Both Portugal and the Netherlands had everything to play for in their game at Metalist Stadium in Kharkov, Ukraine. A win would essentially secure qualification for the Portuguese. The Netherlands required at least a two goal winning margin as well as hoping the in-form Germans could beat Denmark in their last group game.

With the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben in their squad, the Netherlands are a side always capable of producing excellent attacking displays. They set about doing just that when they took the lead in the 11^th minute. Robben fed the ball to Rafael van der Vaart on the edge of the penalty area, and the midfielder curled the ball into the top corner, beyond the reaches of the beleaguered Rui Patricio.

Often criticized for their defending, the Netherlands were lucky to still be leading after twenty minutes. Poor defending allowed Cristiano Ronaldo, Helder Postiga and Raul Meireles to all have early attempts, although all three failed to test Maarten Stekelenburg in the Dutch goal.

So often the hero for Real Madrid, Ronaldo came close to doing the same for Portugal when he beat his marker to meet Nani’s cross, but his header, albeit powerful, was aimed close to Stekelenburg. The Dutch goalkeeper made an impressive reflex save, continuing to leave Ronaldo goalless so far at the tournament.

His wait was not a long one, however, as he leveled the scores for his side in the 27^th minute. He timed his run to perfection to collect Joao Pereira’s through ball into the area and calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing Stekelenburg.

Despite starting more brightly, the Netherlands were looking outclassed at the half time whistle with Portugal, and more specifically Ronaldo, growing into the game as it progressed. The interval offered a chance for the Netherlands to regroup and attempt to re-establish the dominance they enjoyed at the beginning of the first half – a must if they were to have any chance of progressing into the knockout stages of the tournament.

A few tactical changes, including the switching of Robben to the left wing and Robin van Persie to the right, allowing Sneijder to hover behind the striker and attempt to pick up the ball in the space between the defense and the midfield, seemed to breathe life into the Dutch. Yet they still seemed to lack the final pass or composure to unlock the Portuguese defense.

With time running out, the Dutch threw caution to the wind, bringing in Ibrahim Affelay for Jetro Willems, weakening their defense to bring on the extra attacker. Their defensive frailties were soon realized when Ronaldo scored his second of the night after being given far too much time on the ball in the Dutch penalty area.

Credit should be given to the Dutch for their unwillingness to give up on the game, but with just fifteen minutes left to play and three goals needed to put them into a position to qualify from the group, it was a case of too little too late. The Dutch succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Portugal.

Portugal manager Paulo Bento will be thrilled not only with the attacking incision displayed by his team, but also their defensive discipline. With the knockout rounds looming, the resurgence in form of Ronaldo has to be the biggest positive from the game and will have quarter-final opponent Czech Republic worried.

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Manchester United triumphed 2-0 over Romanian side Otelul, in what was a controversial and close fought encounter for the English champions, with both sides finishing with ten players apiece.

Having not recorded a victory in their opening two group games, there was a certain level of pressure on United to secure the three points at the Bucharest National Stadium, and while they may have enjoyed having a superior support than the home side, many of United’s foreign stars will not have enjoyed the freezing temperatures they had to endure.

The first half started fairly uneventfully, with both sides feeling each other out and cautious not to make any mistakes. There were few chances of note to speak of, and United striker Wayne Rooney often found himself marked out of the game by a proficient Otelul defence. The visitors best chance of the half came close to the end, with Nani cutting back the ball for the waiting Michael Carrick, but the midfielder was wasteful, blazing the ball over the bar.

The game exploded into life in the second half however, and by the 64^th minute, United had the lead they were craving. The referee awarded a penalty after Rooney’s cross was judged to have been handled by Otelul captain Sergiu Costin, and the England international had no difficulties firing the ball into the back of the net, sending goalkeeper Branko Grahovac the wrong way in the process.

United’s joy soon turned bitter-sweet however, when centre-back Nemanja Vidic, returning from injury, was sent off for an unneeded and clumsy challenge on Gabriel Giurgiu, leaving his side with the unenviable task of holding on to their lead with just ten men and over twenty minutes left to play.

With Otelul pushing hard for an equaliser, any potential United blushes seemed to be saved when Milan Perendija was given a second booking, therefore reducing the home side to ten men aswell, effectively killing off any chance of an Otelul comeback.

Rooney then went on to add another penalty in the dying minutes, a result of a trip from Liviu Antal on the striker, and in the process, became the highest scoring Englishman in Champions League history.

United now sit two points behind Benfica in second place in the group, but will have taken confidence from this victory, and will look to upset Benfica in the coming weeks as they attempt to finish the group strongly and head into the knockout rounds with the easier draw that finishing top of the group promises.

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