani87
4Miguel Veloso
16Raul Meireles72
23Helder Postiga64
7Cristiano Ronaldo

substitutes

9Hugo Almeida
22Beto
13Ricardo Costa
11Nélson Oliveira64
6Custódio72
1Eduardo
10Ricardo Quaresma
19Miguel Lopes
14Rolando87
15Ruben Micael
18Silvestre Varela
20Hugo Viana

referee

Nicola Rizzoli

team line-up

1Maarten Stekelenburg
2Gregory Van der Wiel
4Joris Mathijsen
15Jetro Willems67
13Ron Vlaar
11Arjen Robben
23Rafael van der Vaart
10Wesley Sneijder
8Nigel de Jong
16Robin van Persie
9Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

substitutes

20Ibrahim Afellay67
21Khalid Boulahrouz
14Stijn Schaars
12Michel Vorm
6Mark van Bommel
19Luciano Narsingh
3Johnny Heitinga
5Wilfred Bouma
18Luuk de Jong
22Tim Krul
7Dirk Kuyt
17Kevin Strootman

referee

Nicola Rizzoli

match stats

possession %3861
shots on target83
shots off target137
corners75
tackles won127
offsides41