Robert Lewandowski Scores Early Goal For Poland, But Portugal Win In Penalties At Euro 2016 Quarter-Final

Portugal defeated Poland 5-3 in penalties at the first UEFA Euro 2016 quarterfinal in Marseille on Thursday after tying 1-1 in regulation.

Robert Lewandowski Scores Early Goal For Poland, But Portugal Win In Penalties At Euro 2016 Quarter-Final

Portugal, who have failed to win any of their games this tournament in regulation, will next face either Wales or Belgium in the semifinals on Wednesday, July 6. Those two teams will play on Friday.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, 27, put Poland ahead 1-0 just 1 minute, 40 seconds into the game with a one-time shot from the box after a cross from the left side by Kamil Grosicki. Lewandowski’s goal, his first of the tournament, was the second-fastest score in Euro 2016 history. The quickest goal was Dmitri Kirichenko’s for Russia against Greece after 65 seconds in 2004.

Then in the 33rd minute, Lewandowski’s Bayern teammate, 18-year-old midfielder Renato Sanches, scored in his first international start for Portugal to tie the game. After receiving a pass from Nani and briefly maneuvering around a few Polish defenders, Sanches fired a left-footer– which deflected off Grzegorz Krychowiak– from the edge of the box and into the corner past goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański. 

Very little happened from then on, although there was a brief moment of drama late in extra time when a spectator ran onto the pitch. He was brought to ground by security and quickly removed.

Poland, who had never won a European Championship match before this tournament and finished bottom of their group on home soil four years ago, will bemoan their early missed opportunities and probably backed themselves in the shootout having got past Switzerland that way in the last round.

The only really clear chance of the second half came for Portugal in the 85th minute, when substitute Joao Moutinho lobbed a clever pass over the top only for Cristiano Ronaldo who, having taken the time to glance at the keeper’s positioning, failed to make any contact on the dropping ball with the goal wide open.

Finally, in penalties, Poland midfielder Jakub Błaszczykowski missed his team’s fourth shot to the right side of the goal, a shot which was saved by diving Portuguese goalie Rui Patricio. 

Ricardo Quaresma ended up scoring Portugal’s final penalty with a high shot to secure the victory for his team and send them into the semifinals for the fourth time in five tournaments.

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 30: Robert Lewandowski of Poland controls the ball under pressure of Jose Fonte of Portugal during the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between Poland and Portugal at Stade Velodrome on June 30, 2016 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena