Poland, Portugal, Wales through to last 8 at Euro 2016

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal seized their chance to stay in the chase for an elusive first title together on Saturday.

Despite all the world class ability, this match would be tiresome and insipid, and the two teams failed to register a shot on target in 90 minutes of action – the first time that has ever happened at the Euros.

The Real Madrid star fired in a low angled shot that Subasic blocked, but the loose ball looped into the path of Quaresma, who was left with a very simple task.

Poland qualified for the quarterfinals of the European Championship for the first time after it converted all its penalties to beat Switzerland 5-4 in a shootout in Saint-Etienne.

Croatia scored five goals in the group stage but have failed to find the net against Portugal in all four of their matches, losing every one.

Days after beating two-time defending champion Spain, Croatia is heading home.

“Croatia is the team that played the best football in the group stages”, Portugal coach Fernando Santos said”. As expected, Portugal played on the counterattack and for 120 minutes we controlled it and didn’t allow them a chance until that last one.

Croatia’s best chances fell to defender Domagoj Vida.

Up until 27th minute of an extra time that moment didn’t come.

Ronaldo will lead Portugal’s attack as he seeks a ninth career goal at European Championships, which would match the all-time mark set by France great Michel Platini.

“At times we could have passed the ball faster but Croatia influenced that”.

“We were up against an awesome team and this was always going to be tight and strong”.

The game finished scoreless and went into extra time with Nikola Kalinic, who replaced Mandzukic, blasting a shot wide halfway through the first period. It ended with whistles from the crowd.

However, the lack of luck was felt most dearly by Croatia coach Ante Cacic.

After a lovely series of one-twos with Nani, Sanches took aim from the edge of the area only to drag his weak shot wide.

After the break, though, the Poles dropped back into a shell before finally conceding their first goal of the tournament.

For once, Croatia’s red-and-white checkerboard shirts were more suited to a chess match than soccer.

Suddenly that looks like a distinct possibility and Portugal could do it even without playing to their full potential or endearing themselves to the neutrals. That match in Lyon was a standout thriller of an underwhelming tournament. “We have already played four games and Portugal’s football can not be compared to that of Greece”. It has been an emotional couple of weeks, as his father passed away during the team’s opening game against Turkey. Little was seen of that Ronaldo in Lens; for the most part Croatia cut his supply line and until the 117th minute his most useful role was in hanging about dangerously to remind the opposition it might not be a good idea to send too many players forward into attack.