Bento Portugal Penalty Plan Fails

Portugal coach Paulo Bento said his side had planned their penalty shoot-out strategy - and Cristiano Ronaldo was down to take the fifth spot-kick.

“There was some confusion with Bruno Alves and with Nani, then Bruno took the penalty... and it was decisive”Paulo BentoPortugal coach

Reigning champions Spain beat the Portuguese 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw, meaning Ronaldo did not have a chance to step up.

"We had this plan," the 43-year-old coach admitted after the semi-final.

"If it would have been 4-4 and he would have taken the last penalty, we would be talking in a different way."

Real Madrid star Ronaldo, 27, endured a frustrating evening, seeing a number of free-kicks sail harmlessly away from Spanish keeper Iker Casillas's goal.

He then watched in dismay as first Joao Moutinho's penalty was saved, then Bruno Alves hit the bar with his effort. Spain substitute Cesc Fabregas slotted home the winner to send Bento's men home and Spain into the final.

"It's always painful losing on penalties but penalties are always a lottery and the one who has the best luck wins," Ronaldo told the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.

"It was a good Euro. We played the four best teams. We're going out a bit frustrated because we could have gone to the final but we were unlucky.

"I gave my best as I always have done and that's why I'm happy with my own contribution.

"We must be proud because we played well but we didn't have the luck we needed."

Alves's penalty miss was all the more acute as the defender had appeared set to take the preceding spot-kick before midfielder Nani rushed to intercept his team-mate.

Manchester United winger Nani scored his attempt but, following Alves's miss, Bento was left to regret the mix-up.

"There was some confusion with Bruno Alves and with Nani, then Bruno took the penalty... and it was decisive," the coach said.

"Penalties could have been an advantage for us."

The former Portugal international was left reflecting on a tournament that he regarded as a success, despite Wednesday's semi-final elimination.

"In my opinion we have played a very good tournament," he said.

"If you don't have this little bit of luck then you miss it. We didn't have much luck in this game."

Portugal v Spain - Semifinal - Donetsk

Portugal will battle defending champions Spain for a spot in the Euro 2012 decider when they meet in the semi-finals at the Donbass Arena on Wednesday evening.

Both teams enter the last-four clash on the back of three consecutive wins at the tournament, with Sunday's final clearly in sight.

Vicente del Bosque's Spain produced an effective quarter-final victory against France, while their neighbours downed Czech Republic to advance.

The Spanish have met Portugal 34 times - more than any other side - winning 16 times and losing just six.

Patience

Paulo Bento believes patience is key if his Portugal side are going to find a way past the holders and world champions in Donetsk.

"Of course there are going to be moments in the game when we can link up and go forward," he said in Tuesday's pre-game press conference.

"We want possession of the ball but we are playing against a team that has played better than all the other teams.

"It's going to be about patience. We know what we have to do. We have to put pressure on our opponents in the right areas of the pitch.

"Our aim is not to defend all the time. You can't do that against the world and European champions. We are aware that it's going to be difficult but they also know that we can cause them problems.

"It was very easy to get motivated because we're in the semi-finals. There can't be a more beautiful opportunity than the one we have tomorrow."

Real Zaragoza frontman Postiga has been ruled out with a thigh injury, meaning coach Bento will be unable to field the same starting line-up which he has used in the last six competitive matches.

Besiktas forward Hugo Almeida is expected to get the nod in Donetsk, with 20-year-old Nelson Oliveira, who has come on as a substitute three times in the tournament, likely to be on the bench again.

Almeida will be flanked in the Portuguese attack by Cristiano Ronaldo, whose glittering displays against the Netherlands and the Czechs played a decisive part in sending Portugal into the last four.

He has scored three goals in Portugal's last two games and is one goal from setting his country's all-time European Championship scoring record, at seven. He has never found the net against Spain in two previous competitive fixtures.

"We'll intend to throw him off his game, the best example of that is the second round win at the World Cup, where we managed the better result," said Del Bosque of a 1-0 win over Portugal in Johannesburg.

"The idea will be the same."

Del Bosque reported no new injury problems following the quarter-final victory against Les Bleus.

However, he must decide whether to start the game again without a recognised striker and allow Cesc Fabregas to fill the role.

If Del Bosque decides against the quarter-final line-up, Fernando Torres could lead the line, while Pedro could also get a start in the Spain midfield.

Spain has won its last six knockout round games at major tournaments by a combined score of 7-0.

Although the team is not providing eye-catching scorelines, it has shown patience and maturity to break down opponents who nearly always 'park the bus', or take a completely defensive approach.

"I would prefer if they play back in their own half, it's a satisfaction for us to keep possession," Del Bosque said of the Portuguese.

"They have enough players that can provide alternatives to their attack, but I would like it if they played in a defensive way because we have solutions to combat that."