Euro 2012: Penalty Blunder As Portugal Crash Out

Portugal endured a penalty blunder as they crashed out of the semi-finals. With the game deadlocked after a goalless 120 minutes, the tie went to a penalty shootout. Xabi Alonso missed Spain's first, but a miss by Moutinho immediately afterwards gave Spain hope. Iniesta, Pepe and Pique then converted their spotkicks, taking the shootout to 1-2 in Spains favour. That's when things took a bizarre twist. Bruno Alves made the long walk from the half way line to take his kick hoping to level for Portugal, only for Nani to chase after him. Alves then turned on his heels and made his way back as Nani duly converted from the spot. Whether it was a blunder on Alves' part or some sort of mind game remains uncertain. Either way, Alves looked rattled as he arrived back in the centre circle, and later crashed his shot against the bar before former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso scored the crucial winner. With all the spotlights on Ronaldo tonight, the penalty running order meant he would have taken the fifth spotkick for Portugal and was not required at all. Many will question why he decided to wait until last, and will wonder if things could have been different had he taken the fourth spot kick instead. Either way, Portugal are out, and Spain will compete against one of Germany or Italy, who play tomorrow night.