Ronaldo dream still alive

Cristiano Ronaldo took his "dream" of an
international title another step closer when
Portugal beat Poland in a penalty shootout

to reach the European Championship semi-
finals.
Robert Lewandowski scored barely 100
seconds into the latest night of Euro 2016
drama before Portugal unleashed the player
who many say could lead the country's
post-Ronaldo era.
Making his first start at Euro 2016, Renato
Sanches, a powerful 18-year-old and already
a 35 million euro ($38 million) player,
smashed home a 25 metre drive to equalise
the match that went into extra time and
then penalties.
Sanches followed Ronaldo in hitting home
his spot kick as Portugal won 5-3, having
again failed to win a game in the alloted 90
minutes. That did not prevent relieved
Portuguese celebrations.
Ronaldo said it had been an "unforgetable"
night as Portugal had reached their target of
a semi-final place. "Everyone should be
congratulated."
But the Real Madrid star acknowledged
again that the prize he really cherishes is a
world or European title. And at 31, he knows
time is running out.
"The dream is getting closer and anything
can happen now. I'm not missing anything
(in honours) and even if my career finished
today I would still feel privileged," said the
Real Madrid star.
"But I've always said, and I don't hide it,
that I would love to win a title with the
national team. We're on the right road."
Poland started strongly, with Robert
Lewandowski scoring his first goal of Euro
2016 before the stadium had settled.
- Bayern boys -
Kamil Grosicki hurried past Southampton
right-back Cedric Soares to deliver a great
cross for Lewandowski to drive past a
flailing Rui Patricio as Poland made a flying
start.
It was the Polish striker's first goal of the
competition, after hitting a record 13 in
qualifying.
Sanches, his new teammate at Bayern
Munich, came to Portugal's rescue.
German referee Felix Brych waved away
Ronaldo's claims for a penalty on 31
minutes despite replays suggesting the Real
Madrid star was bundled over by centre-
back Michal Pazdan as he went to meet a
cross.
Two minutes later, Sanches collected Nani's
cutback from the right side of the area and
hit a fierce shot that deflected off Grzegorz
Krychowiak and beat Lukasz Fabianski at his
near post.
Portugal should have hit the winner on 85
minutes, but after sneaking behind Pazan to
meet a high ball from substitute Joao
Moutinho, Ronaldo's left foot failed to
connect with what looked like a simple
chance.
Extra time was notable more for the pitch
invader who tried to reach Ronaldo than for
real scoring chances. Fourteen security
personnel carried the Ronaldo fan off after
he was caught.
Goalkeeper Rui Patricio and Ricardo
Quaresma were Portugal's shootout heroes.
Patricio dived left to save Jakub
Blaszczykowski's tame fourth shot for the
Poles, who had reached the quarter-finals
for the first time.
Quaresma was next up for Portugal and
made no mistake firing high into the net to
beat Fabianski.
Sanches said it was a "wonderful moment
for the team" and for himself to score.
He made little of Portugal's failure to make
a clear win again.
"People criticise us but we don't care,
because we are in the semis," Sanches
said.
Ronaldo looked vulnerable, but Portugal
coach Fernando Santos hailed his
performance as "amazing".
"People focus on Ronaldo because he has to
score, but he played amazing, he is a great
captain."
Santos said it was "an exaggeration" to say
Sanches was taking over from the team's
number one player.
"He played a great game, but he is still
growing.
"This is not the future Renato because (in
the future) he will be an even better player.
"Renato is still growing and he has to take
all his qualities and put it all on the pitch."
Poland were disconsolate.
"It hurts and it will hurt for a long time,"
Lewandowski said as he watched Ronaldo
celebrate.
Portugal play the winner of Friday's game
between Belgium and Wales in Lille.
The final two quarter finals are between
Germany and Italy on Saturday followed by
France against underdogs Iceland on
Sunday.