So we’re down to four. The semi-finals are here and after 28 games since the start of the month, we’re finally starting to see the cream of the crop rise to the top.
Undoubtedly, these four teams have been the best in the tournament – there haven’t been any injustices – and we should be treated to two nights of magnificent football, starting with tonight’s game in Donetsk.
It’s Spain v Portugal, or should we say a strikerless team versus Cristiano Ronaldo, up first and I must admit I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
They may be from the same corner of the continent but that’s where the similarities end for these two sides, especially in terms of footballing style.
Spain have mastered the fine art of possession and territorial dominance, while Portugal are masterful counter-attackers with everything running through the second best player in the world.
Teams...
Spain: Casillas, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Alonso; Xavi, Iniesta, Silva; Negredo
Portugal: Patrício; Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Coentrão; Veloso, Moutinho, Meireles; Nani, Ronaldo, Almeida
What must Ronaldo feel like at the moment, knowing the pressure he is under from his entire country? Probably loving it, to be fair.
Will it be death by a thousand passes again as Spain tap it to each other over and over and over until the game is all over? I reckon so, even though I'd like to see Portugal cause an upset.
Anthems over with an we're almost ready to go. Oh, hold it. We've some 'respect' speeches first.
Right, Casillas and Ronaldo have blabbered out a few sentences from cards and they're now shaking hands.
Toss over with and we're finally about to get going. Spain are in red, Portugal in white.
2' - Strong start from Portugal as they win a corner thanks to a deflected Miguel Veloso.
3' - Casillas is forced to punch the kick clear and Raul Meireles takes a second corner which cleared.
4' - Portugal's good start continues as Pique gives away a harsh free-kick.
7' - Spain finally get their feet on the ball and string some passes together but it comes to very little.
9' - First good chance from Alvaro Arbeloa as he blasts over. That's why he's never scored a goal for Spain, I guess.
11' - We're certainly entering into death by a thousand passes mode now.
13' - Just as I say that, Miguel Veloso intercepts and feeds Ronaldo who races clear before centering a lovely cross towards the goalmouth but Casillas is there to claim with Nani arriving in the box.
16' - Ronaldo has a free-kick on the edge of the area following a trip from Arbeloa, bit wide to have a shot for most players but it is Ronaldo so he could well have a go.
17' - He does have a go but it comes right back off the wall.
18' - Portugal have a corner now though, conceded by Pique.
18' - Which comes to nothing.
20' - Ramos drags Nani down and although he goes down easily, it's a foul that the referee ignores.
23' - Portugal have a free now as Coentrao is taken down by Arebloa near halfway. The team in white have been doing very, very well so far. Oh and now Ronaldo just shot over.
26' - Joao Perreira has his cross from the right claimed by Casillas.
29' - Penalty calls from Portugal are waved away after Sergio Ramos controlled the ball before Spain cleared. Portugal say it hit his hand but replays show it hits his chest and accidentally glances his arm and his chin.
29' - Ooh. Andres Iniesta curls one inches over the top right corner from just inside the box.
30' - Strange one from the ref there as he denies Portugal a break forward and calls them back for a free-kick.
31' - And at the other end Ronaldo flashes a low drive just wide of the right post.
35' - Brief rest in play as Nani gets some attention after clashing with Sergio Ramos.
37' - Spain pass it around but it's in a much deeper position than usual. Eventually it's worked to David Silva who tries his best to find Iniesta but the pass is cut out.
38' - Alvaro Negredo has been completely anonymous for Spain so far - surely Torres would have done a better job?
40' - Ramos, like a wall, stands in front of the oncoming Ronaldo and gives away another free before finally being booked.
41' - Ronaldo fouled again, this time by Arbeloa. Bruno Alves wastes the free, though.
43' - Long ball forward catches Pique out and Hugo Almeida is almost at the end of it. The ball, though, had just a bit too much fizz on it and it trickled out for a goal-kick.
45'- Fabio Coentrao is booked.
HALF-TIME: Portugal 0-0 Spain
It might be scoreless but it has been very interesting so far. Portugal are doing very well, stopping Spain from playing their game. Intriguing second half ahead but we need a goal.
So we’re down to four. The semi-finals are here and after 28 games since the start of the month, we’re finally starting to see the cream of the crop rise to the top.
