Cristiano Ronaldo’s powerful header 11 minutes from time sent Portugal into the Euro 2012 semi-finals with a deserved 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Thursday.

The world’s most expensive played hit the woodwork twice on an initially frustrating evening but crowned Portugal’s dominant second-half performance with his third goal of the tournament, nodding a right-wing Joao Moutinho cross into the net.

It was an impressive display from the Portuguese who were appearing in their fifth European Championship quarter-final in a row and will play Spain or France in the last four.