Euro 2016: Portugal into semi-finals after beating Poland

Portugal once again toiled before seeing off a more resilient Poland 5-3 after a penalty kicks shootout in a nervy quarter-final game Thursday at the ongoing Euro 2016 in France.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first quarter-final match of the tournament played in Marseille between the two countries ended one goal apiece after the full time.

Robert Lewandoski had put Poland in the fray in the first two minutes of the game, while Renato Sanches drew Portugal level in the 33rd minute of the game.

The game saw both countries losing glaring scoring chances, which would have seen them through to avoid the agony of deciding the winner through spot kicks after the extra time.

Portugal’s three-time World Footballer of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo, was most guilty of the wasted chances, when he threw away begging chances to put his country through.

Ronaldo however salvaged his pride by taking the first responsibility at the penalty shootout which he effortlessly converted.

However, Portugal have their goalkeeper, Rui Patricio, to thank when he made spirited efforts to save the third penalty kick from Polish defender Jakub Blaszczykow.

NAN reports that before this quarter-final match, Portugal had drawn their entire group stage matches 1-1 with Iceland, 0-0 with Austria and 3-3 with Hungary.

After qualifying as one of the best losers, Portugal then went ahead to defeat Croatia 1-0 in added time in the first knockout stage of the tournament.

They now wait to face the winner between Wales and Belgium for the semi-finals.