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Portugal beats Netherlands 2-1 at Euro 2012

By Associated Press
SHARE Portugal beats Netherlands 2-1 at Euro 2012
Rafael van der Vaart from the Netherlands celebrates after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Rafael van der Vaart from the Netherlands celebrates after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Manu Fernandez, AP
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Portuguese players celebrate the second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 13, 2012.

Portuguese players celebrate the second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 13, 2012.

Armando Franca, Associated Press
2 of 11
A supporter of the Dutch soccer team watches a TV screen on the terrace of a bar as Portugal scores 1-1 in the Group B match Netherlands against Portugal in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sunday, June 17, 2012. The Netherlands needs a two-goal margin win over Po

A supporter of the Dutch soccer team watches a TV screen on the terrace of a bar as Portugal scores 1-1 in the Group B match Netherlands against Portugal in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sunday, June 17, 2012. The Netherlands needs a two-goal margin win over Portugal and a German victory over Denmark to advance.

Peter Dejong, Associated Press
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Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Miguel Veloso celebrate their second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 13, 2012.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Miguel Veloso celebrate their second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 13, 2012.

Armando Franca, Associated Press
4 of 11
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Bruno Alves celebrate their second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Bruno Alves celebrate their second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Matthias Schrader, Associated Press
5 of 11
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Matthias Schrader, Associated Press
6 of 11
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Miguel Veloso celebrate a goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Miguel Veloso celebrate a goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Matthias Schrader, Associated Press
7 of 11
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Armando Franca, Associated Press
8 of 11
Dutch head coach Bert van Marwijk watches his team during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Dutch head coach Bert van Marwijk watches his team during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Matthias Schrader, Associated Press
9 of 11
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)

Geert Vanden Wijngaert, AP
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Netherlands fans are backdropped by a statue of Lenin while standing in the fan zone in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012, ahead of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between the Netherlands and Portugal. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Netherlands fans are backdropped by a statue of Lenin while standing in the fan zone in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012, ahead of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between the Netherlands and Portugal. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Vadim Ghirda, AP
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Rafael van der Vaart from the Netherlands celebrates after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Portuguese players celebrate the second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 13, 2012.
A supporter of the Dutch soccer team watches a TV screen on the terrace of a bar as Portugal scores 1-1 in the Group B match Netherlands against Portugal in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Sunday, June 17, 2012. The Netherlands needs a two-goal margin win over Po
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Miguel Veloso celebrate their second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 13, 2012.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Bruno Alves celebrate their second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, and Miguel Veloso celebrate a goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his second goal during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.
Dutch head coach Bert van Marwijk watches his team during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates after he scored during the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group B match between Portugal and the Netherlands in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Netherlands fans are backdropped by a statue of Lenin while standing in the fan zone in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 17, 2012, ahead of the Euro 2012 soccer championship Group D match between the Netherlands and Portugal. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

KHARKIV, Ukraine — Cristiano Ronaldo finally found the form he was lacking at the European Championship, scoring twice Sunday to give Portugal a 2-1 win over the Netherlands and a spot in the quarterfinals.

The Real Madrid forward failed to sparkle in Portugal's two previous matches but he was devastating against the Dutch. He produced an equalizer with his first goal of the tournament in the 28th minute and scored the winner in the 74th.

Needing a win to have a chance at staying in the tournament, the disappointing Dutch fielded an impressive attacking lineup featuring Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie up front.

Rafael van der Vaart gave the Dutch the lead in the 11th minute, but Portugal then took control of the match.

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