Ronaldo puts Portugal into Euro 2012 semifinals

Cristiano Ronaldo and his finely coiffed head of hair knocked in the only goal Thursday, sending Portugal into the European Championship semifinals with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic.

After Ronaldo twice hit the post, he finally darted in from behind his marker in the 79th minute with all the instincts of an all out striker and headed a cross from Joao Moutinho straight at the ground and up past the flailing hands of Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech.

It rewarded his country for the relentless pressure throughout the match and Ronaldo with a third goal in two matches.

Portugal, which will play either Spain or France in the semifinals in Donetsk, Ukraine, next Wednesday, is one game away from reaching its second European Championship final in eight years.

Ronaldo already provided some leadership and two goals to get past the Netherlands in the decisive last group game, and his encore was the lone goal on Thursday.

His strike finally punished the negative tactics of the Czechs, who had parked most of their players in front of Cech for much of the game.