Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo saved three penalties to give his side a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over England [ Images ] in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday after a goalless 120 minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo [ Images ] scored the winning penalty after Ricardo saved penalties from England midfielders Frank Lampard [ Images ] and Steven Gerrard [ Images ] and substitute Jamie Carragher.
Portugal now play the winners of the Brazil-France game in the semi-final.
After a closesly-contested first half, the drama sparked after 62 minutes when England striker Wayne Rooney [ Images ], only back from a broken foot at these finals and seen as key to their World Cup hopes was red-carded.
Involved in a tussle for possession, Rooney stamped on the groin of defender Ricardo Carvalho [ Images ] virtually in front of Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo.
England were already without captain David Beckham [ Images ], left sitting in tears with his head in his hands after being susbstituted in the 51st minute, seemingly after taking a knock from Nuno Valente.
Nothing went right for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men, who had had a penalty appeal ignored just two minutes earlier when a Beckham cross struck the arm of Valente.
Eriksson reacted to Rooney's dismissal by bringing on towering striker Peter Crouch for left winger Joe Cole [ Images ], but England were badly lacking firepower up front.
Portugal Luiz Felipe Scolari [ Images ], who was behind England's downfall at the 2002 World Cup for his native Brazil [ Images ] and did the same for Portugal at Euro 2004, tried to galvanize his men from the touchline.
It was a far cry from a balanced opening 45 minutes.
In a free-flowing start, England keeper Paul Robinson had to smother in a goalmouth melee, while Portugal's defence nearly was unlocked by a neat three-man move and Frank Lampard almost got on the end of a Steven Gerrard through-ball.
Beckham's replacement, Aaron Lennon, caused havoc with his first touches after the break -- teeing up Rooney, only for him to mis-kick, while Cole prodded the loose ball over the bar from point blank range.
Minutes later, things turned a lot worse for England as Rooney, who had limped out of that Euro 2004 quarter-final with Portugal with a broken bone in his foot, this time got his marching orders.
Portugal soon had England in the ropes, without creating a gilt-edged scoring chance, while John Terry [ Images ] and Crouch were both denied by last-ditch interceptions.
Though winger Cristiano Ronaldo was a constant threat, Scolari's men struggled to break down England's tiring side.
this
Users
Comment
article