Two early goals helped the Czech Republic heap more problems on struggling Turkey with a 2-0 friendly win at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium tonight.

Michael O’Neill watched his Northern Ireland side defy the odds to grind out a draw against Portugal, then declared: “I’m proud to be their manager”.

Portugal 1 Northern Ireland 1

Robin van Persie’s 30th international set the Netherlands on their way to a hard-fought 2-0 victory in their opening World Cup qualifier against Turkey last night.

Helder Postiga left it late to earn Real Zaragoza victory over 10-man Espanyol in the Primera Division.

Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa has warned his team-mates not to fall into the trap of assuming Cristiano Ronaldo is the only threat that Portugal pose to their hopes of progressing through to the Euro 2012 final.

As Antonin Panenka stepped up, a hush fell over the Marakana in Belgrade.

Cristiano Ronaldo warned Portugal will be “ready for the fight” when they line up for next week’s European Championship semi-final after his header beat the Czech Republic in Warsaw.

Portugal striker Helder Postiga has been ruled out of next week’s Euro 2012 semi-final through injury, the Portuguese football federation have confirmed.

Cristiano Ronaldo has clearly been borrowing some of Wayne Rooney’s hair product, judging both by his smooth new hairstyle and his ultra slick performance against the Czech Republic in which he stamped his mark on this tournament.

Czech Republic 0 Portugal 1

RUI COSTA led the so-called golden generation and Deco masterminded Luiz Felipe Scolari’s more combative side but now there is a big hole in the Portugal midfield.

Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Portugal’s passage into the quarter-finals with two goals that ended the Netherlands’ participation at Euro 2012.

Substitute Silvestre Varela kept alive Portugal’s hopes of qualifying from Group B with a late strike to spare the blushes of some of his more illustrious team-mates in Lviv.

Portugal 3 Denmark 2

Germany 1 Portugal 0

Will Cristiano Ronaldo be crowned king of Europe by claiming the tournament’s Golden Boot?

Real Madrid 3 Real Zaragoza 1

CRISTIANO RONALDO inspired Portugal to victory last night in Lisbon as his two goals help book their place in the Euro 2012 finals.

The Czech Republic joined Ireland in the Euro 2012 finals tonight after negotiating a potentially tricky night in Montenegro, Petr Jiracek's 81st-minute goal enough to give the Czechs a 1-0 win on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 Portugal 0

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA failed to make the most of home advantage as they played out a terrible goalless draw with Portugal in the first leg of their Euro 2012 play-off in Zenica.

Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 Portugal 0

TOTTENHAM striker Roman Pavlyuchenko hit a hat-trick as Russia beat Armenia 3-1 in Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifying Group B.

Sporting Lisbon 2 Rangers 2 (3-3 on aggregate, Rangers win on away goals)

Rangers 1 Sporting Lisbon 1

Spain striker Fernando Llorente described his side’s performance as “awful in every respect” after seeing the world champions crash to a comprehensive 4-0 friendly defeat at the hands of local rivals Portugal.

Portugal 4 Spain 0

Celtic wrapped up their North American tour on a winning note as they defeated Sporting Lisbon on penalties at Fenway Park.

Portugal 2 Germany 3

Switzerland 2 Portugal 0

Switzerland 0 Portugal 0

Panathinaikos 1 Rangers 1

Panathinaikos are expected to complete the loan signing of Angola striker Manucho from Manchester United.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho named an unchanged starting XI for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 clash against Porto at Stamford Bridge.

Andriy Shevchenko’s 58th European goal could prove vital to Chelsea’s continued progress in the Champions League but they were left with a major concern over the fitness of captain John Terry ahead of Sunday’s Carling Cup final.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho recalled Germany captain Michael Ballack for his first game since collecting a hamstring injury on international duty earlier this month.

TWO late goals from Portugal stunned Brazil and handed Dunga his first defeat as coach.

Brazil 0 Portugal 2

Arsenal successfully negotiated a potentially fraught trip to Porto but endured a few heart-stopping moments before clinching their place in the Champions League knockout stages.

David Beckham made his 100th Champions League appearance after coming on as a substitute in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest in Group E.

SPANISH champions Barcelona sent out a warning shot to Champions League opponents Chelsea last night as they opened up a three-point lead at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga after their nearest rivals all faltered.

England 0 Portugal 0 (Portugal win 3-1 on penalties after extra-time)

Portugal 2 Mexico 1