Ricardo saves put Portugal through

GELSENKIRCHEN, July 1 (Reuters) Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo saved three penalties to give his side a 3-1 penalty shootout win over England in the World Cup quarter-final today after a goalless 120 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning penalty after Ricardo saved penalties from England midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard and substitute Jamie Carragher.

Ricardo is the first goalkeeper to save three penalties in a World Cup finals shootout. Portugal now play the winners of the Brazil-France game in the semi-final.

England were forced to play the final half hour of normal time and the whole of extra time with 10 men after striker Wayne Rooney was sent off for stamping.

Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari paid tribute to the way England responded to the loss of Rooney.

"Congratulations to England, with 10 players they were incredible, it was an electrifying match," he told reporters.

"We didn't take advantage because we shot too much from outside the penalty area. England closed the way to goal very well and it was like playing 11 against 11." England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, who now steps down from his role after 5 1/2 years in charge, said defeat was an injustice.

"We are out of the tourament and that hurts. I don't think we deserved to lose," he said.

"We did very well. In the second half we started to control the game like we hoped to do. I think we held up very well." On being knocked out on penalties, the Swede added: "Losing once again on penalties, I'm really sorry about that.

"We practice penalties so much so I don't know what more you can do about that." ROONEY DRAMA After a closesly-contested first half, the drama sparked after 62 minutes when Rooney, only back from a broken foot at these finals and seen as key to their World Cup hopes was red-carded.

Involved in a tussle for possession, Rooney stamped on the groin of defender Ricardo Carvalho virtually in front of Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo.

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