Croatia 0 Portugal 1: Ricardo Quaresma’s extra-time sucker-punch sends Croats crashing out of Euro 2016
RICARDO QUARESMA ended one of the worst games in Euros history with a late sucker punch.
It took till the 26th minute of extra time for either team to record a shot on target.
Portugal holds its breath as Ricardo Quaresma heads his country into the Euro 2016 with a breathless extra-time goal in LensRicardo Quaresma celebrates heading Portugal into the last eight of Euro 2016Cristiano Ronaldo’s orignal effort was saved by Subasic but straight into the path of Ricardo Quaresma who scored the winnerCroatia's players were devastated after a fantastic chance quickly turned sour as Portugal scored the winner seconds later
And that was the moment Croatia had a superb header hit the post, but they were caught with their trousers down.
Renato Sanches brilliantly took the resulting clearance from box to box and released the ball out wide before it was crossed to Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Real Madrid star's thumper was then saved by Danijel Subasic, but he spilled the ball right into the path of tattooed enigma Quaresma, who nodded it home, just 28 seconds after they nearly went out.
Cue wild celebrations and a breathless, explosive finale to what, ironically, was the poorest game of the Euros so far.
Given that it was between two of the most talented teams, it was a big disappointment.
Croatia's midfielders Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic were clearly trying hard, but could not break through a solid Portuguese destroyer William Carvalho and defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Jose Fonte.
Stats showed that during the original 90 minutes Portugal touched the ball inside their opposition's box just six times, Croatia managed 10.
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Not another 30 mins! This is so dull. Anyone need a fence creosoting!?#CROPOR#EURO2016
72 goals in 38 completed games at #EURO2016 before #CRO v #POR makes 1.89 goals per game on avg. Lowest in the history of the tournament.
— sportingintelligence (@sportingintel) June 25, 2016
Marcelo Brozovic goes up for a header from a set piece
Ivan Perisic shows off his Croatian-inspired chessboard haircut
Croatia players line-up for the pre-match photo ahead of their game with PortugalPortugal team line up ahead of their Euro 2016 round of 16 game against CroatiaPortugal brought their fans out in force in Lens
#CROPOR #EURO2016
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