EURO 2012 PORTUGA AND NETHERLAN THROU

Portugal 2 Holland 1: Ronaldo finally joins Euro party to put Dutch out of their misery

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

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.

The main man: Ronaldo inspired Portugal to a place in the last eight

Match facts

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao, Meireles (Custodio 72), Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Nani (Rolando 87), Postiga (Nelson Oliveira 64), Ronaldo. Subs not used: Eduardo, Almeida, Quaresma, Ricardo Costa, Ruben Micael, Varela, Miguel Lopes, Hugo Viana, Beto.

Scorer: Ronaldo 28, 74.

Holland: Stekelenburg, Willems (Afellay 67), Mathijsen, Vlaar, Van der Wiel, Van der Vaart, Nigel De Jong, Sneijder, Van Persie, Robben, Huntelaar. Subs not used: Vorm, Heitinga, Bouma, Van Bommel, Kuyt, Schaars, Strootman, Luuk de Jong, Narsingh, Boulahrouz, Krul.

Booked: Willems, Van Persie.

Scorer: Van der Vaart 11.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy).

Attendance: 38,633.

Apart from a fine early strike from Rafael van der Vaart, Holland were 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.

A moment of madness from Gregory van der Wiel almost saw Holland concede the advantage but, having inexplicably passed the ball to Helder Postiga, he watched in relief as the Portugal striker shot wide with only Maarten Stekelenburg to beat.

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.

Safe passage: Portugal celebrate Ronaldo's second goal which sees them navigate a tough group

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.

Holland's defence was in danger over being over-run with Ronaldo cast at their tormentor in chief with Portugal pushing for a second.

The Real Madrid forward continued to attack the Dutch early in the second half, but his side should have trailed in the 53th minute.

Hope: Rafael van der Vaart unleashes an unstoppable drive past Rui Patricio, sparking wild scenes of celebration

No chance: Patricio

Denmark 1 Germany 2: Danes heading home as ton-up Podolski sets up Greece clash

Lars Bender spared Germany from a shock Euro 2012 exit with the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over Denmark, whose tournament ended tonight in Lviv.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, playing as full-back for the national team, struck as Denmark were pushing for a goal which would have taken them through to the last eight at their opponents' expense, and just after Morten Olsen's side had seen a strong penalty appeal turned down.

Lukas Podolski put Germany in front in the 19th minute, but a goal from Michael Krohn-Dehli five minutes later lifted Denmark's spirits.

Party time: Germany celebrate Lukas Podolski's opening goal against Denmark

MATCH FACTS

Denmark: Andersen, Jacobsen, Kjaer, Agger, Simon Poulsen, Kvist Jorgensen, Eriksen, Jakob Poulsen (Mikkelsen 82), Zimling (Christian Poulsen 78), Krohn-Delhi, Bendtner. 

Subs Not Used: Lindegaard, Rommedahl, Bjelland, Okore, Schone, Silberbauer, Pedersen, Wass, Kahlenberg, Schmeichel.
Goals: Krohn-Delhi 25.

Germany: Neuer, Bender, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller (Kroos 84), Ozil, Podolski (Schurrle 64), Gomez (Klose 74).

Subs Not Used: Wiese, Gundogan, Schmelzer, Howedes, Mertesacker, Gotze, Reus, Zieler.

Goals: Podolski 19, Bender 80.

Att: 35,000

Ref: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain).

Germany controlled much of the game, but were nevertheless made to sweat as Denmark's belief and Portugal's 2-1 win over Holland ensured a tense finale which ended in their favour, clinching them top spot in Group A with a perfect record and a clash with Greece in Gdansk on Friday.

Germany coach Joachim Low made his first change of the tournament, replacing the suspended Jerome Boateng with Lars Bender, but he resisted the temptation to make further alterations to his winning side.

Niki Zimling was passed fit to play by Denmark coach Morten Olsen, while the injured Dennis Rommedahl's place was taken by Jakob Poulsen.

Low's side began with authority and the diligent Muller went close twice early on, but Stephan Andersen showed lightning reactions to deny his second attempt in the sixth minute.

Germany remained camped in the Denmark half, playing a patient yet expressive game which led to Podolski marking his 100th Germany appearance with a goal in the 19th minute.

Muller provided a low cross from the right-hand side of the penalty area which Mario Gomez flicked intelligently back to Podolski, who left nothing to chance with a powerful shot from seven yards out.

Level pegging: Denmark's Michael Krohn-Dehli (left) scores the equaliser against Germany

Germany's lead lasted only five minutes, though, before Krohn-Dehli's second goal of the tournament brought the Danes level.

He diverted Nicklas Bendtner's header past Manuel Neuer from six yards out from a well-worked corner after a positive reaction from the Danes to falling behind.

Towards the end of the first half, Podolski blazed a free-kick over the bar from the edge of the penalty area and Sami Khedira prodded a shot wide from 10 yards out as Denmark were again forced to defend.