Portugal beat Poland on penalties

Marseille (France), July 1 (IANS) Despite first half goals from Robert Lewandowski and Renato Sanches, it took a penalty shootout to separate the sides, with the Seleccao coming out on top in the first quarter final match of the Euro 2016 here on Thusrday

Portugal booked their place in the semi-finals of Euro 2016 on Thursday as they beat Poland 5-3 on penalties.

The game got off to a bright start for Poland with Robert Lewandowski scoring in the second minute but 18-year-old Renato Sanches found the net for the Portugal in 33rd minute. The sides could not be separated again after two hours of play.

With the game resorting to penalties, it was Portugal's Ricardo Quaresma who proved the hero, converting the definitive spot kick to send his side into the last four.

Poland focussed on defence and the game faded out, with the second half finishing goalless and the game heading into extra time.

Cristiano Ronaldo passed up an opportunity early in extra-time and neither side could find the breakthrough, meaning a penalty shootout was needed to separate the two.

Poland's Blaszczykowski missed the penalty as Portugal's goalkeeper stretched on his left to stop the ball going into the net.

--IANS

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