Holland sensed an escape, encouraged that the Portuguese were struggling to contain them when they sprawled forward. The trouble was their own defence was badly exposed and making errors under pressure. It made for breathtaking entertainment.

Ronaldo rattled a post after cutting inside Ron Vlaar, and Helder Postiga made an ugly mess of a clear chance when clean through thanks to a mistake by Gregory van der Wiel. Raul Meireles lashed a volley into the side-netting and Ronaldo beat Vlaar to a cross from Joao Pereira but directed his header too near Maarten Stekelenburg, who was able to parry.

Here was the problem for Van Marwijk. His adventurous selection left gaping holes and Ronaldo and Nani were smart and mobile enough to exploit them.

Without Van Bommel, Nigel de Jong was over-run. Nani and Ronaldo were barely marked and were rampant.

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