Portugal Euro 2012 Team Player In Action Against Spain 1

Portugal Euro 2012 Semi-final Against Spain Photo Gallery

Goalkeepers

Beto

Eduardo

Rui Patrício

Defenders:

Bruno Alves

Fábio Coentrão

Joao Pereira

Pepe

Nélson

Ricardo Costa

Rolando

Portugal Team Players Against Spain In First Semi Final Look | Portugal Team Players Against Spain Photo Gallery | Portugal Team Players Against Spain Videos

Portugal Team Players Against Spain In First Semi Final Look

Portugal may have begun with a loss to Germany but, propelled by the inspirational Cristiano Ronaldo, look in great shape going into their third EURO semi-final in four attempts.

When Portugal arrived at their Poland training camp three weeks ago, expectation was relatively low. Without a win in three games in 2012, scoring just once in the process, they faced a tough group stage against fancied Germany, not to mention the Netherlands and Denmark. Now in a third UEFA European Championship semi-final in four attempts, there is growing belief that Paulo Bento's side can go one better than their 2004 showpiece defeat on home soil and snare a first major international trophy.

Tactics: Bento has taken stability to a new level, selecting the same starting XI in all four matches – incidentally, an identical XI to the one that played both legs of the qualifying play-off with Bosnia and Herzegovina last November. Though there will be no seventh successive game unchanged due to Hélder Postiga's thigh injury, the 4-3-3 will remain, with a central striker – most probably Hugo Almeida – flanked by Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo. "We won't change for anyone," said Bento last week.

Key man: Ronaldo has met his reputation as the tournament's highest profile player with gusto, making the difference with both goals against the Dutch and the decisive strike in the quarter-final against the Czech Republic. "He's a very complete player," said team-mate João Moutinho. "I don't think I could highlight any weak points. He's great with his head, his feet, and he's very fast." Ronaldo's partnership on the left with Real Madrid CF colleague Fábio Coentrão has been hugely important for Portugal.

EURO semi-final record:

23/06/1984 France 3-2 Portugal (aet) (Marseille)

28/06/2000 France 2-1 Portugal (gg) (Brussels)

30/06/2004 Portugal 2-1 Netherlands (Lisbon)

Euro 2012 Down To Final 4 Teams

Portugal superfans headed to Ukraine

Euro 2012 | Euro 2012 Quarter Final | Spain Through After Beating France

  Euro 2012

 Euro 2012

 Euro 2012

 Euro 2012

Defending champions Spain have knocked out France to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2012.

Xabi Alonso scored both goals in his 100th international appearance during an uneventful 2-0 win in Donetsk.

For the opener, left-back Jordi Alba got in behind the French defence to deliver a cross to the back post, which fast-arriving Alonso headed past goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

The goal was a highlight of a cagey first half, largely dominated by Spain, who began with the no-striker formation they adopted against Italy in the group stage.

Cesc Fabregas had an early penalty appeal rejected while Yohan Cabaye had France's best chance of the half - his long-range free-kick being tipped round the post by Iker Casillas.

Matheiu Debuchy headed over on 60 minutes before as France searched for an equaliser - Franck Ribery going close at Casillas' near post.

But France failed to break through a robust Spanish side and in the final minutes their misery was compounded as Pedro was brought down in the box, providing Alonso with his second goal as he converted the penalty.

Spain go through to face Portugal in the same stadium in Donetsk on Wednesday for a place in Sunday's final.