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27.06.2012 » Portugal 0-0 Spain (2-4 apk). Sent home after penalties shootout

Cristiano Ronaldo suffering in Portugal vs Spain penalties, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Portugal put on a good fight against the mighty Spain and forced all decisions to be made in the penalty kicks lottery, after a 0-0 tie that lasted until the end of extra-time. Unfortunately, luck didn't smile to the "Selecção" and Spain got through to the tournament's final, in a 4-2 victory, at the penalties shootout.

Portugal and Spain fought bravely for a ticket into the EURO 2012 final and the Spanish side ended being more lucky, after a dramatic penalties shootout decision. The goalless 0-0 tie after regular and extra-time, forced both teams to go into an always painful lottery of penalty kicks, where the Portuguese Team struggled and felt short to the fans expectations. Cristiano Ronaldo didn't even have the chance to take his penalty-kick, as he got left for last (5th taker) and witnessed Spain already beating Portugal by 4-2 when his time had arrived. Ronaldo will now enjoy a few weeks of vacations, just before joining Real Madrid pre-season in the mid of July. Spain, in the other hand, will start preparing themselves for the EURO 2012 final, against either Germany or Italy, in a match scheduled for this Sunday, the 1st of July.

Cristiano Ronaldo game photos in Portugal vs Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo crying after losing in the penalties against Spain, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals

When everything comes down to penalty-kicks, it's hard not to point luck (or bad luck) as one of the most important factors in deciding who wins or loses. Spain and Portugal battled for roughly 120 minutes (90 minutes of regular time, plus another 30 minutes of extra-time), but none of the sides managed to take the lead and really excel over the other. There weren't many great goalscoring chances throughout the entire game, as both teams showed a big amount of respect towards each other and a great defensive display.

Unlike in the previous matches, Ronaldo couldn't find a way to leave his mark on the fate of the game and unfortunately, no other player from the Portuguese attack proved to be able to be considered a real threat to Real Madrid's goalkeeper and captain, Iker Casillas. With Hélder Postiga sidelined, it was Hugo Almeida who took his place as center forward, but like many predicted, he failed to live up to the expectations of such a big game. Nani completed the attacking trio, but he also struggled to show off his best game and never looked like he was capable of pulling off one of those great displays that he occasionally has for Manchester United. Nonetheless, the Portuguese team defended really well and the Spanish "tiki-taka" wasn't enough to break the wall that Paulo Bento had prepared for this game.

Cristiano Ronaldo behind enemy lines, as he tries to get away from Gerard Piqué, Xabi Alonso and Xabi, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012

Naturally, Spain ended the game with more ball possession than the Portuguese Team (57% vs 43%), but the truth is that they never managed to clearly outplay Portugal and put Paulo Bento's side against the ropes. The match was played intensely, as the high amount of fouls (51) and the 9 yellow cards shown, can easily demonstrate it. Even not peforming at their best, the Portuguese Team can at least be proud of the way they battled against the still European and World Champions, as they proved to be one of the most difficult opponents Spain had upon in official games, over the last 4 years.

As for the penalty kicks shootout, Portugal won't be able to get away from a small controversy regarding the players order set to take the penalties. Cristiano Ronaldo was intentionally left to be the last player (5th) stepping up to the 12 yards spot and what happened was that Spain was already winning 4-2 when Ronaldo's moment to take the kick arrived. Since it wasn't possible to witness a comeback from that point onwards, rules say the remaining penalty-kick takers are dismissed and the game ended precisely there, just after Cesc Fabregas scored that 4th and winning goal for Spain. Before that, João Moutinho and Bruno Alves failed their chances and there was nothing much to be done unless Spanish players would miss their penalties as well. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, as only Xabi Alonso failed his penalty-kick and all the others managed to beat Rui Patrício. Could the fate of the game have been different if Ronaldo had been chosen to be the first penalty-kick taker? Basically, Paulo Bento gambled a bit, as he believed the decisive moment could actually be right when the Portuguese Team would take their 5th penalty-kick and he chose Ronaldo to be the man responsible if that scenario was to happen. As we all know now, it never came to that point and Spain went through the EURO 2012 final, and they are now waiting for either Germany or Italy.

Penalty-shootout play-by-play:

1st, Spain: Xabi Alonso - Miss! Saved by Rui Patrício (Score: 0-0)

1st, Portugal: João Moutinho - Miss! Saved by Iker Casillas (Score: 0-0)

2nd, Spain: Andrés Iniesta - Goal! (Score: 0-1)

2nd, Portugal: Pepe - Goal! (Score: 1-1)

3rd, Spain: Gerard Piqué - Goal! (Score: 1-2)

3rd, Portugal: Nani - Goal! (Score: 2-2)

4th, Spain: Sergio Ramos - Goal! (Score: 2-3)

4th, Portugal: Bruno Alves - Miss! (Score: 2-3)

5th, Spain: Cesc Fabregas - Goal! (Score: 2-4)

Sergio Ramos scoring a Panenka penalty-kick, in Spain vs Portugal, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Portugal line-up vs Spain:

Goalkeeper: Rui Patrício
Defenders: Fábio Coentrão, Pepe, Bruno Alves, João Pereira
Midfielders: Miguel Veloso, Raúl Meireles, João Moutinho
Attackers: Nani, Cristiano Ronaldo and Hugo Almeida

Match stats provided by www.ronaldo7.net
Portugal
vs
Spain
0 (2)
Goals
0 (4)
10
Shots
11
2
Shots on goal
5
6
Corner kicks
7
31
Fouls commited
21
5
Yellow cards
4
0
Red cards
0
43%
Ball possession
57%

Real Madrid's season is now over and there are no games left in their schedule until the pre-seasons starts by July. Cristiano Ronaldo has been with the Portuguese Team at the EURO 2012 and after being eliminated in the semi-finals against Spain, he's now expected to enjoy a few weeks of vacations. In the meanwhile, you can watch Germany vs Italy, from our football live streams section.

Sources: ronaldo7.net / espn.com

Cristiano Ronaldo praying during the penalty kicks between Portugal and Spain, in the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo running away from Sergio Ramos, in the EURO 2012 semi-finals between Portugal and Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo telling to Sergio Busquets to get up and stop faking injuries, in Portugal vs Spain at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo reaction as Portugal misses a penalty, in Portugal vs Spain, at the same time Fabregas and Xabi Alonso celebrate in the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo preparing to take a free-kick in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo escaping the marking from Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, in Portugal vs Spain at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Bruno Alves, preparing for a corner in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo pushing and shoving David Silva, in Portugal 0-0 Spain, in the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo dribbling Alvaro Arbeloa in the EURO 2012 semi-finals, between Portugal and Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo waiting for Gerard Piqué sliding tackle, in order to dribble him, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe and Rui Patrício, line up in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012, and chanting the Portuguese hymn or National Anthem

Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese National Team starting eleven, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo turns his back to cry, as Portugal face Spain in the penalty shootout, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo back view/look, wearing the Portuguese National Team white jersey, at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Oliveira and Bruno Alves, ready to respond a cross, in Portugal vs Spain at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo smiling and showing his pants and underwear, while Fábio Coentrão cries after losing in penalties against Spain, in the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo puts his head back and his hands covering his face to cry, after Portugal got beaten against Spain, in the penalty kicks at the EURO 2012

The Spanish National Team watching the penalty kicks shootout decision, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals against Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo high jump to control a ball with his chest, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012, with Jordi Alba looking amazed by it

Cristiano Ronaldo pulling his shirt off, and showing his body uncovered, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Sergio Ramos taking a penalty-kick in the panenka style, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals match between Spain and Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo left foot shot, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo pulling his shorts up and showing his pants, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals

Cristiano Ronaldo telling a secret to Rui Patrício, in Portugal vs Spain, at the EURO 2012 semi-finals penalty shootout

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