In the end they were just 41 minutes short.
The Czechs, it seems, came into this quarter final with a game plan: penalties.
Many teams play for penalties. England were forced to in 2006 (post-Wooney-wed-card). And that worked out just fine.
But few teams have set their stall out quite as early as Michal Bilek's side did last night. Presumably the coach's pre-match team talk went something like this: "Two hours, boys - that's all. The length of an overly-long rom-com. Or four episodes of Blackadder." - I'm paraphrasing - "Keep Ronaldo out for 120 minutes and we're laughing".
And they would have been. Because CR7 was playing so well that he would definitely have missed his pen. 100%
That's how penalty shoot outs work. The man of the match / star player / talisman always misses. It's the full backs and journeymen that smash their spot kicks home - safe in the knowledge that nobody expects them to score.
So when England-Italy goes to penalties on Sunday, get your money* on Martin Kelly to net the winner.
This video is not about penalties. Or England. It's just really good:
[*do not put ANY actual money on this]
THE STORY SO FAR
Match of the tournament: Sweden 2-3 England
Player of the tournament: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Goal of the tournament: Ibrahimovic (SWEDEN v France)
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