The Czech Republic take on the Portuguese on June 21 at the Warsaw National Stadium.

Czech Republic Preview

It was a bad start for the Czech Republic at the beginning of the tournament. They were thrashed by the Ruskies 4-1 during their opening game. The second was better, beating Greece 2-1 setting up a make or break against co-hosts Poland when they managed to beat the Poles 1-0 and winning the two points clear of Greece thus setting them up for the upcoming Quarterfinals. It was Peter Jiracek who scored the winning singular score against Poland halfway through the second half of the game.

Coach Michal Bilek needs to lead an offensive against the favorites Portugal. Ronaldo and the boys are becoming a tighter outfit as the tournament progresses.

Portugal Preview

Portugal went through the same predicament that the Czechs did at the onset of the tournament losing to Germany 1-0 but later redeemed themselves against Denmark during a suspenseful five goal match with a 3-2 score. Then came the crucial game against the Netherlands. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo redeemed himself after a previous underperformance against Denmark and Germany. He had a poor performance at first and received a lot of criticism. The Portuguese team came in second in Group B trailing three points behind Germany. Ronaldo playing alongside Nani, Raul Meireles, Pepe, and Portos creates a force to be reckoned with as long and as they put their heads together and Ronaldo steps up, they will maintain their consistency.

Czech Republic vs Portugal Predictions: Portugal wins 2-1

The Portuguese are adds-on favorites in this match. After a 3-2 victory over the Danes, it goes to show the attacking power they possess. Although defense may seem weak at times, a line-up like the Portuguese’ may put the Czechs on constant defensive mode.

Euro Cup 2012 Highlights: Portugal Advances To Semis Thanks to Ronaldo

World class striker Cristiano Ronald came up big once again scoring on a powerful header in the 79th minute, sending Portugal to the European Championship semifinals with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday.

Ronaldo hit the post twice, then finally delivered. He headed a cross by Joao Moutinho straight at the ground and up past the flailing hands of Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech.

This was Ronaldo's third goal in two games and it rewarded the Portuguese for the relentless pressure they applied all match.

"We had a lot of chances," said Ronaldo. "We had a great unity on the pitch and that is why we have reached our goal."

Portugal will play Spain or France in the semifinals in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Wednesday. It is one victory from its second European Championship final in eight years.

Ronaldo already provided some leadership and two goals to get past the Netherlands in group play, and his encore Thursday was huge.

His goal finally punished the tactics of the Czechs, who had parked most of their players in front of Cech for much of the game.

"The Czechs didn't have a single chance," Ronaldo said.

The strategy worked for a while. In first-half injury time, Ronaldo deadened a cross from Raul Meireles on his chest, turned and with two touches set up a right-foot shot that had Cech beaten before it crashed against the near post.

In the 49th, Ronaldo again clipped the post on a free kick from 25 yards out.

By then, Ronaldo had hit the post four times in two games. When he finally scored and was mobbed by teammates, he went over to the TV camera with a beaming smile and offered a victory kiss.

"We have suffered," Portugal forward Nani said. "But we always wanted to win and that's what we showed. We were superior, then we scored and we really deserved this result."

EURO 2012: Czech Republic vs Portugal Timeline

• 90+4' - The second-half is over. The match ends 0-1.
• 90+2' - Corner awarded to Czech Republic.
• 90+2' - Portugal's Hugo Almeida is whistled for offside at National Stadium Warsaw.
• 90+1' - 4 minutes of injury time will be added to the Second half.
• 90' - David Limbersky for Czech Republic has been booked by Howard Webb and will miss the next match due to a suspension.
• 89' - Miguel Veloso of Portugal gets in a strike, but is off target.
• 88' - Portugal make their Third substitution with Rolando replacing Raul Meireles.
• 87' - In Warsaw Portugal attack through Raul Meireles. The finish is off target, however.
• 86' - Michal Bilek (Czech Republic) is making a Second substitution, with Tomas Pekhart replacing Tomas Hubschman.
• 84' - Custodio is on a sub for Nani for Portugal.
• 83' - Bruno Alves (Portugal) gets up for a header but cannot keep the ball on target.
• 83' - Howard Webb has awarded Portugal a corner. Joao Moutinho takes the kick from the Right.
• 83' - Joao Pereira gets his shot on target but fails to score for Portugal.
• 79' - Joao Moutinho with an assist there.
• 79' - Cristiano Ronaldo heads in to make it 0-1 at National Stadium Warsaw.
• 77' - Portugal's Nani gets in a shot on goal at National Stadium Warsaw. But the effort is unsuccessful.
• 75' - In Warsaw Miguel Veloso for Portugal takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 75' - Portugal's Nani gets in a shot but it is blocked by a Czech Republic defender.
• 73' - Portugal drive forward but Hugo Almeida is judged offside.
• 72' - Raul Meireles for Portugal gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
• 69' - A total of 55590 spectators is reported.
• 69' - Michal Kadlec has recovered and rejoins the match in Warsaw.
• 69' - In Warsaw Portugal attack through Cristiano Ronaldo. The finish is off target, however.
• 68' - The match at National Stadium Warsaw is underway again.
• 66' - The match at National Stadium Warsaw has been interrupted briefly for a check on Michal Kadlec, who is down injured.
• 65' - In Warsaw, Hugo Almeida (Portugal) misses the target with a header.
• 64' - Howard Webb has awarded Portugal a corner. Joao Moutinho takes the kick from the Left.
• 64' - Portugal have been awarded a corner by Howard Webb. Raul Meireles steps up to take it.
• 64' - Portugal drive forward and Joao Moutinho gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
• 63' - Czech Republic are pushing forward but Milan Baros's finish is wide of the goal.
• 61' - Jan Rezek is replacing Vladimir Darida for Czech Republic at National Stadium Warsaw.
• 59' - Howard Webb blows against Portugal's Hugo Almeida for offside.
• 58' - Nani gets his shot on target but fails to score for Portugal.
• 56' - Portugal's Raul Meireles breaks free at National Stadium Warsaw. But the strike goes wide of the post.
• 56' - Corner awarded to Portugal.
• 56' - Portugal drive upfield and Cristiano Ronaldo gets in a shot. The strike is blocked by a Czech Republic defender.
• 55' - At National Stadium Warsaw Raul Meireles (Portugal) takes a corner from the Left.
• 54' - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo misses with an attempt on goal.
• 49' - So close for Portugal as Cristiano Ronaldo's shot comes back off the post.
• 49' - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) is given an opening but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 46' - Portugal surge into the attack at National Stadium Warsaw but Hugo Almeida’s header is off-target.
• 46' - The second half has started at National Stadium Warsaw.
• 45+2' - The first half has been concluded at National Stadium Warsaw.
• 45+1' - Portugal attack but Nani's header doesn't find the target.
• 45' - 2 minutes will be added to the First half in Warsaw.
• 45' - At National Stadium Warsaw Joao Moutinho (Portugal) takes a corner from the Right.
• 45' - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo fires in a great shot but is denied by the woodwork.
• 40' - Play is underway once more.
• 40' - Paulo Bento (Portugal) has taken off Helder Postiga who seemed to be grimacing with pain earlier. A possible injury. Hugo Almeida is the replacement.
• 39' - Helder Postiga is writhing in pain and play has been suspended for a few moments.
• 35' - Portugal are coming forward and Cristiano Ronaldo gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
• 33' - Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo gets his shot away but it misses the target.
• 32' - Portugal have been awarded a corner by Howard Webb. Joao Moutinho steps up to take it.
• 27' - Miguel Veloso (Portugal) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
• 26' - Nani (Portugal) gets a yellow card.
• 25' - Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal drives towards goal at National Stadium Warsaw. But the finish is unsuccessful.
• 24' - Portugal's Fabio Coentrao is on target but unsuccessful.
• 21' - In Warsaw Miguel Veloso for Portugal takes a corner from the Right-hand flag.
• 19' - Corner awarded to Czech Republic.
• 17' - Howard Webb has awarded Czech Republic a corner. Vladimir Darida takes the kick from the Right.
• 16' - Howard Webb has awarded Czech Republic a corner. Jaroslav Plasil takes the kick from the Left.
• 12' - In Warsaw Portugal drive forward through Joao Moutinho. His shot is on target but it's saved.
• 12' - At National Stadium Warsaw Nani (Portugal) takes a corner from the Left.
• 11' - Portugal have been awarded a corner by Howard Webb. Raul Meireles steps up to take it.
• 7' - Corner awarded to Czech Republic.
• 7' - Petr Jiracek (Czech Republic) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
• 2' - In Warsaw Vladimir Darida for Czech Republic takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
• 1' - Today's referee, Howard Webb, has blown to start the match.

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