Portugal have taken a 1-0 lead into half-time against Holland in their first knockout match in Nüremburg on Sunday, after a strike from Maniche, but with Portugal reduced to 10-men.

Both teams started strongly, with Holland shading the possession in the opening minutes.

Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben both had half-chances at the start of the match for Holland, with Pauleta having an attempt for Portugal but nothing to test either keeper.

Portugal opened the scoring after finally finding their feet in the game in the 23rd minute.

Barcelona’s Deco played the ball in to PSG’s Pauleta, who played the ball onto Maniche in the centre, for him to blast the ball past Edwin van der Sar in the Oranje goal and make it 1-0.

A tearful Ronaldo was substituted in the 34th minute, after suffering an earlier knock in a high-tackle from Holland defender Khalid Boulahrouz, which left him struggling for some time.

Holland were now dominant in possession after the short wave of Portuguese dominance, with shots from Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie going wide of Ricardo’s goal.

A dangerous free-kick for Holland was shot well over the bar as Holland pressed for an equaliser, but on the break Portugal almost doubled their lead when Pauleta turned well in the box, but his shot was parried away by van der Sar.

Costinha was sent-off for Portugal for his second yellow-card in injury-time of the first, after handballing, to leave Portugal with 10-men.

The half finished 1-0, but seeing Holland with the majority of possession and Portugal down to 10-men.

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