Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to give Portugal a 2-1 win over Netherlands and a place in the quarterfinals.
The Dutch took the lead in the first half, when Rafael van der Vaart scored with a beautiful curling shot from outside the area in the 11th minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was criticized for his poor performances in Portugal’s first two games, finally found the form that he was lacking and proved his critics wrong when he equalised for Portugal in the 28th minute, assisted by Portuguese defender Joao Perira.
In the second half, both teams, who needed a win to progress to the next stage, went all out for that quarter final spot, more so Holland, who needed to win by at least two goals.
However Ronaldo dashed all Dutch hopes, with a superb second strike and hit the ball past the Dutch keeper in the 74th minute.
The Dutch, tried desperately to tie the game when Van der Vaart got the best chance, but his right-footed shot hit the post. Portugal who had taken the lead, almost scored their third goal when Ronaldo also hit the post with a powerful shot.
Portugal will compete for a semi-final place against the Czechs in Warsaw on Thursday.
In the other Group B match, a confident Germany side defeated Denmark 2-1,condemning the Danes to elimination.
Germany possessed the ball for most of the time leaving Denmark with rare chances to attack and score.
Lukas Podolski, opened the account for the Germans in the 19th minute, from six yards out after Thomas Muller’s low cross from the right was missed by striker Mario Gomez.
In the 24th minute, Denmark equalized through Michael Krohn-Dehli, who leapt above Mats Hummels to redirect a Nicklas Bendter header into the net from close range.
But it was Lars Bender who came up with a winner in the 80th minute for the Germans.
With this win, Germany emerged as Group leaders and have booked a quarter-final clash against Greece on Friday in Gdansk.
