Rio Ferdinand, Ian Wright & more: Twitter reacts to Portugal victory

Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half header helped Portugal secure a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic and move into the semi-finals at Euro 2012.

The 27-year-old was in sparkling form and received plenty of plaudits as his fellow professionals, past and present, were left in awe by the Real Madrid forward.

1min: Former Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris (‏@morriskid) is doing a bit of scouting for England’s potential final opposition: “Let’s see what Portugal has got for us eh”

33mins: After a dour opening period, England legend Gary Lineker ‏(@GaryLineker) is excited by Cristiano Ronaldo’s outrageous attempt: “If Ronaldo was really talented he would have used his left foot for that over-head kick, he said ironically.”

35mins: Former Leeds United defender Chris Kamara (‏@chris_kammy) is a bit bored: “All a bit quiet at the min Ronaldo not got going yet, but I suppose with so much at stake we should not expect more!!!”

40mins: Former Newcastle United defender Warren Barton (‏@warrenbarton2) lays his cards on the table: “I would like Portugal to win just for Ronaldo. Great player.”

45mins: Ex-Chelsea defender Graeme le Saux ‏(@graemelesaux14) reassures comedian Ricky Gervais who narrowly misses out on winning some cash: “@rickygervais: ‘Oh b*****s. I’ve got money on Ronaldo getting first goal. So close.’ Keep the faith, he’ll get the one and only goal.”

At half-time, a Martin Keown’s description of Ronaldo as NFL basketball star is causing debate, with Tottenham’s Tom Huddlestone (‏@TomHuddlestone6) thinking that type of player is a rare breed: “NFL basketball player?? Anybody else heard or seen one of these?”

Ex-Wimbledon striker John Fashanu (‏@JohnFashanu) is less-than-pleased: “Nice to see the BBC have their best men on the job again. NFL basketball? Highly unlikely.”

50mins: Chelsea midfielder Jody Morris ‏(@morriskid) reckons Petr Cech got a slight touch to deflect Ronaldo’s effort wide: “Great save …think I saw fingertips.. #Chelsea”

52mins: Bolton Wanderers’ Jay Lynch ‏(@JayLynchy) is impressed by the Real Madrid star: “Ronaldo is a joke on this Form! #ClassAct”

58mins: Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic (‏@asmir1) heaps praise on Chelsea’s Cech: “Petr Cech vs Portugal here!”

59mins: Former Wales international Robbie Savage ‏(@RobbieSavage8) wants football to be the real winner: “I hope the Czechs don’t win this, they are shocking, come on Portugal! Is this going to be like Holland v Denmark – hope not!”

60mins: Leicester City’s Paul Gallagher ‏(@Gally_7) reckons it’s only a matter of time: “Portugal cannot lose this! #onewaytraffic”

69mins: Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland ‏(@mattholland8) puts the jinx on a stalemate: “There hasn’t been a 0-0 yet in the competition…….. now I’ve said that it should bring a goal!!!”

77mins: Meanwhile, Arsenal legend Ian Wright ‏(@IanWright0) certainly tempts fate: “Portugal better watch out, it’s got 1-0 to the Czechs written all over it.”

79mins: Liverpool legend Terry McDermott ‏(@TerryMac777) is well placed to judge the greatest of all time as Ronaldo gets his goal: “Cristiano Ronaldo comes up trumps again. He has to be one of the greatest of all time now in my opinion.”

79mins: Former Sunderland midfielder Michael Gray ‏(@mickygray33) considers Ronaldo a unique talent: “You think you have him locked down and POW!!!!!!!! Here comes Ronaldo.. #special”

90mins: BBC presenter Dan Walker ‏(@danwalkerbbc) is rather underwhelmed by another striker’s performance: “By the way… can anyone name a more ineffectual international frontman than Milan Baros? Think he last touched the ball in 2009!”

90mins: England bowler Monty Panesar ‏(@Montyp713) hails Ronaldo: “Ronaldo is doing what Robin Van Persie does for Arsenal, one man team #ronaldo”

90mins: Steve Claridge ‏(@ClaridgeSteve) is impressed by English referee Howard Webb’s display: “Love the way Howard Webb just looked at the Portgual player as he was rolling around, put hand up and went ‘steady’, as if 2 say don’t take the p**s!

90mins: Ex-Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock ‏(@RealRazor) is in agreement: “Well done Howard Webb good decision there.”

Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba ‏(@fmuamba) praises Ronaldo: “Ronaldo big game player, once again his deliver when the team needed him. Match winner.”

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand (‏@rioferdy5) believes Portugal can go all the way: “@Cristiano and his Portugal team are a threat to all teams left in the Euros….him and Nani are too unpredictable to bet against! #dubs”

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Read more on: cristiano ronaldo, czech republic, Euro 2012, petr cech, portugal, rio ferdinand.