This was the first quarter final of the competition, with Portugal coming top of their group with six points. Germany, however, looked shaky in the group stages, coming second in their group after a disappointing loss to Croatia.
Portugal started well, playing good football, but neither team really pressed in the first ten minutes or so. The Portuguese started to find their feet, and created a good opportunity or two that could have been turned in. But then, as we’ve seen so many times in this competition, a quick counter attack led to the first goal. Bastian Schweinsteiger applied the final touch after a bursting run and a superb cross from Klose meant an easy tap in.
It was just four minutes later when the Germans doubled their lead. A free kick from the left side of the pitch had pin point accuracy, and poor defending from the Portuguese meant that Klose had a free header to score his first goal of the tournament.
After that Germany looked extremely likely to add a second, playing extremely good football in both attack and defense, although a couple of off side decisions meant they couldn’t add another goal in the first half.
Portugal, however, added a goal before the half time whistle was blown, Nuno Gomes adding the final touch from a rebound after Jens Lehmann saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot.
In the second half the Germans started the brighter team, with some more good attacking play leading to another goal, extremely similar to the second. A free kick from the left, to the back post, and a little push from Michael Ballack meant that he had a bit more room to apply the finishing touch, and it looked like there was no way back for Portugal.
The Portuguese then found some confidence, but they simply couldn’t get through the German defense until late in the second half, Nani crossing for Postiga to head the ball in, bringing the Portuguese within just one goal of the Germans, but they couldn’t do enough to win it.
This was a very exciting game, with Germany dominating for the majority of the ninety minutes, and although the score line flatters the Portuguese a bit, they go home with nothing to show for their efforts, and Germany go through clear favorites for the semi final they will play against either Croatia or Turkey.
This game was expected to be a thrilling one, with both teams winning their first matches. Confusingly, the Czech Republic players were wearing all red, where as the Portuguese played in all white.
The game got off to a flying start, with both teams trying to take the initiative. It didn’t take long for Portugal to get a grip of the game, and it was after just eight minutes that Portugal scored their first goal. After Ronaldo had been blocked by Petr Cech, the ball rolled to Deco, who was also blocked by Cech, but the Chelsea goal keeper couldn’t keep out the third shot, which again fell to Deco, who just about got it through the defender’s legs and into the Czech goal.
Just nine minutes later, Czech Republic got a corner, and a superb cross, sloppy defending and a great header allowed Libor Sionko to equalize for the Czech team, pulling away from his marker and heading beyond Portugal goal keeper Ricardo.
After that, Czech Republic pretty much dominated the first half, with Portugal getting an occasional break, but Czech Republic seemed well in control, passing around fluently and creating one or two opportunities. Just before half time, though, Ronaldo got a free kick thirty three meters from the goal, and everyone’s heads were turned. The ball swerved violently through the air, but the strong hands of Petr Cech kept the ball out.
As Czech Republic kicked off for the second half, it was soon apparent Portugal were going to get the third goal of the game, playing fluent football and creating some good opportunities. Then, inevitably, on the sixty third minute Deco played ‘that man’ Cristiano Ronaldo in to smash the ball under a helpless Petr Cech from just outside the penalty area.
Portugal knew they were not safe yet though, and kept on playing brilliant football. Czech Republic looked increasingly beaten as the game progressed, and then in stoppage time for the end of the game a counter attack and a long ball led to Ronaldo selfishly passing to Quaresma who passed the ball calmly into open goal.
Overall a good performance from Portugal, who are almost definitely through to the knock out stage, all they have to do is get a point against Switzerland and they are guaranteed a place in the last eight.
I always hated Manchester United and I will always do, but no one can deny that Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, actually I see that he played THE main role in this year’s Manchester United winnings. So any club in the world would want him to be part of their squad.
During the past few days he Cristiano Ronaldo was just giving hints on his wish to move to Real Madrid, but that is not the case anymore, yesterday he talked to the Brazilian website Terra.com.br and he said “ Yes, I would like to play for Real Madrid, That’s the truth, depending on what they are willing to spend on me and what Manchester United ask. But that’s not up to me.”
Then he added “I think I’ve put across an important message, As of today, I will speak no more about this with absolutely anyone. I’ll only talk about it after the Euros. Nobody is to ask me anymore, as I will not answer.”
Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson was not happy with what have been said, actually they were not happy even earlier since Real Madrid approached Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferguson slammed Real Madrid and the Spanish media for unsettling the player.
Today another news came out, Marca announced that Cristiano Ronaldo have agreed terms with Real Madrid, and now all what needs to be done is setting the price with Manchester United. Calderon told Marca “It’s an honour that Ronaldo wants to play for us”. But it is a known fact that Manchester United summer transfer plans will be hugely affected if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves, and the player is very important that Alex Ferguson will try to convince him to stay.
But it looks like Cristiano Ronaldo have set his mind, he actually refused meeting Alex Ferguson as it was announced in the British media few hours ago that a meeting was set as Alex Ferguson decided to cut short his holiday in France to meet Cristiano Ronaldo in Portugal’s Euro 2008 training camp.
It is believed that Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary if he moves to Real Madrid will be around $200,000 if not higher. There were shouts from many players and managers in the game urging Cristiano Ronaldo to stay in Manchester United and not to go to Real Madrid for the money, but it seems those shouts were not heard by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Am I happy that he might be with Real Madrid, YES!!, but really worried that another talented player already in Real Madrid will be sold, lets say someone like Robinho.
This game was expected to be a thrilling one, with both teams winning their first matches. Confusingly, the Czech Republic players were wearing all red, where as the Portuguese played in all white.
Today another news came out, Marca announced that Cristiano Ronaldo have agreed terms with Real Madrid, and now all what needs to be done is setting the price with Manchester United. Calderon told Marca “It’s an honour that Ronaldo wants to play for us”. But it is a known fact that Manchester United summer transfer plans will be hugely affected if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves, and the player is very important that Alex Ferguson will try to convince him to stay.