Quaresma the shootout hero as Portugal beats Poland

Ronaldo was the first to take the penalty kick after the two sides were deadlocked at 1-1 in extra-time on Thursday, reports Xinhua.

That did not prevent relieved Portuguese celebrations.

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.

And at 31, he knows time is running out.

He said: “The dream is getting closer and anything can happen now. We are still making progress”, he said.

Portugal’s midfielder Renato Sanches (right) celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring the equaliser against Poland during the Euro 2016 quarter-final match. The Bayern Munich striker scored six of his goals against Gibraltar and three against Georgia – a hat-trick that came in the final five minutes of the match.

Eliseu, the full-back, produced an exquisite cross from the left which fell perfectly for Real Madrid star but he failed to find his feet quickly enough before the ball had been taken off his toes.

Penalties were required to separate the sides, and in fairness to Portugal, they excelled in that regard.

And after Artur Jedrzejczyk nearly steered Pepe’s pass beyond his own goalkeeper, Ronaldo wasted another chance late on when he failed to connect with Joao Moutinho’s lofted ball into the area when clean through on goal. José Fonte and Pepe both wasted headed opportunities as Portugal sought a victor in normal time but again they were held come full-time, and so an additional 30 minutes ensued.

Fourteen security personnel carried the Ronaldo fan off after he was caught.

Portugal have become the first team to reach a European Championship semifinals without winning a game in 90 minutes.

Lukasz Fabianski got his fingertips to Quaresma’s decisive effort but could not prevent it finding the roof of the net.

VICENTE DEL BOSQUE said he’s standing down after eight years in charge of Spain, having guided the team to World Cup and European titles. But Portugal were the better team, created more chances and deserved to win.

“People criticise us but we don’t care, because we are in the semis”, Sanches said.

With cool heads, luck and great technique, Ronaldo’s men still have a fighting chance to do what the Luis Figo golden generation could not do.

“People focus on Ronaldo because he has to score, but he played incredible, he is a great captain”.

“I don’t talk about Individuals but Pepe and Cristiano played an incredible game, I think people undervalue them”. “The players put a lot of heart into this match”.

This is not the future Renato because (in the future) he will be an even better player.

Portugal right-back Cedric Soares misjudged a cross-field ball, allowing Kamil Grosicki to break into space on the left flank and send in a low cross for Lewandowski to convert with a first-time shot.

And despite a night of personal frustration for Cristiano Ronaldo, he and his team-mates have now set up a clash with Wales or Belgium in Lyon on Wednesday.