Fernando Santos hails Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal boss Fernando Santos has paid tribute to Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo following Thursday night's penalty-shootout victory over Poland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

The two sides could not be separated in 120 minutes of football, but Portugal triumphed 5-3 in the shootout to book their spot in the semi-finals of the competition in France.

Santos has insisted that Portugal "were the best team in a very difficult match" and picked out both Pepe and Ronaldo as star performers against the Poles.

"We were the best team in a very difficult match. We must congratulate the players. Some ended up with cramp after two lots of extra time in succession," Santos told reporters.

"I'm confident that what our country has always dreamed of can become a reality.I don't like to focus on individual players, but Pepe and Cristiano had amazing games. Cristiano is usually measured by goals, but he gives us much more than that."

Portugal will face either Belgium or Wales in the semi-finals of the European Championships next week.