Ronaldo strikes as Portugal gains
GENEVA, Switzerland - Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal for Portugal since October was the game-winner in a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic yesterday that moved the Portuguese into the quarterfinals of the European Championship.
GENEVA, Switzerland - Cristiano Ronaldo's first goal for Portugal since October was the game-winner in a 3-1 victory over the Czech Republic yesterday that moved the Portuguese into the quarterfinals of the European Championship.
Ronaldo's goal, in the 63d minute, came off a brilliant pass by the playmaker Deco, who scored Portugal's first goal. Substitute Ricardo Quaresma clinched it in injury time off a pass from Ronaldo.
That gave the Portuguese six points in Group A, with a game against Switzerland, the cohost with Austria, to come.
The Czechs, who have three points and next play Turkey, got a goal on a header by Libor Sionko, off a corner kick, in the 17th minute. They beat Switzerland in their opener.
Turkey 2, Switzerland 1
BASEL, Switzerland - Arda Turan scored in injury time, eliminating the Swiss. Turan sent a right-footed shot from outside the area that deflected in off a Swiss defender.
Substitute Semih Senturk also scored for Turkey, after Hakan Yakin had given Switzerland the lead in torrential rain in the 32d minute.
Switzerland became only the second European Championship host eliminated before the final four. Belgium, a cohost in 2000, also failed to get through the group stage.
The Turks and Czechs will play Sunday for the final quarterfinal spot in Group A.