Germany reached the semi final of Euro 2008 after defeating tournament favorite Portugal 3-2 in an entertaining quarter final match tonight at the St. Jakob-Park, Basel in Switzerland. From the very beginning both the sides went for attack and created many chances throughout the match. Bastian Schweinsteiger was the key player for Germany as he opened scoring for Germany and later on set up two more goals to clinch the victory. In the 22nd minute, Schweinsteiger put Germany ahead in the match with a superb finish. Lukas Podolski sent a cross in the box from the left and Schweinsteiger just tapped it into the net leaving Portuguese goal keeper Ricardo unmoved.
Just four minutes after the first goal, Germany doubled their lead thanks to Miroslav Klose. Klose headed a Schweinsteiger free kick to sent the ball past the goal keeper Ricardo. Captain Nuno Gomes decrease the difference by a 40th minute goal. Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot was deflected by German goal keeper Lehmann before falling in the path Nuno Gomes who successfully sent the ball into the net. Both the sides created some other good chances but failed to capitalize on those chances.
In the second half, Portugal looked more attacking. Pepe missed one of the easy chances of Portugal, heading the ball over the bar standing in a mix-up in the box. Then in the 61st minutes, German captain Michael Ballack scored the third goal for Germany that changed the whole situation and to some extent, the goal broke the hearts of the Portuguese players who were in their quest to level the score. Portugal then needed two more goals to level the score in just half an hour time. Before the final whistle in the match, Helder Postiga lit Portugal’s light of hope for the last time by scoring through a header in the 87th minute. However, Germany could hold on their lead and ensured a place in the semi final of Euro 2008. Germany will face the winner of the quarter final match between Croatia and Turkey.
Related article:
International Herald Tribune
No comments:
Post a Comment