Bento's focus on team effort

A EURO 2012 quarter-final against Czech Republic awaits in Warsaw after Ronaldo scored in each half to send the Dutch home.

The 27-year-old Real Madrid winger was irrepressible as he tormented Netherlands' defence throughout, ensuring Portugal finished the 'group of death' as runner-up.

Ronaldo was criticised for his displays in the opening two games at EURO 2012, but despite having overwhelmed the Dutch, Bento was reluctant to shower him with praise.

"The individual effort of players is not important," Bento said.

"The issue of the effort players show for their clubs and country we have already talked about so much. We have discussed that enough.

"I'm proud of what we've done as a team and satisfied that we achieved our aim brilliantly.

"We have a certain kind of style, identity and ideas. The players put that into practice.

"Today we can talk about brilliance, it was the best game we have played here.

"We have been loyal to our spirit and that's what we're proud of."

Portugal trailed to a fine 11th-minute strike from Rafael van de Vaart, but thereafter it dominated an attacking Dutch side which was over-run in midfield.

"We don't claim to be favourites against the Czech Republic and it won't be easy against them," said Bento.

"They've shown they have the ability to turn a game and now we must continue our work and the quality we have shown so far. Maybe then we can even reach the semi-finals."

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk admitted his big names failed to deliver as the Dutch finished Group B without a single point.

"We played well to make it 1-0, but we made an individual error and Portugal got back into the game. That caused uncertainty in the team," said Van Marwijk.

"The players who usually make a difference for us didn't reach that level.

"Things can change very fast - Ronaldo took a lot of criticism after the first two games here but tonight he was decisive."

Van Marwijk defended his side's performance at EURO 2012, even though one of the pre-tournament favourites finished with three defeats.

"It's the same side as two years ago (when Netherlands reached the World Cup final) apart from a couple of positions. We tried to make the team faster and younger and better," he said.

"I knew it wasn't going to be easy repeating what we did two years ago.

"Everything has to fall into place but that didn't happen from the first game onwards."