Jose Couceiro’s men were hoping to salvage some pride after crashing out of the tournament at the group phase, but it was the Italians who held their nerve to send Portugal home ruing another below par showing at this level.

“We showed quality but to end like this is disappointing” - Veloso

Given the quality of the two sides, the match was a letdown. Portugal had the better chances in a largely uneventful first half, with Manuel Fernandes’ cross headed over by Vaz Te, before Silvestre Varela cut in from the left and narrowly missed the far corner with a superbly struck shot.

Ribeiro blocks Italians

Italian striker Giuseppe Rossi came closest for the Azzurri, weaving his way through the Portuguese defence before having the ball taken off his foot by fellow striker Giampaolo Pazzini, but Paulo Ribeiro made the block to keep the scores level going into the break.

Nani flashed a shot wide in the opening minute of the second half, before Ribeiro was again called into action to deny Montolivo after some good football from the Italians. However, the game failed to spark into life and extra time became inevitable.

Portugal were given a major advantage going into extra time, as Italy striker Rossi was harshly sent off for a second yellow card following his reaction to a foul given against him. It was one of seven bookings handed out by the overly fussy French referee Stephane Lannoy.

Portugal generally dominated extra time, but could not find the decisive goal, with Nani shooting wide from 20 metres after a Moutinho layoff before Moutinho himself headed against Criscito from close range.

Wasteful Djalo

Substitute Yannick Djalo should have scored a winner for his side five minutes before the end, but he blazed over when given a clear sight of goal following a mix-up in the Italian defence.

Penalties it was and Portugal took first, scoring through Moutinho, before Pelle did the same for the Italians with an audacious chip straight down the centre. Nani coolly put the Portuguese back in front and Montolivo made it 2-2, before Fernandes saw his poorly struck penalty saved by Viviano and Criscito gave the Italians the advantage.

Miguel Veloso scored Portugal’s fourth penalty but Palladino kept up the Italians’ 100% record when he powered the ball into the top corner. It all meant that Antunes had to score to keep Portugal in the shootout, but the Pacos de Ferreira man dragged his effort wide of the right post.

Portugal:
Ribeiro, Pereira (Djalo, 106), Antunes, da Costa (Rolando, 85), Semedo, Veloso, Fernandes, Moutinho, Nani, Varela, Vaz Te (Moreira, 70)
Yellow Cards: da Costa (49) Fernandes (111) Moutinho (120)

Italy:
Viviano, Andreolli, Chiellini, Criscito, Nocerino, Motta, Montolivo, Aquilani, Rosina (Palladino, 61), Pazzini (Pelle, 55), Rossi
Yellow Cards: Rossi (29, 74), Aquilani (75) Chiellini (85)
Red Cards: Rossi (74)

Penalty shootout:
[1-0] Moutinho scored
[1-1] Pelle scored
[2-1] Nani scored
[2-2] Montolivo scored
[2-2] Fernandes missed
[2-3] Criscito scored
[3-3] Veloso scored
[3-4] Palladino scored
[3-4] Antunes missed