Opportunistic Germany overcome Portugal

Germany has become the first team to book its place in the Euro 2008 semi-finals, defeating Portugal 3-2 in an absorbing encounter in Basle.

Despite only showing glimpses of its best football in the group stage, pre-tournament favourites Germany took full advantage of Portugal's defensive frailties, with two goals coming from simple set-pieces. Whilst Portugal will be bitterly disappointed to be going home after such a promising start to its campaign.

Bastian Schweinsteiger got the ball rolling for the Germans after 22 minutes, before Miroslav Klose doubled the advantage five minutes later with his first goal of the tournament. Nuno Gomes gave Portugal a lifeline just before half time, but Michael Ballack made the game safe on the hour as he headed home. Substitute Helder Postiga set up a grandstand finish as he headed past Jens Lehmann with the clock winding down, but the Germans held on.

With manager Joachim Low watching from the stands after his dismissal against Austria, German managerial duties were left to the inexperienced Hans-Dieter Flick to pit his wits against Chelsea-bound Luis Felipe Scolari.

There were three changes to the German side that tackled Austria, with Simon Rolfes and Thomas Hitzlsperger coming in to midfield in place of Clemens Fritz and Torsten Frings, and with Mario Gomez left out, Podolski was switched to partner Klose up front, allowing Schweinsteiger to take his midfield position.

After playing mostly reserves in Portugal's defeat to Switzerland, Scolari unsurprisingly reverted back to his starting XI from the first two group games.

The opening stages were devoid of any clear-cut chances despite some nice passing movement from both sides. The first real chance came on the quarter-hour, as the ever-creative Deco slipped in Simao, but his shot was saved at the near-post by Lehmann.

Portugal made their intentions clear early, attempting to exploit the towering Per Mertesacker and Christian Metzelder for pace by playing around their feet or playing lofted passes over the top. Cristiano Ronaldo was on the end of a clever ball from Nuno Gomes after 20 minutes, but a last-ditch tackle from Arne Friedrich averted the danger.

Jose Bosingwa was a constant threat on the right flank, and his dangerous cross should have reaped rewards after 20 minutes, but Joao Moutinho's indecision cost him, as the ball bounced off his knee and over.

These early misses proved costly as Germany surged ahead after 24 minutes from a wonderfully crafted move.

Philipp Lahm, Michael Ballack and Podolski combined sumptuously down the left flank, and Podolski's low cross was met by the sliding Schweinsteiger who poked the ball past goalkeeper Ricardo.

It was a goal one would expect Portugal to score, such was the fluency of the passing movement and interplay. The goal stunned the Portuguese, and five minutes later they found themselves in a bigger hole as Germany doubled the advantage, this time from the simplest of set-pieces.

After winning a free-kick out wide on the left, Schweinsteiger floated the curled the ball into the centre, where the completely unmarked Miroslav Klose was on hand to nod the ball home.

In the lead-up to the game, Scolari was concerned about the distinct height advantage the Germans have over the Portuguese, but that fails to justify the woeful Portuguese marking, as Klose beat the offside trap to score.

With a two-goal buffer, the Germans sat back for the remainder of the half and invited Portuguese possession. Ronaldo was stung into action, and after a great team move his attempted cross was well cut out by Mertesacker with Nuno Gomes ready to pounce.

But five minutes before the break, Portugal got themselves back into the game, and again, the influential Ronaldo was involved.

After a brilliant first-touch took him past Friedrich, he had his initial shot saved by Lehmann, but the rebound fell to Nuno Gomes, who slid the ball inside the post despite the best efforts of Metzelder on the line.

Portugal enjoyed the better of the play either side of half time, but the side failed to find the incisive pass required to unlock the resolute German defence. Pepe missed the best of the opportunities, as he headed over from close range after Nuno Gomes flicked on a corner at the near post, and the Portuguese were duly punished on the counter-attack as more poor marking led to a third German goal.

On the hour, Schweinsteiger whipped in another free-kick from the left, and this time it was captain Michael Ballack who rose to head the ball past the on-rushing Ricardo, who was caught hopelessly out of position.

Ballack did appear to shove Paulo Ferreira in the build-up, but that doesn't explain Ricardo's positioning. Ricardo looked vulnerable defending set-pieces throughout the entire tournament, and the Germans exploited his weakness to the full.

The Portuguese became desperate after this goal, and Petit, Raul Meireles and the substitute Nani all tried their luck from distance without any luck.

Germany were more than prepared to defend for the last half-hour, but they nearly surged three ahead after a corner was cleared to Podolski, who unleashed a first-time rocket that whistled only inches wide of the post with Ricardo helpless.

But after absorbing much of the Portuguese pressure, the Germans came unstuck again as Portugal gained a lifeline.

After clever footwork on the left side by the lively Nani, he sent in a cross that was headed beyond Lehmann by fellow substitute Helder Postiga.

But time ran out on the Portuguese, despite mounting wave after wave of attack in the closing stages. The Germans now await the winner of the quarter-final between Turkey and Croatia.


Ratings

Portugal
1 - Ricardo - 5 - Poor. Couldn't cope with set-pieces.
2 - Ferreira - 5 - Struggled with Schweinsteiger.
4 - Bosingwa - 7 - Ran tirelessly up and down right flank.
7 - Ronaldo - 7 - Involved in all of Portugal's attacks, but at times wasteful.
8 - Petit - 6 - No significant impact.
10 - Moutinho - 6 - Off injured early.
11 - Simao - 6 - In and out.
15 - Pepe - 6 - Uncomfortable at set-pieces.
16 - Carvalho - 6 - Not at his best.
20 - Deco - 8 - Creative as usual.
21 - Nuno Gomes - 7 - Scored, but otherwise quiet.

(SUB) 6 - Raul Meireles - 6 - Okay.
(SUB) 19 - Nani - 7 - Lively after coming on.
(SUB) 23 - Postiga - 6 - Late goal.

Germany
1 - Lehmann - 6 - Kept well for the most part.
3 - Friedrich - 6 - Tried hard to cope with Ronaldo.
6 - Rolfes - 7 - Tenacious.
7 - Schweinsteiger - 8 - Involved in all 3 goals.
11 - Klose - 7 - Finally scored. Worked hard.
13 - Ballack - 8 - Influential.
15 - Hitzlsperger - 7 - Worked hard.
16 - Lahm - 7 - Defended well.
17 - Mertesacker - 7 - Imperious in the air.
20 - Podolski - 7 - Continued his great form.
21 - Metzelder - 6 - Looked a bit shaky.

(SUB) 2 - Jansen - 6 - No time.
(SUB) 4 - Fritz - 6 - Little time.
(SUB) 18 - Borowski - 6 - Little time.