Petr Cech makes a save on Cristiano Ronaldo (AP Images)
I'm not sure how many people gave the Czech Republic a chance versus Portugal today, but for the most part, they acquitted themselves well. Petr Cech had a great game in goal, and were it not for a fantastic header by Cristiano Ronaldo, this match very well might have seen extra time. However, in the end the Portugal captain provided the needed moment of magic to send his country through to the semifinals.
The Czechs actually came out of the tunnel really well and pressed Portugal through much of the first half. In the 17th minute Vladimir Darida sent a cross into the six, but Miguel Baros just missed it. It woke the Portugal side up just a bit.
Portugal gradually came more into the match as the half wore on. In the 25th minute Ronaldo made a turn in the Czech penalty area and unleashed a shot that was well saved by Cech. Howard Webb called Ronaldo for a foul on the play, but it was just a taste of what CR7 would have in mind for the Czechs. In the 34th minute he sent a free kick just wide of the far post. Finally in first half stoppage time he saw another shot bounce off the woodwork. The Czechs limped in to the half lucky to still be on even terms.
The second half was all Portugal. The Czechs barely got a sniff of the ball through the entire 45 minutes. In the 49th minute Ronaldo hit the post again and then looked to the heavens in frustration like the drama queen he is.
Still Portugal seemed to have an issue penetrating the Czech goal. In the 58th minute Hugo Almeida appeared to have scored from a Nani cross, but he was correctly ruled offside. The Czechs took a sigh of relief and wondered if their luck would hold into extra time.
That was not to be though, and it was Cristiano Ronaldo who finally provided the breakthrough Portugal needed. In the 79th minute Joao Moutinho sent a spot on cross into the 6. Ronaldo dove into action, heading the ball powerfully into the ground at the feet of Petr Cech. The ball took a wicked bounce over the Chelsea 'keeper and into the top of the net to make it 0-1 Portugal.
In the end the Czechs would fail to threaten the Portugal goal, despite calling Petr Cech up for a last minute corner. Ronaldo and company held on to the 0-1 win and sent the Czechs packing. They certainly had a great tournament, especially after losing the first match 4-1 to Russia then winning the group. It just wasn't to be today, Portugal was just too big of an ask. They will play the winner of Spain vs France in the semifinals.
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