England wants to bring football home. Today they face their biggest hurdle so far. Portugal reaches the quarterfinals over the back of the Dutch.
"Less about grace and style then it was about ugliness," says the commentator about the Portuguese victory over the Dutch.
For details of the game, I refer to my match reports. If I may close the subject.
The teams start the match careful, defending solid. The nations alternate ball possession, testing the defenses. Portugal seems to inch a little further, but both nations find pathways to the target.
In the six minute, England fires from the left flank, forty-five degrees and twenty-five meters from the front of the target. The Portuguese keeper dives of his line. He stretches his arms, balls his fists, and stumps the ball out of harms way.
"This is the better England side," says the commentator.
Rooney, for England, tests the goalkeeper in the eight minute. He receives a pass from a little over the halfway line. He turns and shoots. The Portuguese keeper passes the test, he catches the ball in between his chest and his arms.
Ronaldo, for Portugal tests the goalie for England, from twenty-five meters. Also the English goalie passes the test. However, the ice is broken, the formalities are out of the way. Now they tango.
The dance turns dirty. Terry, for England, receives a yellow card. If England beats Portugal, he cannot play in the semi final because of a previous booking.
The game heats and cools into the second half. Fans of both sides hold their breath longer then the average mussel-diver.
Beckham, for England, is injured and substituted for Lennon. Maybe he brings England on a different tune. However, the tango is far from romantic. Rooney receives a red card in the sixty-first minute.

He steps back onto a fallen Portuguese striker and incidentally strides on a couple of Portuguese private parts. The romance of the dance is gone. Ten English now battle eleven Portuguese, and they still create opportunities. Portugal opens the same trick box they used against the Dutch. They fake injury when England advances, tripping the offense.
The English crowd burst out in a massive 'God save the queen'. England responses, but so Portugal.

The match is a true nail biter until the end whistle of regular time, and continues to be in overtime.
Fatigue limits the possibilities for both teams. Ten dedicated Englishmen hold of eleven Portuguese until faith will be decided with penalty kicks.

"History is against England," says the commentator, reflecting of the win/loss record of England in penalties shoot out.
Portugal goes first. The English keeper dives to the right corner, but cannot reach.

1-0

"He drills the first one."
Lampard is next for England.
"He has missed before."
The Portuguese keeper saves

1-0

"Lampard misses again."
Portugal shoots the next penalty off the left post, installing new life into the English crowd

1-0

"He did not get it."
England can equalize.

1-1

"All tied up."
Portugal revives the dream of England, shooting their kick three feet wide of the left post.

1-1

"He missed it."
Gerard, can give England the lead.
"Blocked".
England stuns.
Portugal strikes.

2-1

"Portugal takes the lead."
England lands the ball into the bet. But takes the penalty too quick and the referee insist on a retake. The ball bounces of the keeper and cracks the crossbar, no goal.

2-1

England stands stills.
"Ronaldo can send Portugal in the Semi-final"
Ronaldo shoots.

3-1

"England's dream is over."
Suddenly England shares the Dutch faith, wrestled out the tournament by the Portuguese. My sympathy goes to all my English friend, I know how you feel.
Portugal is rough riding the world cup dream. They will face the champions Brazil in the semi finals.