**WARNING**  This post contains opinions that may offend some readers, viewer discretion is advised.

I've been hearing it in my 'comments' section about being honest and admitting I missed one of the games because I was 'out and about'.  So, this morning - Canada Day here in the GWN (Great White North) - the only thing TO do was watch the game so I invited some people over, made some coffee and got set to watch England v Portugal.

Surprisingly - no one I invited showed up.  Perhaps because too many are close to this game and being in an open setting might provoke the kind of disagreements we sometimes see at games.  Since I only have one big-screen HDTV, it is likely too close quarters for some.  Carlos actually called me though and said he needed his own space to watch the game and would pass up the HD experience to watch the game in the comfort of his home.  I completely understand - and in hindsight I was quite thankful.

First off let me say that Portugal are completely deserving of the win.  They were better in the shootout and like our Argentine producer said yesterday when his team went out - when it goes to penalties, you just never know what'll happen.  I will say that if you asked me to pick who would score for England out of Lampard, Gerrard, Hargreaves and Carragher, Hargreaves wouldn't be my first choice - nor would he be my only choice!

To me, the Rooney sending off changed the game - it was THE turning point and will certainly be talked about most when it comes to this game in the coming years.  I thought Hector Elizondo's decision was harsh and Ronaldo coming over to the bench in the aftermath and winking at his teammates didn't endear me to his antics.  He's a Manchester United player but for the sake of the team I almost hope he goes to Real Madrid because Rooney, Neville and Ferdinand will certainly have words for him when United get back underway - I know I would!!

This game truly showed me that when it comes to playing for your country, teammates at the club level means absolutely nothing.

I was truly impressed with how England defended though - surviving wave after wave of Portugal attacks and if Ashley Cole is not the best left-back in the world, I don't know who is.  I also thought Gary Neville was outstanding on the right side - hell, even Rio had a good game!!

My player of the match though was the Calgary-born Owen Hargreaves.  Sure, he told the Canadian Soccer Association to take a hike when they came calling (and who wouldn't if you can also play for England?) but I cannot help feeling a little tinge of pride that a part-time Canuck was the best player on the park for the Three Lions.  He was tenacious, yet controlled and he added to his reputation as a tireless worker - his engine never stopped and I think he may have earned a starting midfield spot when England go 4-5-1.  And like I said above - who would pick him as the only one to score in a PK shootout?  I would like to see the odds William-Hill and the boys were offering on that!

But while I say Portugal deserved to go through, their play over the bit until the Rooney sending off had me screaming at my TV - especially Ronaldo....And I'm a United fan!!  His diving - all the Portuguese diving - was ridiculous.  And Elizondo's failure to punish them for it on repeated occasions had me furious.  I'm not saying England were innocent, but over the entire match Portugal showed why their reputation was well-earned.

Lastly, I'll say this - going into the World Cup, I was hoping to just enjoy some good football.  I wasn't cheering for anyone in particular because Brazil are, well - Brazil so it doesn't matter who's there with them....But over the course of this game, I found myself cheering for England.  When they went down to ten men, I was hoping they'd punish Portugal for their antics and go through to a glorious semifinal vs France - who somehow found a way to beat Brazil!!!  As they defended against the Portuguese attacks - I was cheering as England fought off wave after wave....And strangely, so was my wife who'd seated herself next to me and had gotten into it herself....Then, as they headed to added extra-time, I found myself heading to my closet to pull out my England jersey.

When it went to penalties, I was on the edge on my couch, hands held in prayer right at my face....And as Lampard was saved, I hung my head....When Viana missed, I stood and cheered.....Same when Hargreaves scored - and I even added a few haymakers for effect.....When Petit went wide, I had my hands in the air.....Surely this was it!!  Gerrard won't miss, I told my wife - he's as reliable as the taxman.....He's saved.....Carragher - saved.....And I knew at that moment it was over....I sat back with my hands behind my head and dejectedly said "Ronaldo has the confidence of youth, the swagger - he won't miss" - and he didn't.

And as I watched Portugal celebrate, something strange happened....Like 'The Grinch', I found my heart beating for England, I was genuinely disappointed they'd been bounced - and I was angry when they showed Ronaldo celebrating.  Is this what England deserved?  They showed pictures of England fans - stone-faced and shocked - and when they showed John Terry in tears and Rio Ferdinand inconsolable, I felt my eyes watering up. 

England's "Golden Generation" will get a World Cup goose-egg to put on their shelves - and Sven goes out after stupidly guaranteeing a win.  Doesn't everyone know by now that that only worked once?

So, while I am supposed to be impartial, I must now say I am an England fan - they won me over with this performance and I am gutted they are out of the Finals.  I will read the articles, I will check the opinion pages but it will not ease my pain.

I'm an England fan and now my weekend is ruined!!  Thanks Sven.  Now I have to go and email Carlos to congratulate him....

Portuguese fans reading this - good luck in the semifinals.