Robert Lewandowksi and Renato Sanches were among the protagonists in regulation time, but eventually it was Ricardo Quaresma’s strike that saw Portugal beat Poland 5-3 on penalties, after 120 minutes were not enough to separate the two sides.
Portugal progressed to the quarter-finals after yet another average performance at Euro 2016. For the fifth match in a row, as Fernando Santos’ men failed to put the game to bed in 90 minutes, and have luckily squeezed their way into the last four.
For the Polish, it was a spirited performance as their talisman Robert Lewandowski finally got a goal for himself, but it did not matter as his strike was cancelled out by a scorcher from Renato Sanches. With the score at one goal apiece after 90 minutes, the game headed into extra-time.
In the added thirty, it was much of the same with both teams not committing too many bodies forward, as the game eventually went to a penalty shootout. After seven well struck penalties, Jakub Blaszczykowski, who was arguably Poland’s player of the tournament, failed to convert from the spot, handing Portugal the initiative.
Ricardo Quaresma, who only days prior to the game scored the winning goal, rounded up another victory for the Portuguese. His well hit penalty saw Portugal win the shootout by a 5-3 scoreline.
Here’s how the players fared over the course of the game:
Poland
Łukasz Fabiański: 6
The Polish goalkeeper was rarely called into action, but made a couple of decent saves to keep his side in the hunt.
Łukasz Piszczek: 7.5
Was alert all night and managed to deal with the threat of Cristiano Ronaldo down Poland’s right hand side. Put in a shift in the final third as well.
Kamil Glik: 8
The Polish left-back was one of the standout performers on the day with a supreme defensive display. He was also one of his side’s best performers throughout the course of the competition.
Michał Pazdan: 7
A no nonsense centre-back made crucial last-ditch challenges, keeping out the likes of Nani and Ronaldo.
Artur Jędrzejczyk: 5
Was careless at times with his ball distribution, and picked up a needless booking.
Jakub Błaszczykowski: 6.5
Apart from the penalty spot howler, the Borussia Dortmund had a good game on the right wing.
Grzegorz Krychowiak: 6
Had a decent outing at the heart of the Polish midfield, but contributed very little going forward.
Krzysztof Mączyński: 7
Parked himself in front of the back four, and won back the loose balls for his side. Good display.
Kamil Grosicki: 8
Was a constant threat down Poland’s left wing and put his physical frame and pace to good use against a quality Portuguese side.
Arkadiusz Milik: 5.5
Scuffed a couple of long-rangers in the second-half, and failed to impact the game like his striker partner Lewandowski.
Robert Lewandowski: 8
Finally came to the party with the quickest ever goal in Euro history, and was also calm from the spot for his team.
Portugal
Rui Patricio: 7
Looked nervy while holding onto the ball, but made a crucial penalty save that aided his team in making it to the last four.
Cedric Soares: 8
Justified his selection by putting in a good show on both ends of the pitch. He constantly bombarded the Polish defence by whipping in a number of crosses.
Pepe: 7
A good outing for the Real Madrid man, as he marshaled his defence well and also bullied the opposition players in the air.
Jose Fonte: 7
Has proven to be a good deputy for Ricardo Carvalho, and put in another decent display on Thursday.
Eliseu: 5
Replacing the injured Rapahel Guerrero in the starting lineup, he failed to ruffle too many feathers as his impact on the game was a bare minimal.
William Carvalho: 7.5
Provided exceptional defensive cover, and will be awfully missed in Portugal’s semifinal encounter.
Joao Mario: 5.5
Failed to influence the game to a great extent, and was eventually subbed off for Quaresma.
Renato Sanches: 8.5
His goal and superior presence on the ball, made him one of the standout performers on the day for Portugal. Still only 18-years-old, this is just the start of what can be a legendary career.
Adrien Silva: 6
Much like Mario, he failed to impress against Poland.
Nani: 7
Provided the assist for Sanches’s goal but was quiet throughout the course of the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 6
It was yet another off day for the Real Madrid attacker, as he failed to capitalise from the chances that were created for him.
