(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Cristiano Ronaldo found himself overshadowed by the rising star of Portuguese football, 18-year-old Renato Sanches as they booked their place in the Euro 2016 semifinals.
Despite still having failed to win a game in 90 minutes, Ronaldo is just two victories away from delivering Portugal''s first major tournament win after scraping past Poland 5-3 on penalties in Marseille.
"The dream is getting closer and anything can happen now," said Ronaldo.
The quarter-final clash had been billed as a shootout between two of Europe''s leading marksmen. Poland''s Robert Lewandowski and Ronaldo. Between them, they scored 93 goals for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid this season.
Poland struck first blood as Lewandowski ended his Euro 2016 drought before Ronaldo had even touched the ball.
Yet, rather than being revived by Ronaldo, Portugal''s saviour was Sanches. His energy, class and brilliant goal brought Fernando Santos''s men back to life.
"It is a wonderful moment for the team and for me for scoring, we have been working very hard and we have been doing our best," the teenager said.
Sanches had not started an international match before, but his impact off the bench to earn man-of-the-match from a drab 1-0 win over Croatia in the last 16 forced Santos''s hand to release him onto the big stage.
Bayern Munich''s move to seal his signature from Benfica for 35 million euros ($38 million) now looks a wise one with the reputation of one of Europe''s hottest prospects only enhanced by his showing in France.
By contrast, Ronaldo, as in past games at Euro 2016, looked slow, surly and riled by some Polish roughhouse tactics.
Sanches took control with his power and energy in midfield and got his reward.
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