By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
Portugal will play Poland in the EURO 2016 quarter-finals on
Thursday after a late winner in extra time saw them knock out Croatia on
Saturday night.
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| Ricardo Quaresma shows his delight in netting Portugal's late winner |
In what was a shocking match of football in Lens, there was
only one shot on target in the 120 minutes and it came with just three minutes
remaining. Penalties were looming large when Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot was saved
by Daniel Subasic but ended in the path of Ricardo Quaresma (pictured), who tapped the
ball into the empty net.
Croatia hit the woodwork in the closing stages through Ivan
Perisic, whilst Domagoj Vida headed over from a set piece but the game in
general lacked any real quality and urgency from either side to win.
Almost unwanted
history
When the round of 16 began on Saturday, this looked like
being one of the most anticipated and exciting ties. Croatia had been a free-flowing
side in the group stages, whilst Portugal had just taken part in the most
entertaining game of the competition on Wednesday, drawing 3-3 with Hungary.
For the neutral though, this was going to end up being a
grave disappointment. The game turned into a tactical battle and almost a fear
of not wanting to lose anything. It is fair to say that DVDs and Blu-Rays of
this game will not be created.
As the game drifted towards and into extra time, unwanted
history looked like it was going to be made. We were on the verge of this game
becoming the first in the history of the European Championships where not a
single shot on target was going to be registered.
Croatia’s main danger players Perisic, Luka Modric and Ivan
Rakitic were sterilised all evening and lacked any of the class that they’d
demonstrated in Group D, especially in the victory over reigning champions
Spain on Tuesday evening.
Ronaldo had another frustrating match. Even he looked to be
lacking energy and urgency to change the outcome of the game. He did play his
part though in the winner.
Portugal broke from Perisic’s header which rattled the
woodwork. Playing in his 100th international for his country, Nani
squared the ball to Ronaldo, who forced Subasic into his only save of the
evening. Unfortunately for him, the ball fell kindly to Quaresma, who simply
couldn’t miss from two yards out and frankly, put us all out of our misery.
Is this the
end of the Croatian generation?
In fact, the final 10 minutes of extra time were about as
interesting as the previous dreary 110 minutes that had proceeded it. Moments
before Portugal’s winner, Vida had missed the target with a header after Rui
Patricio had come for a corner and missed his punch.
In stoppage time, he had another chance but hooked a shot
narrowly wide of the post as Croatia desperately threw everyone forward in the
search of an equaliser that was in vain.
It is a sad end to their tournament and unfortunately,
Croatia didn’t perform when it counted. The reactions of some of the senior
players at the final whistle summed it up. Modric was in tears, Darijo Srna
looked crestfallen. He is 34 now and players like Modric and Mario Mandzukic
might be reaching the end of their glorious international careers.
Like the famed England ‘Golden Generation’ of the
mid-2000s, this is another galaxy of stars that hasn’t managed to deliver on
its potential. In a period where they have produced some top talent that plays
now for huge European clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus,
Croatia have only managed a quarter-final appearance at EURO 2008 and three
group stage exits. They didn’t even qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa.
This might have been their best opportunity to reach a major
tournament final and it has now passed them by. This could well be the end of
this Croatian generation.
For Portugal, they have made history in becoming the first
team in the European Championships to not win a game in 90 minutes but reach
the quarter-finals. They also maintain their unbeaten record against Croatia.
This is game though that will be forgotten very quickly by anyone watching in
Lens or around the world.
My best
three players of the match
Man of the Match: Renato Sanches (Portugal)
He didn’t even start the game, which probably sums up the
general performance of the 22 players who started the match. Sanches did eject
plenty of energy into the Portuguese midfield and though some of his fouls were
careless, he is a powerful beast at just 19. He looks a good buy already for FC
Bayern München.
2nd: Pepe (Portugal)
The lack of attacking quality was stark but the defending
was very good and Pepe was the pick of the defenders in Lens. He was strong in
the air, clean in the tackle and none of his usual antics were in force. It was
a display of assurance from an experienced member of the Portuguese dressing
room.
3rd: Ricardo Quaresma (Portugal)
It is fair to say that Ricardo Quaresma hasn’t realised his
full potential but his winner here will be a moment he won’t forget. He did add
something to Portugal’s attack when he came off the bench and he couldn’t miss
the tap-in he received. He might have just won himself a place in the starting
XI for the quarter-final with Poland.
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