Portugal could win Euro 2016 without winning a game

Incredibly Portugal have reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 without even winning a game in 90 minutes. The Selecao drew 1-1 with Poland in normal-time, with Robert Lewandowski opening the scoring for Poland, before youngster Renato Sanches equalised with a deflected effort.

The game advanced to extra-time where there were no goals and then the lottery of penalty kicks. Portugal triumphed 5-3 in the shoot-out to book a last four meeting with Belgium or Wales.

In truth Portugal have not performed that well in any of their games and it is some feat to draw all five games at the European Championship and make it to the last four. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo endured another frustrating night in front of goal.

His best effort came when he hit the side-netting, but in truth Portugal were unconvincing against a functional Poland side, which rather rely on Lewandowski up front to supply some sort of attacking inspiration.

Portugal’s best player was probably the young goal scorer Renato Sanches, who seemed to show the sort of flair and vision that his side have desperately missed at times in France.

Portugal are still depending too much on Ronaldo bailing them out and he looks to be trying too hard to produce a moment of madness, including taking every free-kick in the opposition half it seems.

Despite not looking like European champions, or even producing a convincing performance it is quite possible that Portugal could win the trophy without winning a single game in Euro 2016. It would not be pretty, but would anybody in the country care if they crowned European champions?