Portugal reaches quarterfinals by Ronaldo double goals, Portugal beat Netherlands 2-1 in euro cup 2012 match

Ronaldo double sends Portugal into Euro 2012 quarterfinals

Portugal beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Sunday to set up a Euro 2012 quarterfinal with the Czech Republic and condemn the Dutch to a first group-stage European Championship exit since 1980.

The 2012 World Cup finalists Netherlands were seen as one of the pre-tournament favourites but failed spectacularly to live up to the billing and now return home on the back of three successive defeats.

Netherlands needing to win by two clear goals to stand any hope of progressing to the Euro Cup 2012 quarterfinals, and Rafeal Van der Vaart looked to have set his side up for an unlikely quarter-final spot when he put them ahead with a fine early strike in the 11^th minute of the match, but Portugal fought back through two Cristiano Ronaldo goals to leave the Dutch bottom of Group B.

The Portuguese captain defied criticism of his performances with a magnificent display to secure second place in Group B to compete for a semi-final place against the Czech Republic in Warsaw on Thursday.

Rafeal van der Vaart, who replaced Captain Mark van Bommel and inherited the captain's armband from him needed less than 11 minutes to vindicate his manager's decision, collecting a pass from Arjen Robben and shaping a delightful 25-yard shot inside the left-hand post to put Holland ahead.

On 28 minutes sloppy play from the Jetro Willems gave Joao Pereira possession, and the Portugal right-back slid Ronaldo through with one of the passes of the tournament - and the Portugal captain found the net at last.

Portugal continued to dominate in the second half of the match, in 74^th min Ronaldo teed up Nani, whose close range shot brought a brilliant save from Stekelenburg - but a more precise finish would have given the goalkeeper no chance.