Euro 2012: Portugal 0-0 Spain (2-4 Pens) – No Final For Ronaldo As La Roja Battle To Spot-Kick Victory (Photos & Highlights)

Alan Duffy

27th, June 2012

15 Comments

By Alan Duffy

As Portugal went out on penalties to Iberian rivals Spain in Donetsk, the question on everyone’s lips was why the hell was Cristiano Ronaldo no. 5 on the list of penalty takers for Paulo Bento’s losing side? In the end, the superstar didn’t even get a chance to take one, as Bruno Alves saw his shot crash off the crossbar before Cesc Fabregas netted the deciding spot-kick (going in off the post).

For the first 90 minutes, the Portuguese were marginally the better side, with Spain struggling to get their passing game going and Alvaro Negredo struggling up front. However, clearcut chances were few and far between and as the game moved into extra-time, the World and European champions started to turn the screw.

However, with the scores at 0-0 after 120 minutes, another penalty drama ensued, with Xabi Alonso missing the first, Joao Moutinho then missing his before Andres Iniesta, Pepe, Gerard Pique and Nani all converted theirs. Then, in a moment of pure confident genius, CENTRE-HALF! Sergio Ramos replicated Andre Pirlo’s cheeky chippy penalty to make it 3-2 to Spain. Man mountain Alves, who had mistakenly walked up to take his side’s third before Nani took it, then blasted his spot-kick off the woodwork before Fabregas scored the winning penalty.

A fair result? Not sure about that. It was extremely even over the course of 120 minutes, so neither team really deserved to lose.

Still, the decision to let two central defenders take penalties before Ronaldo remains a quite bizarre tactic (and one which backfired badly) by manager Paulo Bento.

Spain, however, will need to play far better if they are to beat either Germany or Italy in the final.

Photos…

Highlights…

Photos: PA

Posted in Euro 2012, Videos

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15 Comments

  1. Nuno says:

    It’s hard to get eliminated like this, as we were in no way inferior to Spain, and at least we didn’t roll over and play dead like France, who just waited Spain would fall asleep. Overall there weren’t much chances and the better belonged to Spain (Iniesta in OT).
    And Chris, the biggest pressure is on penalties 1 and 5. If Ronaldo was 4th and scored, imagine the pressure that would be on Alves’ back at the 5th and decisive penalty.
    But so unfair that Moutinho missed his penalty as in my opinion he was Portugal’s best player today.
    Oh well, bring on 2014, then… =/

  2. V says:

    Outro “quase”. Once again, we portuguese ALMOST did it…

  3. […] Euro 2012: Portugal 0-0 Spain (2-4 Pens) – No Final For Ronaldo … […]

  4. usrick says:

    An inch or so lower and Alves’ shot goes in: an inch or so left and Cesc’s shot misses wide. A total of 2-3 inches between going on and going home.

    That said, there’s no excuse for Bento’s shooting order. He put two forwards in as subs, then had two defenders take shots instead – the kind of decision that causes managers to lose their jobs.

    Yes, there’s a lot of pressure on a fifth shooter, but only if he actually gets a chance to shoot.

  5. garza says:

    You must wonder what would have happened if Cristiano was placed earlier in the shooting order. What a shame for Portugal. In my opinion, they played better than Spain for most of regulation time. For the “best” team in the world, Spain has been rather unconvincing lately. Or maybe people have just figured them out, as seems to be the case for Portugal’s defensive line.

  6. Rob says:

    I hope Spain play like the final like they did in extra time, with way more urgency.
    As for Ronaldo, who can say why he took last but I would bet on him hoping it would win it.

  7. chris says:

    Did we really expect anything else from the arrogant, flirty hunting narcissist Ronaldo? I guess that’s the last we’ll hear about Messi and his national woes now. Maybe not.

  8. cupcakes says:

    @chris:

    “Arrogance” is only the difference between knowing you’re good and actually having the stones to say it out loud! If he was rubbish you’d call him “deluded”. Like Bendtner…

  9. Nuno says:

    ‘Why always me’ should be the trademark of Ronaldo. The lad has a team that cannot be compared to Spain, Italy or Germany. Nonetheless, he fought like a warrior and did well. As well as the ENTIRE team of Portugal, who were just enormous.
    Like in 2006, he was going to score the last penalty – the difference is that against England he managed to score it. It was a question of tactic, and saying that he didn’t scored earlier because he was afraid of steppin up and taking the responsability is just bullocks.
    That being said, Spain isn’t the same team as in 2010 and 2008. How can someone leave on the bench Torres ou Llorente? Completely insane. In addition, both wingers (Arbeloa and Alba) are not amazing and can be easily overpassed. Just a quick reminder – Arbeloa managed to get 8 faults (!) and only a yellow card. Even there, it was in Ronaldo’s free kick. Pepe, Joao Pereira and Coentrao also saw a yellow card, with a combined number of… 7 faults.

  10. Terry Shedingham says:

    Shit, they’d better call in Ovrebo for tonight’s game to make sure it isn’t a repeat of the 2008 final

  11. Sue says:

    Pepe Reina and his hard work celebrate another shot at a winners medal

  12. Phiwe says:

    @Sue

    Don’t you mean Torres?

  13. sue says:

    Ha! They both will be singing and dancing sunday with winners medals and nothing to show for it

  14. Dave Jones says:

    @Sue – unlike De Gea? take your Salford inbred glasses off!!!

    Any other international team would have Pepe Reina as their no1 but when you have the click of Real Madrid being subsidized by the Spanish Government, nepotism will always be a factor!

  15. ning.com says:

    Well, not anymore.

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