Portugal - Germany 2:3 (1:2)



Match Number: 	806
Date:		19-June-2008
Location:	Basel, Switzerland
Competition:	Euro 2008 - Quarterfinal


PORTUGAL:
Ricardo
Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe, Jose Bosingwa
Joao Moutinho (31. Raul Meireles), Petit (73. Helder Postiga)
Simao, Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo
Nuno Gomes (67. Nani)

GERMANY:
Lehmann
A. Friedrich, Mertesacker, Metzelder, Lahm
Schweinsteiger (83. Fritz), Rolfes, Ballack, Hitzlsperger (73. Borowski)
Klose (89. Jansen), Podolski

Scoring:
0:1 Schweinsteiger (22.)
0:2 Klose (26.)
1:2 Nuno Gomes (40.)
1:3 Ballack (61.)
2:3 Helder Postiga (87.)

Referee: Peter Fröjdfeldt (Sweden)
Yellow cards: Petit, Pepe, Helder Postiga - A. Friedrich, Lahm

Attendance: 39,374 (sold out)

Germany defeated Portugal 3-2 in the first quarterfinal match. It was clearly an improvement in the performance of the DFB squad, who had been sucking big time since the opener against Poland. (And since the Poles turned out to be crap, even that wasn't much of a job either.) The Portuguese were never really able to gain an advantage with their namby-pamby trickery, and were stunned by a Doppelschlag when Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miro Klose knocked in two quick goals after the 22 minute mark and just a couple minutes later. The favorites were shocked, but to their credit, the Portuguese recovered and launched furious attacks on the German goal, and were rewarded shortly before half, as Nuno Gomes knocked in a rebound. The reds also started the 2nd half brightly, although the German counterattacks became increasingly dangerous. Thus after an hour, a clumsy challenge by Pepe led to a floating free kick, and Michael Ballack headed home. This should have been game/set/match. Once again the Portuguese were stunned, and the Germans had a couple of chances to finish them off and start a rout. But again, the Portuguese recovered and pressed forward. A pinpoint cross by Nani was headed home by Helder Postiga, but with only some 5 minutes left. Germany managed to weather the storm and advances to the semis, where they will face either Turkey or Croatia. The Portuguese go to the beach, except for boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who moves to London to take over Chelski.
Abseits Guide to German Soccer