Ronaldo struggles as Portugal reaches Euro 2016 semis

Despite enduring a frustrating night in Marseille, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo still ended up celebrating – after his Portugal side advanced past Poland and into the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

“(The goal) was an unbelievable moment.

Poland won their last-16 tie against Switzerland in a shoot-out but, after seven flawless penalties, Rui Patricio dived to his left to brilliantly keep out Poland’s fourth kick from Jakub Błaszczykowski.

Ronaldo, who was part of the Portugal side that reached the final of the Euros in 2004, admits his side will face a tough task whoever they meet in last four, as both potential opponents have produced strong performances during the tournament.

As Portugal went to a 4-3 lead, Poland midfielder Jakub Blaszczykowski’s shot was saved by Rui Patricio and Ricardo Quaresma fired home to seal the victory 5-3 for Fernando Santos’ side.

Watch the above video to see how Portugal and Wales supporters reacted as the winning penalty was converted in their Euro 2016 quarter-final contest… We haven’t lost a match; we were knocked out on penalties. We’ve moved forward – this tournament has proved that.

“We were the best team in a very hard match”.

It was a somewhat odd encounter, with an all-action first half followed by 75 minutes of inaction. Before going to the ball I was very confident. Looking like a veteran Sanches drove the ball into the top left corner for the goal.

It was the striker’s first goal of the tournament and, at one minute, 40 seconds, the second-fastest in European Championship history after Dmitri Kirichenko’s for Russian Federation against Greece after 65 seconds in 2004.

Perhaps even more impressively, Sanches’ awards have come in Portugal’s two knockout games so far. A gorgeous one-touch back heel pass from Nani landed at the feet of Sanches who took a single dribble before letting loose a blast off the left boot into the bottom right corner of the net past a diving Fabianski, sending the two teams to the halftime locker room tied at 1-1.

The teams went in level at the interval and the second-half started at a slower pace, with Southampton full-back Cedric arrowing a shot just wide as Portugal strived to complete their comeback. They’re a very intense team, they’re physical and experienced, but I think Portugal were better and created more chances.

Little changed in the additional 30 minutes, with the near-64,000 crowd drugged into a drowsy-near silence, knowing what was afoot nearly from the restart.

MARSEILLE, France (AP) – When Cristiano Ronaldo failed to deliver, it fell to an 18-year-old newcomer starting his first game to help Portugal reach the semifinals of the European Championship.