Czech Republic vs Portugal: EURO 2012 Quarter-Final; Live Scores, blog
Roar Guru The second stage of EURO 2012 gets underway with Group A winners Czech Republic taking on Group B runners-up Portugal live from 4:45am at the Poland National Stadium in Warsaw.
Nobody would have given the Czechs a chance of progressing after their abject showing in their first group match, being thumped by Russia 4-1. With star man Tomas Rosicky set to return after missing the 1-0 victory over Poland, the Czechs will go into this game with nothing to lose, and very high on confidence.
It’s a similar tale for Portugal, who lost their first group match (although there is little shame in a 1-0 defeat to Germany) before edging out both Denmark and the Netherlands to progress from the so-called ‘Group of Death’. There’s no question that this team will be entirely reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Real Madrid star will have to turn in a strong performance with the entire world watching.
The likenesses don’t end with their group stage efforts, either. Both teams were second best in their qualifying group; the Portuguese finished behind Denmark (and acted out a healthy dose of revenge in the tournament proper) before seeing off Bosnia-Herzegovina in the playoffs. The Czechs were always going to be up against the wall with Spain in their group, and took on Montenegro in the playoff round, winning both legs.
It’s interesting to note how close both teams came to not even getting to the playoffs – Portugal finished ahead of Norway by virtue of goal difference, and had Scotland beaten a second-string Spain team on the final match day, the Czechs too, would have been usurped.
But as it is, they both rode their luck qualifying and have continued it all the way to the knock-out stage. And now on of these almost-didn’t-make-it’s is 90 (or 120!) minutes away from the semi-finals. You’ve got to love that.
Join us just before kick-off at 4:45 for all the team news, line-ups and formations.
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6:36am
Matt Bungard said | 6:36am | Report comment
FULL TIME
CZECH REPUBLIC 0
PORTUGAL 1
6:39am
Matt Bungard said | 6:39am | Report comment
Well, a fine performance in the end from Ronaldo, the others were just along for the ride and that ride will continue to the last four!! Jiracek was the best for the Czechs but that doesn’t say much, they were very much a side that was happy to be in the second round and never played with any real endeavour.
Perhaps is Rosicky had played and Baros was at full fitness things might have been different – but we can’t live in a world of hypotheticals and the Portuguese march on to face either Spain or France!!
Again, it’s now time for work but thanks for tuning in. Feel free to send us a tweet @TheRoarSports or myself @TheMattBungard – by for now.
6:35am
Matt Bungard said | 6:35am | Report comment
93rd min, POR 1-0
A corner for the Czech Republic!! Surely not…
Cech is up, by the way.
6:36am
Matt Bungard said | 6:36am | Report comment
It’s cleared and with an open goal at their mercy it’s thwarted by Limbersky before anyone can get a shot away. Portugal free kick, though.
6:34am
Matt Bungard said | 6:34am | Report comment
92nd min, POR 1-0
Almeida is through on goal, but offside. Three minutes to go.
6:33am
Matt Bungard said | 6:33am | Report comment
Five minutes of added time to come.
6:32am
Matt Bungard said | 6:32am | Report comment
90th min, POR 1-0
Limbersky fouls Joao Pereira and will get a booking, he will miss the next match if by some miracle the Czechs pull out a win here.
6:31am
Matt Bungard said | 6:31am | Report comment
89th min, POR 1-0
I just wish he’d gone off earlier so I wouldn’t have to keep typing his incredibly-annoying-to-spell name, but Meireles is off and on comes Rolando.
6:29am
Matt Bungard said | 6:29am | Report comment
88th min, POR 1-0
Ronaldo goes down in the area, but to be fair to him doesn’t appeal for the spot kick. Howard Webb waves play on.
6:29am
Matt Bungard said | 6:29am | Report comment
87th min, POR 1-0
Meireles sends that one miles over. He was offside anyway. The Czechs will just try to lump it forward now.
6:28am
Matt Bungard said | 6:28am | Report comment
86th min, POR 1-0
Tomas Pekhart is on, Hubschman is off. Striker on for a holding midfielder, why not?
6:27am
Matt Bungard said | 6:27am | Report comment
84th min, POR 1-0
A great shot of Figo and Eusebio embracing in the crowd.
Oh and Nani has gone off. Custodio on in his place.
6:25am
Matt Bungard said | 6:25am | Report comment
83rd min, POR 1-0
Joao Periera gets forward and hits a shot into the bottom corner – it flicks Ronaldo on the way through and Cech does very well to tip it around.
6:21am
Matt Bungard said | 6:21am | Report comment
79th min
RONALDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
6:23am
Matt Bungard said | 6:23am | Report comment
He came in from the left and a bullet header gave Cech very little chance. Who else was going to score, really?
The Czechs have ten minutes to turn this around!!
6:21am
Matt Bungard said | 6:21am | Report comment
79th min, 0-0
Jiraceck goes on a mazy run, beats a couple but his cross is easily claimed by Patricio.
6:17am
Matt Bungard said | 6:17am | Report comment
74th min, 0-0
So close from Nani!!! He goes for the chip over the on-rushing Cech and the slightest of deflections was enough to change the trajectory, and it’s just a corner.
6:14am
Matt Bungard said | 6:14am | Report comment
72nd min, 0-0
Ronaldo the provider this time, holding up two defenders and laying it off to Meireles who skies it over from near the penalty spot.
6:08am
Matt Bungard said | 6:08am | Report comment
67th min, 0-0
Kadlec is down after a nasty collision with his own keeper.
6:08am
Matt Bungard said | 6:08am | Report comment
66th min, 0-0
Audacity from Cech! He recieves the back pass and with Ronaldo bearing down on him, turns him like a tricky winger.
6:06am
Matt Bungard said | 6:06am | Report comment
64th min, 0-0
Joao Moutinho hits a great shot from 30 yards and it’s just tipped over by Cech!
6:06am
Matt Bungard said | 6:06am | Report comment
The corner from the right is cleared away, back in by Meireles and away for a corer from the other side.
6:07am
Matt Bungard said | 6:07am | Report comment
They go short, Coentrao whips one in from the left and Almeida heads it over.
6:04am
Matt Bungard said | 6:04am | Report comment
63rd min, 0-0
Baros in some space blazes over from the edge of the box. A nice period of dominance for the Czechs.
6:03am
Matt Bungard said | 6:03am | Report comment
61st min, 0-0
Darida off after a very productive hour, Rezek comes on.
6:02am
Matt Bungard said | 6:02am | Report comment
60th min, 0-0
What a waste for the Czechs!!! Pilar skips past a couple of challenges and gets into the area, but with THREE red jerseys to aim at his pass inexplicably hits the one Portuguese player in the vicinity right in the chest. Massive let-off for Portugal.
6:00am
Matt Bungard said | 6:00am | Report comment
59th min, 0-0
ALMEIDA PUTS IT IN!! NO!! OFFSIDE!!
6:01am
Matt Bungard said | 6:01am | Report comment
A good header from close range to beat Cech, but the replay shows he was a metre offside. Good decision.
6:00am
Matt Bungard said | 6:00am | Report comment
58th min, 0-0
Nani’s shot is low to Cech’s right, but he parries it away!
5:58am
Matt Bungard said | 5:58am | Report comment
56th min, 0-0
(do I even need to say who at this point) takes another shot, it deflects off of Kadlec for yet another corner.
5:59am
Matt Bungard said | 5:59am | Report comment
It’s cleared out to Meireles and he catches it on the half volley, but it’s miles over.
5:56am
Matt Bungard said | 5:56am | Report comment
54th min, 0-0
Ronaldo gets on the end of another pass, but puts this one over! Surely he must score soon..
5:50am
Matt Bungard said | 5:50am | Report comment
48th min, 0-0
Ronaldo is going to line one up from almost 40 yards…
5:51am
Matt Bungard said | 5:51am | Report comment
It smacks into the wall, but Howard Webb spots a handball and the mark will be moved forward 10 metres..
5:51am
Matt Bungard said | 5:51am | Report comment
And this one is very close!! It’s off the base of the post and away for a goal kick.
5:48am
Matt Bungard said | 5:48am | Report comment
46th min, 0-0
And Almeida heads over from 6 yards out! Close call to start the second half.
5:47am
Matt Bungard said | 5:47am | Report comment
Second half underway!
5:46am
asanchez said | 5:46am | Report comment
Pretty sloppy first half all round! Very cagey by both sides.
The Czechs have defended well, and looked threatening on the counter.
Portugal still hasn’t turned up, and haven’t controlled the ball as they usually do.
They’re expecting too much from Ronaldo who is double and triple teamed and not given space everytime he gets the ball.
5:32am
Matt Bungard said | 5:32am | Report comment
HALF TIME
CZECH REPUBLIC 0
PORTUGAL 0
5:34am
Matt Bungard said | 5:34am | Report comment
Well, apart from that moment of brilliance from Ronaldo we’ve not seen a lot from either team. Portugal were well on top towards the end of the half but didn’t really carve out any clear cut chances before the injury time miss.
That’s not to say that the Czechs didn’t have a few chances, and are certainly not out of this one. See you in a few minutes.
5:30am
Matt Bungard said | 5:30am | Report comment
46th min, 0-0
RONALDO HITS THE POST!
5:31am
Matt Bungard said | 5:31am | Report comment
Absolutely outstanding. He touched it down with the chest, turned his man and drilled a shot into the base of the woodwork. They win a corner shortly after and Pepe nods over for what should be the last action of the first half.
5:29am
Matt Bungard said | 5:29am | Report comment
44th min, 0-0
Portugal want a penalty! Nani is down under the challenge of Limbersky but there was nothing in that.
5:23am
Matt Bungard said | 5:23am | Report comment
39th min, 0-0
Helder Postiga is down in back play, clutching his hamstring.
5:25am
Matt Bungard said | 5:25am | Report comment
40th min, 0-0
The stretcher is out and he won’t return. Hugo Almeida is his replacement.
5:19am
Matt Bungard said | 5:19am | Report comment
34th min, 0-0
A free kick for Portugal, about 30 yards out…
5:20am
Matt Bungard said | 5:20am | Report comment
And it’s curled wide of the far post! Decent hit from the Real Madrid star.
5:17am
Matt Bungard said | 5:17am | Report comment
32nd min, 0-0
Coentrao’s ball in is deflected and we have another corner.
5:18am
Matt Bungard said | 5:18am | Report comment
The initial corner is cleared away, Portugal keep the pressure on, however and eventually a Ronaldo overhead kick is only a metre wide of goal!
5:13am
Matt Bungard said | 5:13am | Report comment
28th min, 0-0
Gebre Selassie gets in behind the defense but his low cross is knocked away; Portugal come forward on the counter but the Czechs do enough.
5:12am
Matt Bungard said | 5:12am | Report comment
27th min, 0-0
Two bookings in two minutes! Veloso joins his teammate in the book with a late trip on Darida who had gotten around him.
5:11am
Matt Bungard said | 5:11am | Report comment
26th min, 0-0
Nani fouls Limbersky again, and this time he’ll go into the book for the game’s first yellow card.
5:10am
Matt Bungard said | 5:10am | Report comment
25th min, 0-0
First real chance!! Ronaldo bumped off one defender and Cech beat the shot away, it was called back for a foul but there didn’t appear to be a lot wrong with what he did, so it’s for the best that he didn’t score, I suppose..
5:07am
Matt Bungard said | 5:07am | Report comment
22nd min, 0-0
Pilar can’t get on the end of a Baros’ cross and eventually ends up fouling Joao Periera.
5:05am
Matt Bungard said | 5:05am | Report comment
20th min, 0-0
This game seems to be wrought with counter-attacks and now Portugal have another corner, as Ronaldo’s cross was deflected out.
5:03am
Matt Bungard said | 5:03am | Report comment
18th min, 0-0
Almost the opener!!! A great run and teasing ball from the right was delivered by the rookie Darida, and the outstretched Milan Baros was just a fraction late to the ball. Eventually, they win a corner
5:04am
Matt Bungard said | 5:04am | Report comment
It’s over everyone and out for a throw
5:01am
Matt Bungard said | 5:01am | Report comment
16th min 0-0
A nice slide rule pass down the left puts Jaricek into some space, and eventually he wins another corner. Let’s hope they don’t play it short again…
5:01am
Matt Bungard said | 5:01am | Report comment
It’s played in direct and nodded away for a corner on the other side by Ronaldo, of all people.
5:02am
Matt Bungard said | 5:02am | Report comment
Sigh. Now they go short again and the soft, looping cross is headed away.
4:57am
Matt Bungard said | 4:57am | Report comment
12th min, 0-0
Joao Moutinho with Portugal’s first shot, a soft effort from the edge of the box that’s straight into the arms of Cech.
4:55am
Matt Bungard said | 4:55am | Report comment
11th min, 0-0
First corner of the night for Portugal – Meireles to take..
4:56am
Matt Bungard said | 4:56am | Report comment
They decline the short option, but it’s headed to safety by Kadlec.
4:55am
Matt Bungard said | 4:55am | Report comment
10th min, 0-0
The Czechs are more than content to just sit back – challenging the Portuguese to beat them. So far, there’s been a couple of hopeful long balls to deal with and that’s about it. Free kick for the Czechs near their own corner flag now as Nani clatters into the back of Limbersky.
4:52am
Matt Bungard said | 4:52am | Report comment
7th min, 0-0
Jiracek squeezes a shot through from the top left corner of the penalty area, it’s off legs for another corner.
4:52am
Matt Bungard said | 4:52am | Report comment
They play it short again and this time turn the ball over. A counter-attacking pass aimed towards Ronaldo goes astray and we get our first mini-tantrum!
4:46am
Matt Bungard said | 4:46am | Report comment
2nd min, 0-0
The Czechs have the first corner as young Darida wins one from Pepe.
4:47am
Matt Bungard said | 4:47am | Report comment
They play it short, then a cross is launched from deep and it’s out for a goal kick
4:46am
Matt Bungard said | 4:46am | Report comment
We are underway!
4:40am
Matt Bungard said | 4:40am | Report comment
Hey everyone, I hope you’re not as tired as me this fine Friday morning. We’ve got some teams…
Czech Republic (4-2-3-1):
Cech
Gebre Selassie, Sivoc, Kadlec, Limbersky
Hubschman, Plasil
Jiracek, Darida, Pilar
Baros
—–
Portugal (4-3-3):
Rui Patricio
Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao
Raul Meireles, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho
Cristiano Ronaldo, Helder Postiga, Nani
4:43am
Matt Bungard said | 4:43am | Report comment
So there we go – Portugal unchanged yet again, the Czechs won’t have Rosicky AND give a competitive debut to 21-year-old Vladimír Darida. Talk about pressure.