Cristiano Ronaldo capped a magnificent display with the match-winning goal as Portugal powered past Czech Republic and into the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

Ronaldo, who scored twice against the Netherlands, hit the woodwork in each half with fine strikes.

Analysis

Image of Jurgen Klinsmann Jurgen Klinsmann Match of the Day analyst

"It is a result for football. Czech Republic did not do enough. You can't play knock-out games like that.

"Ronaldo is world class, he is exceptional. He is in the top three with Lionel Messi and maybe Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Can his team-mates step it up and pull themselves to Ronaldo's level? If they do, then there is a team that can win the Euros. Ronaldo has the class and leadership and is the difference maker."

And he finally found the net with 12 minutes remaining, thumping a header into the ground and beyond Petr Cech.

Czech Republic failed to muster a shot on target as they rarely threatened throughout a tense evening.

Portugal will now face Spain or France for a place in the final, and with surely Europe's best player beginning to show his very best form, they could take some stopping.

The Real Madrid forward was instrumental in guiding Portugal through Group B, putting a sloppy display against Denmark behind him to score both goals against the Netherlands on Sunday.

And after a slow start to this quarter-final in Warsaw, the world's most expensive player grew in stature to dominate the action in impressive fashion.

Czech Republic enjoyed a strong opening 15 minutes, with right-back Theodor Gebre Selassie initially effective in a man-marking role on Ronaldo, but once the former Manchester United man threw off his shackles and began to roam in a free role he lit up proceedings.

Shot Zones

He had already been harshly penalised by referee Howard Webb when running through the middle of the defence before striking the post after a moment of genius.

Ronaldo controlled Raul Meireles's long pass on his chest, turned defender Michal Kadlec effortlessly and beat Cech with a shot that thundered against the base of the post and rebounded to safety.

He hit the post again - the fourth time in four games he had struck the woodwork - after the break with a trademark dipping free-kick from 30 yards as Paulo Bento's side mounted a siege on Cech's goal.

Substitute Hugo Almeida then saw a header correctly ruled out for offside and also wasted two further efforts before the breakthrough came - inevitably - from Ronaldo.

The impressive Joao Moutinho broke from midfield down the right before standing up a cross to the back post.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo ready for semi-final

Ronaldo met the cross with a fierce header which bounced down and then into the roof of the net for his third goal of the tournament.

It was his 66th goal for club and country in an incredible season.

Michal Bilek's Czech side had shrugged off a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Russia in their opener to reach the last eight, but, again shorn of injured captain Tomas Rosicky, they looked limited going forward and never tested Rui Patricio in the Portuguese net on their way to a limp exit.

In contrast, Portugal will move on confident of reaching a second European Championship final in three tournaments, knowing that in Ronaldo they unquestionably possess the most potent weapon in European football.

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Czech Republic

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Gebre Selassie
  • 03 Kadlec
  • 06 Sivok
  • 08 Limbersky Booked
  • 13 Plasil
  • 14 Pilar
  • 17 Hubschman (Pekhart - 86' )
  • 19 Jiracek
  • 22 Darida (Rezek - 61' )
  • 15 Baros

Substitutes

  • 16 Lastuvka
  • 23 Drobny
  • 04 Suchy
  • 05 Hubnik
  • 12 Rajtoral
  • 09 Rezek
  • 10 Rosicky
  • 11 Petrzela
  • 18 Kolar
  • 07 Necid
  • 20 Pekhart
  • 21 Lafata

Portugal

  • 12 Rui Patricio
  • 02 Alves
  • 03 Pepe
  • 05 Coentrao
  • 21 Joao Pereira
  • 04 Veloso Booked
  • 08 Joao Moutinho
  • 16 Meireles (Rolando - 88' )
  • 17 Nani Booked (Custodio - 84' )
  • 07 Ronaldo
  • 23 Postiga (Almeida - 39' )

Substitutes

  • 01 Eduardo
  • 22 Beto
  • 13 Costa
  • 14 Rolando
  • 19 Miguel Lopes
  • 06 Custodio
  • 15 Ruben Micael
  • 20 Viana
  • 09 Almeida
  • 10 Quaresma
  • 11 Oliveira
  • 18 Varela
Ref: Howard Webb
Att: 58,145

Match Stats

Shots

2 22

On target

1 8

Corners

6 11

Fouls

10 6

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:11 Full time

Full Time The final whistle goes and the game is over.

90:00 +3:22

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Alexandre Fabio Coentrao by David Limbersky. Jorge Rolando takes the free kick.

90:00 +2:37

Inswinging corner taken by Jaroslav Plasil from the right by-line.

86:41

Indirect free kick taken by Petr Cech. The referee penalises Raul Meireles for handball.

90:00 +1:58

The referee blows for offside against Hugo Miguel Almeida. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +1:14

Alexandre Fabio Coentrao produces a cross, clearance made by Michal Kadlec.

89:31

Free kick taken by Miguel Veloso.

89:31 Booking

Booking Booking for David Limbersky for unsporting behaviour.

89:19

Foul by David Limbersky on Pedro Joao Pereira, free kick awarded.

88:29

Cristiano Ronaldo crosses the ball, Jaroslav Plasil manages to make a clearance. Effort on goal by Miguel Veloso from just outside the area goes harmlessly over the target.

87:48 Substitution

Substitution Jorge Rolando replaces Raul Meireles.

86:40

Raul Meireles is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.

86:18

Shot by Raul Meireles from outside the box goes high over the crossbar.

85:29 Substitution

Substitution Tomas Pekhart is brought on as a substitute for Tomas Hubschman.

84:01

Theodor Gebre Selassie gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Alexandre Fabio Coentrao. Miguel Veloso restarts play with the free kick.

83:38 Substitution

Substitution De Castro Custodio replaces Luis Nani.

82:37

Corner taken by Felipe Joao Moutinho from the right by-line, Headed from the edge of the area by Eduardo Bruno Alves goes wide of the left-hand post.

82:13

Pedro Joao Pereira takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.

78:49

The assist for the goal came from Felipe Joao Moutinho.

78:49 Goal scored

Goal - Cristiano Ronaldo - Czech Rep 0 - 1 Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo finds the net with a headed goal from close in. Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal.

78:47

The ball is swung over by Felipe Joao Moutinho,

78:11

A cross is delivered by Petr Jiracek, Pedro Rui Patricio makes a comfortable save.

77:05

Alexandre Fabio Coentrao crosses the ball, clearance by Michal Kadlec.

76:03

Luis Nani crosses the ball, save by Petr Cech.

76:03

Luis Nani sends in a cross, save made by Petr Cech.

74:43

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Vaclav Pilar by Eduardo Bruno Alves. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

74:15

Miguel Veloso takes the outswinging corner, Petr Jiracek makes a clearance.

73:57

Luis Nani takes a shot. Blocked by Michal Kadlec.

73:28

The ball is swung over by Raul Meireles, David Limbersky makes a clearance.

72:23

The assistant referee flags for offside against Hugo Miguel Almeida. Indirect free kick taken by Petr Cech.

71:28

Shot from inside the area by Raul Meireles clears the bar.

67:55

The ball is delivered by Luis Nani, Effort on goal by Cristiano Ronaldo from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.

67:37

Alexandre Fabio Coentrao sends in a cross, David Limbersky makes a clearance.

64:02

Felipe Joao Moutinho takes a short corner. The ball is delivered by Alexandre Fabio Coentrao, Header by Hugo Miguel Almeida from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

64:02

Corner taken short by Luis Nani. The ball is sent over by Alexandre Fabio Coentrao, Header by Hugo Miguel Almeida from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.

63:52

Centre by Raul Meireles, clearance made by Jan Rezek.

63:43

Raul Meireles takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Tomas Hubschman manages to make a clearance.

63:20

Felipe Joao Moutinho takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

62:02

Effort on goal by Milan Baros from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

60:07 Substitution

Substitution Vladimar Darida goes off and Jan Rezek comes on.

58:58

Centre by Vaclav Pilar, blocked by Miguel Veloso.

57:54

A cross is delivered by Luis Nani. The assistant referee signals for offside against Hugo Miguel Almeida. Petr Cech takes the indirect free kick.

57:11

Luis Nani takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.

55:23

Felipe Joao Moutinho takes a outswinging corner to the near post, David Limbersky manages to make a clearance. Effort on goal by Raul Meireles from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar.

55:12

Cristiano Ronaldo takes a shot. Blocked by Michal Kadlec.

54:09

Alexandre Fabio Coentrao delivers the ball, blocked by Petr Jiracek. Corner taken by Raul Meireles from the left by-line, Petr Jiracek makes a clearance.

53:24

Cristiano Ronaldo has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the target.

50:54

The ball is crossed by Miguel Veloso, save by Petr Cech.

50:12

Cristiano Ronaldo produces a cross, clearance made by Michal Kadlec.

48:10

Vladimar Darida is adjudged to have handled the ball. Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Cristiano Ronaldo.

47:17

Tomas Hubschman challenges Cristiano Ronaldo unfairly and gives away a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Cristiano Ronaldo from the free kick.

46:17

Pedro Joao Pereira produces a cross.

45:16

Raul Meireles delivers the ball, Hugo Miguel Almeida has a header from inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar.

45:01

The referee starts the second half.

45:00 +2:04 Half time

Half Time The whistle is blown to end the first half.

45:00 +0:55

Corner taken by Felipe Joao Moutinho from the right by-line to the near post, Luis Nani has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.

45:00 +0:55

Luis Nani takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Close range header by Eduardo Bruno Alves goes over the crossbar.

45:00 +0:50

Centre by Luis Nani, David Limbersky gets a block in.

45:00 +0:30

Shot by Cristiano Ronaldo from deep inside the penalty area bounces off the post.

43:58

Unfair challenge on Pedro Joao Pereira by Vaclav Pilar results in a free kick. Pedro Joao Pereira restarts play with the free kick.

43:18

Milan Baros gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kleper Pepe. Kleper Pepe takes the free kick.

42:28

David Limbersky fouled by Pedro Joao Pereira, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Michal Kadlec.

41:46

The ball is swung over by Luis Nani, Tomas Sivok makes a clearance.

40:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Tomas Hubschman on Alexandre Fabio Coentrao. Free kick crossed right-footed by Raul Meireles, clearance made by Theodor Gebre Selassie.

38:52 Substitution

Substitution Helder Postiga leaves the field to be replaced by Hugo Miguel Almeida.

33:20

David Limbersky challenges Luis Nani unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shot on goal comes in from Cristiano Ronaldo from the free kick.

32:28

Cristiano Ronaldo has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the goal.

32:15

The ball is crossed by Felipe Joao Moutinho.

31:42

Corner taken by Felipe Joao Moutinho played to the near post, Tomas Hubschman manages to make a clearance.

31:35

Alexandre Fabio Coentrao crosses the ball, Theodor Gebre Selassie gets a block in.

27:10

The ball is swung over by Theodor Gebre Selassie, Kleper Pepe makes a clearance.

26:18

Tomas Sivok restarts play with the free kick.

26:18 Booking

Booking Miguel Veloso receives a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

26:08

Foul by Miguel Veloso on Vladimar Darida, free kick awarded.

25:20

Indirect free kick taken by David Limbersky.

25:20 Booking

Booking Booking for Luis Nani.

25:10

Foul by Luis Nani on David Limbersky, free kick awarded.

24:29

Michal Kadlec fouled by Cristiano Ronaldo, the ref awards a free kick. Petr Cech takes the direct free kick.

24:29

Cristiano Ronaldo gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michal Kadlec. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.

23:13

A cross is delivered by Alexandre Fabio Coentrao, save made by Petr Cech.

21:44

Vaclav Pilar challenges Pedro Joao Pereira unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kleper Pepe takes the free kick.

21:31

Milan Baros sends in a cross.

19:22

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Miguel Veloso.

19:16

Cristiano Ronaldo delivers the ball, blocked by Michal Kadlec.

18:11

Inswinging corner taken by Jaroslav Plasil.

17:56

A cross is delivered by Petr Jiracek, blocked by Pedro Joao Pereira.

17:45

The ball is sent over by Vladimar Darida, Pedro Joao Pereira manages to make a clearance.

16:35

Jaroslav Plasil produces a cross, Eduardo Bruno Alves makes a clearance.

16:21

Short corner worked by Vladimar Darida.

15:33

Inswinging corner taken by Jaroslav Plasil from the left by-line played to the near post, Cristiano Ronaldo manages to make a clearance.

15:28

Centre by Petr Jiracek, blocked by Eduardo Bruno Alves.

14:19

Vaclav Pilar delivers the ball, clearance by Miguel Veloso.

11:31

Felipe Joao Moutinho takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a comfortable save.

11:14

Corner taken short by Luis Nani.

11:07

The ball is swung over by Luis Nani, Tomas Sivok makes a clearance.

10:40

A cross is delivered by Miguel Veloso, blocked by Tomas Hubschman.

10:16

Corner taken by Raul Meireles, clearance made by David Limbersky.

9:12

Luis Nani challenges David Limbersky unfairly and gives away a free kick. Petr Cech restarts play with the free kick.

8:14

Milan Baros gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kleper Pepe. Kleper Pepe takes the indirect free kick.

7:58

Pedro Joao Pereira delivers the ball, Michal Kadlec manages to make a clearance.

6:36

Jaroslav Plasil decides to take the corner short.

6:22

Petr Jiracek takes a shot. Blocked by Kleper Pepe.

5:38

Helder Postiga sends in a cross.

2:36

Milan Baros is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Kleper Pepe restarts play with the free kick.

1:18

Corner taken short by Vladimar Darida.

0:00

The game gets underway.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association