Re: Portugal Thread - Aqui batem 10 milhões de corações.
Credit to Portugal, but in the end the best team won.
This is a shame for Moutinho who was by a mile the best man on the pitch. To me he is the best Portugese player of the tournament. He was immensen against Holland, Czech republic and even better yesterday.
Alves should have had 3 or 4 yellows and thus sent off (but Ramos might have been sent off too), but Miguel Veloso should have got a straight red for that tackle on Jordi Alba. Once again Ronaldo failed when it mattered. Although yesterday he played more as a team player.
The penalty mix up between Nani and Alves. Here is what happened (according to Euro 2012 daily podcast from the Guardian): Alves was so concentrated that he thought it was his turn. He was wrong and Nani reminded him of that. Of course it's easy to say afterwards, but Nani made the mistake to call him back...he should have let him go.
I love Spain, but Portugal really did well. Spain had big problems against them (Meireles was also outstanding) and i kind of feel sorry for Portugal (but not too much). In the end Spain deserved the win because they were great in the extra time. David Silva is the player i like most of this Spanish team, but yesterday things went better with Pedro on the field. He was fantastic (against physically knackered opponents?). Maybe Del Bosque should start the match with Pedro instead of Silva. Despite all the fantastic players it seems as if Del Bosque misses a jigsaw piece (Villa?). Fabregas on the bench, Mata never used, Llorente never used...
If Spain play Germany in the final, they will loose. If they play Italy, they will win.
Finally: congratulations Portugal for a fantastic tournament. You came very close. You should be proud of your team, the players and the coach (who did a very good job).
PS: so much negative things have been said about Pepe. Yesterday when the match finished, he stayed on the pitch and went congratulating the Spanish players (maybe only the Madrid players, but i'm not even sure about that). That is a very classy reaction. IMO he played a very good tournament. Yesterday he had a few reckless challenges, but his first foul in yesterday's match was only his second foul in the tournament until then. That is exceptionally good for CB. He deserves to be in the team of tournament (besides Hummels, who for me is the best player so far).