By Topsoccersource:

Spain beat Portugal 4-2 in another dramatic penalty shoot-out to book their place in the finals of Euro 2012.

The game ended without any goals after regulation and extra-time after both teams traded great chances in front of goal without success with Iniesta surprisingly being the one guilty of missing the best chance of the game.

The game was a very competitive and feisty affair with both teams generating some high energy and entertaining the crowd with waves of attack at both ends of the field although Spain actually looked the better team during extra-time.

Nevertheless, Portugal’s list of penalty takers and the order in which they came must now be the major talking point in Portugal with Cristiano still yet to step up for his kick apparently not realizing that, with the score at 3-2 in Spain’s favour, the game would have been lost if Bruno Alves – slotted in for their PK #3 – missed his spot kick and Spain scored after.

Going for glory…?

I can understand the initial thought of Cristiano Ronaldo stepping up for the final kick – the so-called ‘Glory shot’ – in case it would be the decisive shot but that applies only if the score reflects that potential position.

Instead, not being slotted in the top three to step up to the plate, we have the best player in world (or at least second best) out of the tournament without being a factor in the decision-making ‘final event’ for his team.

Personally, I think the coach must take the brunt of the blame for this fiasco but many will think that – and rightly so – Cristiano Ronaldo should not be forgiven too easily for allowing such a blatant blunder to go unchallenged in the moment of truth.