CRISTIANO Ronaldo scored his third goal in two games as Portugal booked their place in the Euro 2012 semi-finals by beating the Czech Republic 1-0.

The Real Madrid forward, who scored twice against the Netherlands, had twice hit the woodwork in each half and seen his side have a goal chalked out for offside before he arrived on cue in the six-yard box to head in Joao Moutinho’s cross on 79 minutes.

The Czechs, who overcame a 4-1 defeat in their opening game against Russia to win Group A, had started brightly, but lacked a decisive move in the final third, failing to muster a shot on target.

Ronaldo was a constant threat and unlucky not to break the deadlock with an overhead kick at the far post.

The former Manchester United forward was then just off target again with an ambitious long-range free-kick.

Portugal continued to press and Ronaldo was within inches of a spectacular opening goal when he collected a high ball into the box on his chest, swivelled around marker Kadlec and crashed the ball past Petr Cech – only for it to strike the base of the near post.

He finally found the net with a little over 10 minutes remaining, thumping a header into the ground and beyond Cech.

Portugal will now face Spain or France for a place in the final.