Cristiano Ronaldo showed why he is one of the best players in the world, by putting up a virtuoso performance to inspire Portugal to a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and qualify for the quarterfinals.
The Dutch, finalists of the 2010 World Cup, campaign ended with barely a whimper, not picking up a single point in their three Group B games. In the other match Germany beat Denmark to top the group and progress as group winners.
Germany will take on Greece in the last-eight while Portugal face the Czech Republic in the quarters.
Sunday night was all about Ronaldo as the Real Madrid forward silenced his critics by inspiring Portugal to an unlikely victory. Rafael van der Vaart put the Dutch in front with a wonderful curling strike from outside the box in the 11th minute. Netherlands, needing a win by at least two goals, looked primed to pull off a victory as they went in search of the second. However, Ronaldo equalised in the 28th minute, latching onto a perfect through ball from Joao Pereira, and calmly slot the ball past goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
The Dutch huffed and puffed, but failed to break down the Portugal defense and their woeful tournament was ended by Ronaldo, who finished off a wonderful counter attack. Nani played the ball from the right to the far post, to his captain and the forward made no mistake, taking his time before slamming it past the goalkeeper in the 67th minute.
Ronaldo almost got his hat-trick, but a left-footed strike from the edge of the box cannoned of the post.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk was, understandably, disappointed. "We had to win with a two-goal difference so we had to take a risk and go forward, it started well but then it didn't go to plan.
"We are disappointed we did not play well today. I am disappointed, I am responsible.
"We started every match well and today the scenario was right when we opened the scoring but then you have to keep that advantage to force your opponent to take more risks.
"But again we proved not able to do that and then we gave the goals away too easy. I am responsible and therefore failed at this tournament but at this moment, I am not thinking about my future," Van Marwijk who has a contract until 2016 added.
Portugal coach Paulo Bento, said it was a team effort that got them through to the knockout rounds. "The individual effort of players is not important. The issue of the effort players show for their clubs and country we have already talked about so much. We have discussed that enough.
"I'm proud of what we've done as a team and satisfied that we achieved our aim brilliantly.
"We have a certain kind of style, identity and ideas. The players put that into practice.
"Today we can talk about brilliance; it was the best game we have played here. We have been loyal to our spirit and that's what we're proud of."
Bento refused to take their quarterfinal opponents, Czech Republic lightly. "We don't claim to be favourites against the Czech Republic and it won't be easy against them.
"They've shown they have the ability to turn a game and now we must continue our work and the quality we have shown so far. Maybe then we can even reach the semi-finals."
