The match had to be decided on spot-kicks after ending 1-1 in full time. Portugal’s hero was goalkeeper Rui Patricio who saved a penalty taken by Jakub Blaszczykowski. The save allowed Ricardo Quaresma to score the winning penalty.
Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski had put Poland ahead in the second minute before Renato Sanches equalized for Poland to level the scores in full time.
EURO’s youngest scorers
18yrs 141 days: Vonlanthen
18yrs 237 days: Rooney
18yrs 317 days: Renato Sanches#EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/M4L4TEEu4A— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 30, 2016
Worth noting is that Portugal has sailed to the last four without winning a match in normal time. They picked three draws in the group stages to finish third and still made it to the knock-out stage where they needed post-match penalties to send Croatia home.
Both teams scored their first three penalties with ease. Lewandowski, Arkadiusz Milik and Kamil Glik scored for Poland after Cristiano Ronaldo, Sanches and Joao Moutinho had netted for their opponents. Nani then put Portugal ahead before Patricio saved Blaszczykowski’s effort.
Then Quaresma scored the decisive penalty to send Portugal to the last four.
Portugal’s star player Cristiano Ronaldo was not in his best element throughout the match though he still had a disappointing five shots at goal with only one on target.
The Real Madrid man has been under pressure to carry Portugal in this tournament with plenty of expectation put on him in every match.
He has been at his best so far only once-against Hungary when he scored twice to ensure his side don’t go home early.
Poland’s main man Robert Lewandowski will be disappointed for not sending his team to the last four. The Bayern Munich forward has had a great tournament so far and is responsible for inspiring his side to the last eight.