The Euro 2016 quarter-finals kick off Thursday, starting with a matchup between Portugal and Poland. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Poland's Robert Lewandowski step into the spotlight in Marseille.
Portugal needed a late goal from Ricardo Quaresma to survive the last round; Quaresma scored in the 117th minute to give Poland a 1-0 win over Croatia. The game was feisty from start to finish, but Portugal got the job done. They are now on the cusp of back-to-back appearances in the semifinals. If they can get past Poland, they’ll have five semifinal appearances in their eight trips to the Euros.
Poland drew 1-1 with Switzerland after 120 minutes of play, but they managed to snatch a win through penalties to get to the quarter-finals. Jakub Blaszczykowski scored for Poland, who got past the group stage for the first time in three appearances in the European Championships.
This will be the 11th meeting between Portugal and Poland. Portugal has won four and drawn three of their 10 meetings with Poland, and the last two meetings resulted in draws.
Soccer Odds: Portugal, Poland Square Off at Euro Quarter-Finals
The European Championships head into the quarter-final round on Thursday, beginning with Portugal and Poland at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille.
Both teams needed extra time in the Round of 16, with Portugal taking out Croatia 1-0 late in the second half of extra time, and Poland needing penalties to beat Switzerland after drawing 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes. Poland is on the verge of their first trip to the semifinals, having been eliminated in the Group Stages of their previous two Euro Championship appearances.
Portugal has won four and drawn three of their 10 meetings with Poland in the past. Another win would give Portugal a fifth semifinal appearance.
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