Ronaldo sinks Holland

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal's passage into the quarter-finals with two goals that ended dismal Holland's participation at Euro 2012 with this 2-1 defeat.

Ronaldo was irresistible throughout as he led his side to a last-eight appointment with the Czech Republic in Warsaw on Thursday.

The 27-year-old responded to criticism of his form with a mesmerising display topped by a goal in each half to ensure Portugal finished the 'group of death' as runners-up behind Germany.

Apart from a fine early strike from Rafael van der Vaart, Hollandwere poor, ensuring a team considered among the pre-tournament favourites finished bottom of Group B without a point to their name.

The match was 11 minutes old when Holland's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals were given a shot in the arm. Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben weaved a path to the edge of the area where Van der Vaart was waiting to steer an inch-perfect finish into the bottom left corner.

Maarten Stekelenburg then kept out a well-struck header by Ronaldo, who would not be denied in the 28th minute. The initial damage was done by Joao Pereira's defence-splitting pass and Ronaldo rewarded his vision with a composed first touch and slick finish.

Nani missed narrowly, but it was Portugal's captain who was the prominent figure on the pitch as he twice went close to seizing the lead. The Real Madrid forward continued to attack the Dutch early in the second half, but his side should have trailed in the 53th minute.

Wesley Sneijder crossed from the left to the unmarked Ron Vlaar only for his clumsy attempted header to drift off-target from close range.

Postiga had a goal disallowed for offside before Fabio Coentrao was denied by sharp reactions from Stekelenburg, who then frustrated Nani from point-blank range after a marauding run by Ronaldo.

The Portugal wingers combined once again in the 74th minute, and this time Holland cracked. A swift counter attack ended with Nani feeding a long pass to Ronaldo who dummied his shot, took the ball into space and prodded home.

PA Sports