Euro 2012 Qualifying Playoffs, Second Legs: Portugal Defeats Bosnia 6-2

Portugal have thrashed Bosnia 6-2 to secure their spot at Euro 2012 in Poland\Ukraine. It was not as straightforward as the scoreline suggests, however, with Bosnia putting up a ferocious resistance and taking advantage of their few opportunities to peg Portugal back and prevent them from building a commanding lead.

After a Ronaldo free-kick and a Nani thunderbolt had given Portugal a comfortable lead, Dzeko struck back with an ice-cool penalty after Coentrao did a silly handball. Then, as Ronaldo made it 3 after rounding Asmir Begovic, Bosnia went down to 10 men after Lalic was dismissed for his behaviour towards the referee.

Bosnia have gotten themselves right back in the game courtesy of a moment of madness from Fabio Coentrao. With the ball flying into the box, in the process of getting bundled over challenging for a header, he thrust his arm into the air. The only reason that could possibly explain it is if he was trying to call for a foul, but while the ball was in the air! Goodness me. Anyway, the ball hits his arm, the referee rightly points to the spot, and Dzeko coolly sends the keeper the wrong way to get Bosnia right back into it.

In truth, it had never looked over - Dzeko went as close as he possibly could by hitting a header off the underside of the bar and onto the goalline, and Portugal’s defence has been shaky to say the least - but it perhaps should be. Portugal got a taste of some old-fashioned ‘boy who cried wolf’ medicine when, after going down very easily the whole game, Helder Postiga was scythed down in the area and was given a yellow card for diving for his troubles. And that, kids, is why you play nicely...

Anyway, if that goal turns out to be the winner, it’s worthy of entrance to this summer’s tournament.