Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Armando Franca)
June 17, 2012 - 4:42 PM
KHARKIV, Ukraine - Cristiano Ronaldo finally found the form he was lacking at the European Championship, scoring twice Sunday to give Portugal a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Real Madrid forward failed to sparkle in Portugal's two previous matches but he was devastating against the Dutch. He produced an equalizer with his first goal of the tournament in the 28th minute and scored the winner in the 74th.
Needing a win to have a chance at staying in the tournament, the disappointing Dutch fielded an impressive attacking lineup featuring Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie up front.
Rafael van der Vaart gave the Dutch the lead in the 11th minute, but Portugal then took control of the match.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012