Czechs beaten by Portugal
11 Jun 2008 - 19:26:46
Portugal continued to impress at Euro 2008 as they got the better of the Czech Republic in a fast-paced Group A match, edging towards the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win.
Neither side had gained any momentum before Portugal broke the deadlock after eight minutes had been played.
Deco and Cristiano Ronaldo had already been given too much space in midfield and it was through a combination of the two that the first goal came about.
Ronaldo's run on goal was halted when Petr Cech rushed out and clawed the ball away, but it fell into the path of Deco who struggled to avoid a desperate dive from Cech and mis-hit a shot that deflected off Marek Jankulovski on the line and rolled into the net.
Portugal looked content to hold their lead but, despite no previous attacking intent, the Czech Republic drew level just nine minutes later.
Libor Sionko, outstanding down the right and later on through the middle, nutmegged defender Pepe before winning a corner from which the equaliser came.
Having already shown skill and composure on the ball, Sionko demonstrated his aerial ability by throwing himself at the corner and powering a header past Ricardo.
Portugal were reduced to long-range efforts for much of the rest of the first half, but, despite good intentions from the Czechs, a second goal never looked likely.
Instead it was Portugal who ended the half well and came out in the second period full of energy and invention.
Nuno Gomes wasted a good chance in the 53rd minute, shooting straight at Cech after he had spun away from the last defender, while a mistake from David Rozehnal allowed him another chance two minutes later, but again he failed to beat the Chelsea keeper.
Ten minute later Portugal were ahead again. Deco attacked down the right side and laid the ball off to Ronaldo on the edge of the area and the Manchester United star fired low past Cech for his first goal of the tournament.
Chances came the Czech Republic's way in the remaining half-hour, but only a Sionko header in the 83rd minute forced Ricardo to make a save, tipping over when Sionko had enough time and space to pick his spot.
By the time Ricardo Quaresma scored the third - the young Porto winger had been given the goal by Ronaldo who beat the offside trap and chose to pass when he had only Cech to beat - the Czechs were looking tired.
For them a nail-biting, must-win match with Turkey awaits, while Portugal will only need to draw with Switzerland on Sunday to win the group.