2110 GMT: THIS LIVE REPORT IS NOW CLOSING after a Ronaldo-inspired Portugal dominated the Czech Republic to win the first Euro 2012 quarter-final match in Warsaw.
Portugal made a tepid start to the match but as the first half drew to a close, Ronaldo was firing on all cylinders in an ominous sign for the Czech side.
The Real Madrid star hit the woodwork twice before finally scoring the game's only goal with a bullet header in the 79th minute and
The goal was Ronaldo's third of the tournament and an indicator the Selecao are coming to the boil after losing their opening match to tournament favourites Germany.
2103 GMT: Portugal will have to reshuffle their starting line-up with Postiga unlikely to feature again and Almeida spurning several glorious chances to break the deadlock.
Will they be able to spurn so many chances against Spain or France? Who should Bento call up to start in place of Postiga?
2056 GMT: The Czechs enjoyed a bright start to the match but their fans will lament the fact they failed to shackle Ronaldo.
Ultimately, they cannot be too disappointed as nobody expected them to reach the last eight after a heavy 4-1 defeat to Russia in their opening match.
They struggled without Rosicky but will be pleased that Selassie has been one of the revelations of the tournament.
2055 GMT: A virtuoso performance from Ronaldo earns Portugal semi-final clash against against either world champions Spain or France.
The Real Madrid star really stamped his mark on this match with what was arguably the performance of the tournament so far.
Portugal will be a real handful for either France or Spain, who will not relish the prospect of facing Ronaldo and co.
2053 GMT: Ronaldo cannot contain his joy after the match.
"We played very well today and created many chances," he tells the BBC.
"We are very happy with the way we played, we expected to reach the semi-finals, but we know the next game is going to be very difficult," he adds.
2044 GMT: "Totally deserved victory for Portugal and Ronaldo undoubtedly the star of the show," says AFP's Barnaby Chesterman.
"Very few surprises in that match really. Czechs played (or rather didn't) as expected, the better team won, the best played stole the limelight. But good performances too from Meireles and Mountinho. But can this bunch beat Spain or France?" he adds.
FULL TIME: The referee blows his whistle and Portugal celebrate reaching the semi-finals.
90 +4 mins: Limbersky collides into Coentrao and could be in trouble as he has already been booked... Webb races towards the crash site, but leniently doesn't brandish another card.
90 +3 mins: The Czechs earn a corner and is summoned Cech forward in a last desperate effort for an equaliser.
Portugal steal possession and charge towards the unguarded Czech goal but Pereira loses possession and the Czech's still have a chance.
90 +1 mins: YELLOW CARD
Limbersky is cautioned after his outstretched leg upends Pereira.
90 mins: The fourth official signals there will be four minutes of stoppage time
88 mins: SUBSTITUTION
Portugal respond to the Czech change and bring on Rolando for Meireles
86 mins: SUBSTITUTION.
Bilek makes a last desperate gamble and throws on Pekhart for Hubschman.
83 mins: Nani causes havoc in the heart of the Czech defence with a mazy run, before cutting the ball back for Pereira who thumps his shot straight at Cech.
80 mins: "No doubts the majority of the fans here are supporting the Czechs and they don't like Ronaldo much," says Barnaby.
"He was heavily booed when his picture came up on the big screen following his goal. Obviously they're all jealous of his wealth, good looks and talent," jokes Barnaby
79 mins:GOAL!
Ronaldo gives Portugal a well-deserved lead as he scores his third goal of this tournament, making him the joint top scorer.
Moutinho charges down the right before crossing the ball back for Ronaldo, who brushes past Seliesse to divert his downward header past Cech
76 mins: Portugal have laid siege on the Czech goal for most of this half, is Bento considering making another change to break the deadlock? Who should he bring on?
74 mins: Nani nearly gives Portugal the lead as Kadlec flings himself in front of the goal-bound shot
72 mins: Pepe brings the ball up from the heart of the defence and feeds Meireles who cannot control his long-range effort from 25 yards out
69 mins:Almeida isnt having a great game and has failed to impress AFP's Barnaby Chesterman.
"I'm not sure but I think Hugo Almeida might be the worst forward I've seen since Stockport County and St Kitts & Nevis legend Kevin Francis," he says..
67 mins: Ronaldo races clear of the Czech defence but his shot is blocked by Kadiec
65 mins:Moutinho whips in the corner for Almeida who rises above his marker but cannot control his header. What a wast by Almeida as another chance goes begging for Portugal
65 mins:A four-minute revival by the Czechs has stung the Portuguese into action and Cech has to be at full-stretch to palm Moutinho's shot over the bar.
64 mins: Baros tries a long-range shot, more in hope than expectation as the ball doesn't trouble Patricio in the Portuguese goalmouth.
That was only their second attempt in the entire match, which tells you something about the dominance enjoyed by Portugal.
What should the Czech's do to redress the balance?
63 mins:The change has given the Czechs an immediate boost and Pilaf gallops into acres of space down the left before crossing from the byline towards the fast-charging Darida, but the muscular Alves hoofs the ball clear. Great counter-attack by the Czechs.
61 mins:The Czechs make their first change as Rezek comes on for Darida as they seek to reassert themselves in this match.
58 mins: Was that a goal? Portugal's Almeida finally puts the ball in the net but is adjudged to have been offside.
57 mins:Stats show that Portugal have now had nine shots on goal...make that ten, as Ronaldo puts his laces through the ball but his shot is diverted away for a corner.
56 mins:The weary Czech defence are really struggling to contain Ronaldo, who takes another pot shot on goal, but it doesn't trouble Cech
54 mins:Ronaldo cuts infield and shows the Czech defence a clean pair of heels as he sprints onto a pass from Meireles and takes aim from the edge of the area, but he pulls his shot over the bar as Selassie was coming across to snuff out the danger.
53 mins: Czech Republic coach Michal Bilek said beforehand his side would play defensively but he's really taken the biscuit, they already appear to be playing for penalties. One-way traffic Ronaldo show but no goals and even less ambition from the Czechs.
52 mins: The Czechs haven't managed to create any chances in this half and its all Portugal. How long will it be before they finally breach the Czech rearguard?
50 mins:The Real Madrid starlet dusts himself down after the challenge and drills his free-kick against the post...Cech was well beaten with that shot and the Czechs are really fortunate they are not a goal down, if not more.
49 mins: Ronaldo is prowling across the pitch with menacing intent and wins a free-kick 25 yards out after a fierce challenge from Hubschman.
48 mins: "Most of that first half was simply unwatchable but predictably it's started turning into the Ronaldo show," says my AFP colleague Barnaby Chesterman.
"An overhead kick, trademark free-kick and a brilliant piece of control and skill before striking an upright. More of the same in the second please (from Ronaldo, not the other 21 players).
46 mins: Portugal storm out the blocks and nearly take the lead as Meireles collects a loose ball and crosses for Almeida who thumps his close-range header over the bar when it would have been easier to hit the target.
The Czech defence went to sleep there as they allowed the substitute to find room in the six-yard box.
SECOND-HALF: The second half gets under way with Ronaldo sporting a new hairstyle.
1940 GMT: Portugal really clicked into gear once Ronaldo came to life in the last 10 minutes of the half.
"He even managed to get a round of applause from a fairly hostile crowd with that overhead bicycle kick that bounced just wide," says Barnaby.
1939 GMT: There seems to be a confident air in Prague where a confident Jan Vasicek says: "We could win 1-0. I'd like (Milan) Baros to score -- I don't know why Czech fans hate him so much, he's doing his job all right."
"(Vladimir) Darida in the starting line-up -- that was quite a surprise. I don't know him too well really. And he hasn't made much of an impression so far."
1938 GMT: Over in Prague, my colleague Jan Flemr tells me that a pub in a historic house near the Old Town Square is packed with fans watching on a large screen.
Some are wearing Czech shirts, a few tables are adorned with Czech flags that are distributed among fans out in the square.
Lukas Chmelik, a young man from Prague, is confident his side will prevail.
"So far so good, we'd just need a bit more effort up front." he says.
"Ronaldo has improved towards the end of the half."
"We'll win 1-0, (Petr) Jiracek will score for us."
1935 GMT: "Odd early tactics from Portugal with centre-halves Pepe and Bruno Alves just lumping aimless long balls forward. They've yet to string two passes together but it's early doors," says AFP's Barnaby Chesterman.
HALF-TIME:The referee blows his whistle to bring the first half to an end
45 + 1 mins: Fantastic play by Ronaldo as he swivels clear of the Czech rearguard with some deft control as he chests down a cross before drilling his shot past Cech..but his shot rattles the post.
43 mins: The Portuguese launch another raid on the Czech half but their attack fizzes out as Pereira loses the ball and fells Libersky in trying to regain possession.
40 mins: SUBSTITUTION
Portugal are forced to make a change as Postiga tweaks his hamstring and collapses on the half-way line.
Almeida comes on for the injured Postiga.
37 mins: Ronaldo is starting to get a grip on this match with his infield runs confusing the Czech rearguard.
The Real Madrid winger cuts inside before feeding Coentrao who has plenty of room down the left but fails to find one of his team-mates with a looping cross.
34 mins:A fine passage of play by Portugal as they apply concerted pressure on the Czech penalty area. The Iberians earn a corner and Ronaldo ghosts past his marker to create room for an extravagant overhead kick which is a whisker wide of the Czech goal.
32 mins:Portugal are beginning to get a foothold in this match and Nani wriggles clear of his marker and is lining up a shot which is blocked by Limbersky..
28 mins: Fantastic chance for the Czech's as Selassie scorches down the right wing before firing in a low cross into the six-yard box..but Pepe is the first to react and clears the danger.
27 mins: YELLOW CARD
Portugal are getting very anxious and Veloso is booked for upending Darida.
26 mins: YELLOW CARD.
Nani is the first player to get his name in the referee's book for a clumsy challenge on Selassie
25 mins: Ronaldo finally clicks into life and charges at the heart of the Czech defence before feeding Coentrao whose venomous shot is blocked, taking all the pace off the ball, enabling Cech to smother the ball
22 mins: Portugal manage to halt another Czech assault and earn a bit of a breather after Pilar clatters into Pereira
21 mins: "I imagine there's a few teams sitting at home watching this at the moment thinking: how did we get knocked out when these two are still in it? Decidedly underwhelming first 20 minutes here," says AFP's Barnaby Chesterman.
20 mins: Best chance of the match, as Darida muscles his way down the right and whips in a delicious cross for Baros who is at full stretch but cannot reach the ball.
Big sigh of relief from the Portuguese fans as they know that any type of contact from Baros and the Czech's would have taken the lead.
19 mins: Over in Lisbon, my colleague Levi Fernandes describes the expectant atmosphere...
"Dozens of supporters, with their green scarves and red colours of Portugal, were installed in the late afternoon sun in Lisbon, at sidewalk cafes and kiosks of the gardens to attend the game.Many cafes, decorated in the colours of the "Selecção" with flags and posters on their fronts, had set up big screens for football aficionados," says Fernandes.
"Cold beer and snails, a snack popular in Portugal this season, are on the menu of traditional cafes. Early in the game, the streets were empty, some stores have closed earlier than usual and many bus drivers were still working the radio playing not to lose any crumb of this game if expected," adds Fernandes.
17 mins: Selassie is causing the Portugal rearguard lots of problems with his lung-busting gallops down the right.
Portugal will have to contain the young full-back if they want to assert themselves in this match.
15 mins: The Czechs have really dominated possession with Selassie managing to nuzzle Ronaldo, who is angrily trudging across the pitch urging his teammates to give him the ball.
12 mins: Portugal earn a corner and the ball falls to Moutinho whose tame shot is gratefully gathered by Cech
10 mins: AFP's Barnaby Chesterman tells me that the first sustained jeers aimed at Ronaldo after he makes a show of his frustration at a team-mate who didn't pass him the ball.
9 mins: Portugal make their first foray into the Czech area but Nani loses possession and fouls Limbersky to end the threat.
7 mins: Czech midfielder Jirácek jinxes his way into the Portugal penalty area but his goal-bound shot is blocked by Veloso.
5 mins: Really quiet start to the match as both sides take a tentative approach to the winner-takes-all contest. Portugal's Ronaldo still hasn't been on the ball which will please the Czech fans.
4 mins:Jirocek tries to spark a Czech counter-attack but mis-hits his pass and Coentrao marshals the ball out of play.
2 mins: A slow start to the match but the Czechs earn the match's first corner which is comfortably cleared by Portugal's Bruno Alves.
KICK-OFF: English referee Howard Webb blows his whistle, and the Czech Republic wearing their tradional red strip get the match under way.
1839 GMT: AFP Twitterers for tonight's match, are:
@barnychesterman
@jwfwarsaw
@ebarranguet
"Lots of Czechs in Warsaw tonight and making themselves heard. Many of them have come on specially-chartered trains. I saw one earlier. The engine was red, white and blue.," says AFP's Phil Hazelwood.
"Portugal fans less in evidence, although one of the statues of mermaids -- the symbol of Warsaw -- does have a Portugal scarf around her neck and a football in one hand" he adds.
1838 GMT: Funny scenes in the stadium where the Portuguese MC is now going mental trying to gee up his team's contingent.
"A love ballad booms out but the giant screen just showed a picture of two decidedly unimpassioned young ladies looking a tad bemused," says Barnaby
1838 GMT: Czech President Vaclav Klaus is not at the stadium, but said "he will be watching the match on TV with his fingers crossed" Hope that reassures the Czech players....
1837 GMT: Over in Prague, AFP's Jan Marchal tells me that the Czechs have not lost the sympathies of their Polish neighbors.
A special train with some Czech fans traveled the 700 km between Prague and Warsaw.
At Zebrzydowice, near the border, a young Polish officer told CTK news agency: "This is a heavy task for your team, the Portuguese are excellent. But you will win on penalties."
1836 GMT: Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech is out for an early warm-up and has managed to get himself into a sort of frog position. Admirable flexibility a yoga guru would be proud of," quips Barnaby.
1835 GMT: My colleague Barnaby Chesterman is pitchside in the National Stadium.
"A jolly Czech folk song has just be played on the big screen here to motivate the fans while the Portuguese went for a hard rock instrumental instead. I wonder if that says something about their respective approaches to the game," he says
1834 GMT: Czech fans will be disappointed to learn that the captain and creative spark Tomas Rosicky has failed to recover enough from an Achilles injury.
The Czech coach Michal Bilek might still call upon the Arsenal midfielder and creative spark as a shock substitute.
Portugal coach Paulo Bento had named the same starting line-up that beat the Netherlands 2-1 to guarantee their place in the quarter-final.
1829 GMT: Here are the line-ups: -
Czech Republic (4-2-3-1):
Petr Cech (capt); Theodor Gebre Selassie, Tomas Sivok, Michal Kadlec, David Limbersky: Jaroslav Plasil, Tomas Hubschman; Petr Jiracek, Vladimir Darida, Vaclav Pilar; Milan Baros
Portugal (4-3-3)Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao; Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Raul Meireles; Nani, Helder Postiga, Cristiano Ronaldo (capt)
Referee: Howard Webb (ENG)
WELCOME TO AFP'S LIVE REPORT on the first Euro 2012 quarter-final match between the Czech Republic and Portugal. The match kicks off in Warsaw at 1845 GMT. Stay with us for all the team news and build up to the match.
