Game in a sentence
It was Ronaldo’s night. The best player at these championships ensured his last two games are now a distant memory as he scored two goals to put Portugal in the quarter finals against the Czech Republic.
Observations
- It started as an open game in which the Dutch threatened to blow open but as Portugal grew into the match their quality shone through and nobody was brighter than Cristiano Ronaldo himself. The game was a victory for Portugal, Ronaldo and all of those who wanted to put an end to the nonsense that he wasn’t a big game player.
- All eyes were on the Dutch teamsheet once it was released and Rafael van der Vaart did indeed finally get his first start and surprisingly was handed the captain’s arm band just a few days after saying his manager had his favourites. Inmates running the asylum or a master touch by coach Bert Van Marwijk?
- It appeared to be the latter when the Tottenham man smashed the Dutch into the lead inside the first 11 minutes, cutting in on his left and finding the far corner of Rui Patricio’s goal.
- Portugal’s response was superb. They never panicked, led by their outstanding midfield trio of Raul Meireles, Joao Moutinho and Miguel Veloso who kept their shape, controlled the ball and frustrated the Dutch playmakers.
- Cristiano Ronaldo had a quite magnificent first half. He was denied twice by the outstanding Maarten Stekelenburg, one of few Dutch players who had a decent tournament, but eventually got on the scoresheet when he timed his run perfectally to meet Joao Pereira’s intelligent pass before calmly slotting the ball into the net.
- It was a dreadful goal to concede for Netherlands. Jetro Willems gave the ball away in his own half, the Dutch failed to close down Portugal, allowing them far too much space to pick passes with ease before Pereira made a run inside and brilliantly found Ronaldo.
- Pereira had an excellent game, showing fantastic energy and desire to get down the right side while handling anything thrown his way defensively.
- The second half saw more changes from the Dutch with Arjen Robben moving to the left, Wesley Sneijder to the centre and Robin Van Persie in the middle behind Klaas Jan Huntelaar. It simply didn’t matter. They were equally ineffective.
- Portugal grew into the second half, knowing that 1-1 would have seen them through as the Danes were tying the Germans, and countered at will. Eventually they scored again when Nani put a ball across to Ronaldo who took a touch before smashing it past the helpless Stekelenburg. By this point the Dutch had removed Willems for Ibrahim Affelay and were going for it, but it was still hard to feel sorry for them.
- This Portugal team were the only team on show on this night in Kharkiv and that is a real credit to what Paulo Bento has assembled. Their undisputed best player needs to be on his game for them to do damage but it is clear his support cast is more than capable as well. The midfield three are inventive when they need to be and industrious when called upon. Nani is lively, tracks back when needed and is really thriving at a tournament while their back four are a tough unit. They will be huge favourites to beat the Czechs on Thursday and after that a semi final against winner of group C or runner up in group D awaits. We thought all along if they could get through this group they could go far and once again they’ve done it. They have still not failed to get out of the group stages when qualifying for these championships.
- The Dutch go home in disgrace and their coach will surely be fired. He tried to change the personnel numerous times but they remained a bunch of individuals who never came together. Sure, they were poor defensively but its the likes of Robben, Van Persie and Van Bommel who should be the fall guys. They were all just a little bit more pathetic than the other players wearing orange. You will notice I didn’t use the word team-mates. It appears none of them really are mates at all.
Three Stars
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Joao Moutinho
- Joao Periera
Six Super Stats
- Portugal is the only country that has taken part in at least one group phase at the European Championships and has never crashed out in the group phase.
- This is the first time that Netherlands lost all group matches at a major tournament.
- For the first time since 1990 Netherlands lost 3 straight matches, when they lost to West Germany (2-1, World Cup), Italy (1-0, friendly) and Portugal (1-0, ECh qualifier).
- Cristiano Ronaldo became the 5th player to score in at least 5 major tournaments (ECh & WC). The only player that scored at more major tournaments (ECh & WC) is Jürgen Klinsmann: 6. The other players that scored at 5 tournaments are Thierry Henry, Rudi Völler and Henrik Larsson.
- Ronaldo joined Nuno Gomes, Jürgen Klinsmann, Hélder Postiga, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Vladimir Smicer as the only players who have scored on 3 different European Championships.
- Cristiano Ronaldo became the first Portuguese player to score at 5 major tournaments. He also scored at Euro 2004 & 2008 and WC 2006 & 2010.
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I agree with most things here, but I do believe there are two Portuguese players who should have taken spot two and three:
Miguel Veloso: If Meireles and Moutinho are more mentioned (with good reason), whenever Veloso plays like this he is brilliant. He has been the player who has given balance to the midfield, has picked up over and over again the creative players of the opposite teams (Özil vs Germany, Eriksson vs Denmark and van der Vaart, van Persie and Sneijder against Holland). Besides this, he has played simple balls always without getting bothered by pressure and his longer balls (mainly switching flanks) have bee perfect.
Coentrão: if it is true Pereira was great, Coentrão did not have the luxury of receiving support such as Nani gave. On top of that, Willems attacked much less than van der Wiel on the opposite flank, which meant he was frequently facing two players. And he still managed to attack very well.
hard to argue but there are only 3 spots. Veloso was very good.
You’re spot on about Portugal. We have great players besides Ronaldo, but we need him to be a difference maker.
Pepe had a great game as well. He’s having a very good tournament so far and is the heart and soul of the team.
Agreed Tiago, although he can certainly be a shithead, credit where credit is due. It’s slightly annoying that whenever Pepe is mentioned it’s in negative connotation. When he is quiet and plays without histrionics, while still stamping his authority on the game, it goes unmentioned… He led the team from the back and made up for some shaky play by Alves at centre half.
I love how “un-Portuguese” Moutinho plays. Never one to throw a hissy fit or shirk his defensive responsibilities he’s constantly buzzing around the pitch and cropping up where he is needed, he’s a perfect yin to Ronaldo/Nani yang. He got involved on a number of occasions offensively and provides a perfect link between the defenders and Portugal’s attacking prima donnas.
Additionally Helder Postiga worked tirelessly up front, constantly putting pressure on Holland’s back four and never giving them time to ease the ball up the pitch. He was terrific and deserved his goal, if not for straying a shade offside.
This Portugal team is the real deal. Watch out.
Excellent write-up as always KJ. Your analyses are the best of the bunch
Kristian Jack once again great observations. I think Nani played and awesome game. Very quick on the right side, but also knowing when to slow down the game and his crossing was great. Veloso what a game! I’m a big fan of the show, and both you and James are hands down the best football commentators in this country. Looking forward to read on tomorrow’s games.
Spot on observations as always KJ. I agree with Emanuel, you and James are hands down the best football commentators/pundits in Canada.
Portugal outplayed, out classed and out created the Dutch in each and every facet of the match. I agree with your observations KJ about the Dutch side being a bunch of individuals not a team. Bert van Marijk will most likely be sacked as manager and most of these players will lose their chances with the national side after these ECh. From the World Cup Final runners-up to 0-0-3 in the ECh 2 years later.
My only criticism about Ronaldo in this match was his petulance after he scored in the first half. He calls his teammates over, more likely demands, to celebrate the goal. But heaven forbid you should celebrate with your teammates when a match winning goal is scored by your teammate not you. Absolutely disgusting and definitely not captain material. He always thinks everything has to be about him, all attention on him (both at Real Madrid and nationally). Ronaldo is a fantastic player but as a human he makes me sick. In the end, Messi is still the best footballer in the world, no matter what Ronaldo does here at ECh.
You’re definitely overreacting… like extremely overreacting
If anyone else celebrated like that, I bet you wouldn’t give a toss.
Glad to see the Dutch go 3 and out. No heart, all style/no substance, no collective spirit here. Too many guys with personal agendas.
So glad that RVP (1) made it through the tournament uninjured (2) won’t miss too much of the start of the season and (3) will be motivated to cast the stink of this tournament off. I think most of the blame will fall on Robben (as it should) and their abysmal defense. Ron Vlaar and Joris Mathisen? PU
I hope Wenger can finalize the Giroud & M’Vila deals quickly, ditch the dead weight, and thus make RVP’s decision more difficult.
I think Bendtner earned himself a move. 2 goals, an assist today, good control. Plus, he looked a lot more mobile than Huntelaar. Here’s hoping some team takes a chance on him.
Where’s Didier to talk about how crappy Ronaldo was? We’re waiting…
Hi guys! My name is cristiana ronalda but most of you would know me as the world’s 4th or 5th best footballer in the world.
I can only score on SHITE defences. I am a gift from god because it was me who told Nani and whoever the other guy was to give me those godly passes. As you all know, I had the hard part to do, the passing part pffft sooo easy. You might think ANY DECENT PLAYER would’ve scored on those chances, but no!!!! I. AM. GOD.
I still can’t give a proper pass worth sht.
I still can’t cross worth sht.
And people think my 1st touch is amazing because most/all of my fans don’t watch true genious in Iniesta and Messi so they think everything I do is fcking unreal.
I am the luckiest son of a btch because all of a sudden people are going to “FORGET” my last TWO shite performances.
Again, I proved that I cannot dominate an entire match but just wait for my teammates to give me godly passes so I can score tap ins.
Again, I spent the 15 min. at halftime switching my hair do. I’m fcking unreal.
I better tell my gf that I blew Varela after the last game.
http://us13.memecdn.com/messi-vs-ronaldo_c_248602.jpg
lol didier. you just got to let go. when ronaldo gets this type of hate he loves it, and will just prove u wrong. he use to get boo’d all the time in england after the 2006 world cup and it made him better. You just have to accept ur not in control ronaldo and ur words are meaningless. so just let go.
Arsenal Football Club:
Playing Shite Football And Winning Diddly Squat Since 2005.
Beat Wigan 5-0 and play like “Barcelona”. Play ANY DECENT TEAM IN ANY COMPETITION, get destroyed and play like Wigan.
Fcking Liverpool…LIVERPOOOL WON MORE THAN U GUYS. HAHAHAH HOW DOES THAT FEEL????
Van Persie, listen bro. Plz go somwhere else. PLZ. SOMEWHERE WHERE THE REST OF THE WORLD CAN SEE YOU SUCCEED AND BE HAPPY. PLZ DON’T SETTLE FOR MEDIOCRITY VAN PERSIE.