England's quarterfinal game against Portugal was played in Gelsenkirchen at 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. local time. England once again started with a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Wayne Rooney isolated up front, Owen Hargreaves playing in the holding role replacing Michael Carrick, and a fully fit Gary Neville returning into the right - back position leaving Jamie Carrager on the bench.

Portugal were missing one of their star players, Deco, who received one of the four red cards given out in the Portugal v Holland game. There were also fifteen yellow cards given out in Nuremburg last week. A rumour was circulating that Cristiano Ronaldo would miss the game because he had to miss training due to a thigh injury. But on the Friday prior to the game he passed the fitness test, which meant that he would face the very anxious England team.

As the game started, England and Portugal both appeared menacing, with both teams creating chances. Once again England were unable to finish it off and with Wayne Rooney up front on his own it was even harder for England to score. Portugal were also creating chances with Cristiano Ronaldo creating some strong attacking runs and Luis Figo running into spaces and looking threatening.

David Beckham once again had a quiet game, providing little for his team by not taking on people, nor creating any runs or chances. This was unlike the Portuguese captain, Luis Figo, who played a true captain's role.

In the stadium the English fans were lifting the roof with their singing and chanting, but their rousing calls did little to inspire a lagging England team.

As England came out for the second half with the score still at 0-0, everyone was getting anxious as Portugal were looking stronger and stronger. David Beckham then picked up an injury to his ankle and was replaced by Aaron Lennon. Many English fans weren't disappointed, as David Beckham was not playing anywhere near his best. While Aaron Lennon was terrorising the Portugal defence with his blistering runs, causing the European team to resort to cheap tricks, tripping the midfielder, which the referee didn't consider warranted a free kick.

Meanwhile, an isolated Wayne Rooney became more antagonised by his lack of ball possession, causing the striker to become embroiled in a tussle with two Portuguese players at the half way line after a failed tackle. As one of them fell to the floor, Rooney was seen to furiously stomp on the groin of the player, with the referee just feet away. A foul was given, but a dishonourable Cristiano Ronaldo ran towards the referee, persuading the official to issue Rooney with his marching orders. A red mist fell over the England fans as they watched the supposed saviour of English football make his way off the German pitch. The anger towards Cristiano Ronaldo was palpable.

England were now down to ten men. As the red mist from the England fans seeped onto the pitch it filled the lungs of the England players, causing a fire to ignite inside the team. They looked surprisingly stronger against the Portuguese side and were now creating chances and looked promising. However, England still couldn't break the deadlock and the fans became very nervous knowing that if it went to penalties we would most probably lose. Memories of past tournaments entered the minds of the fans. Recollections of Euro2004 when Ricardo (the Portuguese goalkeeper) scored against David James could be seen on faces across the stadium.

As England were approaching extra time it seemed more and more likely the pain of English penalties would materialise. The match went into extra time and England were still unable to finish any of the chances they created. Peter Crouch played well up front while Owen Hargreaves silenced his critics by running his heart out all over the pitch. Aaron Lennon, John Terry and Frank Lampard all failed to take chances provided, and it was once again down to penalties with the score 0-0 after extra time.

The dreaded penalty shootout arrived, much to the dismay of England. With a long and dire history of spot kicks, it looked likely this match would be handed to Portugal. Frank Lampard was the first to step up and take a penalty, which was unfortunately saved by Ricardo. The Portuguese penalty put Lampard's to shame as it sailed past Paul Robinon. It seemed today that history would repeat itself. Owen Hargreaves was the second Englishman to take the spot kick. Roars across the stadium could be heard as it hit the back of the net. Paul Robinson then redeemed himself by saving a penalty, bringing the score to 1-1. Steven Gerrard stepped up for his attempt, but the Portuguese Ricardo comfortably saved it.

Jamie Carragher, who had been brought on at the end of extra time, stepped up and fired the ball past Ricardo. Maybe this was the end of England's curse. The referee blew his whistle and disallowed the goal. Carragher missed his second attempt, causing a wave of agony across the English fans. It was now down to Cristiano Ronaldo to put Portugal through. England's hopes of this being their tournament were dashed as Ronaldo scored past a weary Robinson. Portugal were through to the semi-finals and a defeated England were forced to return home, licking their wounds from another international tournament attempt, thwarted by penalties. Sven Goran Eriksson's reign was over, with his last game mired by a red card and a failed penalty shootout.

In my opinion, England deserved the win more than Portugal. They seemed stronger overall and played a cleaner game of football compared to the diving and dirty tricks employed by Portugal.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my reports. Hopefully England can get further in the next World Cup hosted by South Africa in 2010.

By: Sam Chapman

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