A Mario Gomez cushioned header gave Germany their hard-fought 1-0 win, but Portugal hit the woodwork twice.
A Mario Gomez cushioned header gave Germany their hard-fought 1-0 win, but Portugal hit the woodwork twice.
The Germans are among the favourites for the tournament after a 100 per cent record in qualifying and it was practically a home atmosphere, as so many crossed the border into Poland. Lazio” data-scaytid=”2″>Lazio veteran Miroslav Klose turns 34 today, but was on the bench due to a slight ankle problem. Germany knocked Portugal out of the quarter-finals in the last Euros and focused mainly on talent Cristiano Ronaldo and Genoa midfielder Miguel Veloso.
Earlier this evening there was a huge shock in Group B, as Denmark beat Holland 1-0. It was a cagey start to this game and Cristiano Ronaldo’s step-overs did not prevent Jerome Boateng from closing down his cross-shot.
Germany did get the ball in the net, but long after the referee had already awarded them a free kick on the edge of the box.
Thomas Muller fired well wide across the face of goal with the inside of his right boot from a very promising position.
Portugal thought they had taken the lead in the final minute of the first half from a corner, as Pepe’s shot hit the underside of the bar, bounced on the line and back out. Replays show it did not go over the line, though.
Joachim Low’s side came tearing out for the second half and immediately had a series of shots charged down in the same move. At the other end, Cristiano Ronaldo went on a strong run and Mats Hummels struggled to clear the cross over the bar.
Mario Gomez nodded well over from a Lukas Podolski cross, then Boateng rushed back to get the block as Ronaldo was pulling the trigger from inside the box.
The deadlock in this match was finally broken by Gomez, who leaned back for a cushioned header into the far bottom corner from the deflected cross.
Portugal had to attack now, allowing Germany to threaten on the break with Gomez just unable to get on the end of a Muller assist across the face of goal. Birthday boy Klose was given the final 10 minutes to shine.
Manuel Neuer had his gloves stung by a fierce Cristiano Ronaldo snapshot, then a Nani cross-shot dipped over the goalkeeper on to the top of the crossbar.
The Portuguese fans thought they must equalise at the 88th minute, but Neuer did brilliantly to rush off his line and parry from Silvestre Varela with his legs from an inspired Nelson Oliveira pass. In stoppages Holger Badstuber used his body to charge down a Nani strike from 12 yards, the resulting corner nodded over by Bruno Alves.
Germany 1-0 Portugal
Scorers: Gomez 73 (G)
Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; T Muller (Bender 94), Ozil (Kroos 87), Podolski; Gomez (Klose 80)
Portugal: Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Fabio Coentrao; Raul Meireles (Varela 80), Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho; Nani, Helder Postiga (Nelson Oliveira 70), Cristiano Ronaldo
Ref: Lannoy (Fra)