MARSEILLE, France — Ricardo Quaresma scored the winning penalty as Portugal beat Poland 5-3 in a shootout in the European Championship quarterfinals on Thursday following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
After scoring an extra-time winner in the round of 16 against Croatia, Quaresma sent his spot-kick past Lukasz Fabianski to give Portugal a semifinal against either Wales or Belgium in Lyon on Wednesday. It will be the fourth time the Portuguese have reached the semifinals in the last five tournaments.
Earlier, Poland striker Robert Lewandowski had put his team in front with the quickest goal of the tournament, scoring inside two minutes.
Portugal right-back Cedric Soares misjudged a cross-field ball, allowing Kamil Grosicki to break into space on the left flank and send in a low cross for Lewandowski to convert with a first-time shot.
Poland’s lead lasted until the 33rd minute, when 18-year-old Renato Sanches lit up the game with an equalizer.
The youngster cut in from the right and passed to Nani, who sent it back immediately with a neat backheel. Sanches unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the area that took a deflection off Grzegorz Krychowiak on its way past the outstretched Fabianski.
Cristiano Ronaldo had another poor game for Portugal at the European Championship, missing a golden opportunity to win the game in the 85th. He beat the Polish offside trap with a perfectly timed run but completely missed the ball as he tried to convert a bouncing pass from Joao Moutinho.
The Real Madrid star missed another good chance early in extra time, though he did score with Portugal’s opening penalty of the shootout.
Both teams face sanctions from UEFA for pyrotechnic use by their fans, while play was briefly stopped in extra time by a fan who ran onto the pitch.
JAMES ELLINGWORTH
