Hosts into last four

Manchester United's new signing Nani could not prevent Holland beating Portugal 2-1 and reaching the semi-finals of the European…

Manchester United's new signing Nani could not prevent Holland beating Portugal 2-1 and reaching the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship.

Nani showed glimpses of the flicks and dribbles fans are expected to see at Old Trafford next season when he arrives from Sporting Lisbon, but he was upstaged as the hosts made it two wins from two in Group A.

Ryan Babel, a reported target for Arsenal, opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after Maceo Rigters was brought down by goalkeeper Paulo Ribeiro in the area.

Rigters then hit the post just before the break at the Euroborg Stadion in Groningen, with Julian Jenner going wide with the rebound.

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Royston Drenthe set up the second, 15 minutes from full-time, with an exciting run down the left before crossing for Rigters to stab home.

Miguel Veloso pulled one back with a delicious free-kick but Portugal, who had their coach Jose Couceiro sent to the stands, could not find and equaliser and were left with one point from two matches in the tournament.

In the other Group A game, Kevin Miralles scored a late winner for Belgium against Israel.

Belgium were reduced to 10 men early on when Marouane Fellaini was sent off after being shown two yellow cards but Israel could not capitalise.

Scottish referee Craig Thomson also showed Anthony Vanden Borre a red card before correcting himself and issuing a yellow instead.