After all the speculation about the tortured arithmetic that might decide this group, the sums were simple. Germany and Portugal advance. Hope had arrived for Holland in the shape of Rafael van der Vaart's opening goal, but Cristiano Ronaldo first equalised and then struck the winner in the second half to send his side into a quarter-final meeting with the Czech Republic.
Mark van Bommel may have appeared beside his manager at the press conference on the eve of the match, but the air of solidarity was not to be trusted. In the wake of the two losses by Holland, radical action had not been wiped from the agenda. Van Bommel was ditched and so lost the armband to Van der Vaart, who had not made the starting lineup against Germany.
Portugal, all the same, had too much technique not to command and they could afford a chance that Nani squandered. Shortly after, it was Ronaldo, however, who made his presence felt once again. Nani squared the ball to the Real Madrid attacker on the left and, with the full-back keeling over, Ronaldo came inside to establish a 2-1 lead.
The Dutch have worth established over many years, but this occasion asked too much even of them. Portugal, for their part, looked as if their tournament was just starting. All was in their favour, with Van der Vaart's attempt being blocked by the post in the 82nd minute of a night that Portugal can relish.
Holland never gave up and were close to a leveller from Van Persie whose shot went wide. As if piqued Ronaldo then hit the post. Recent issues had left the Dutch in circumstances they could not overcome and they will face quite an inquest in the coming days.
Read more: Euro 2012: Portugal 2-1 Holland | Group B match report | Football | The Guardian
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