Germany defeat Portugal | Still remain favourites

The star studded Portugal team suffered a defeat in the quarter finals to become the first team to be eliminated from the quarter final stage.

Coming back after a one-match suspension, Schweinsteiger had a goal and two assists to send Germany into the semifinals of the European Championships with a 3-2 victory over Portugal on Thursday.

“I think we won against the best team here,” Schweinsteiger said. “It looks like Portugal could be the favorite team to play against.”

The Germans came into the game as underdogs after doing little to justify pretournament billing as the favorite, but handled Cristiano Ronaldo and company with strong, fast-paced soccer that put tremendous pressure on the Portuguese.

Although Germany coach Joachim Loew was in the stands after being suspended by UEFA for getting sent off in the 1-0 win over Austria, his players executed his game plan perfectly: a zone defense coping with some of the flashiest players in Europe, double-marking stars such as Ronaldo and Deco.

“Up to now, we lacked a bit of creativity,” said captain Michael Ballack, who scored the decisive goal on a header off Schweinsteiger’s free kick. “That is why we changed today and that was the key,” Ballack said. “Now, you saw what this team has when it can play freely.”

Four minutes later, Miroslav Klose made it 2-0 after a free kick from Schweinsteiger, rising high and unmarked to score past goalkeeper Ricardo with an attempted header that appeared to glance off his shoulder.

Portugal striker Nuno Gomes made it 2-1 in the 40th, collecting the rebound after Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and scoring after a deflection from Germany defender Christoph Metzelder.

In the 87th minute, Nani moved up the left and swept in a cross that substitute Helder Postiga headed home to give Portugal a little hope, but it was not enough.

“We cannot allow two goals from set pieces against a team like Germany. That made the difference,” Postiga said.


It was not the first time Schweinsteiger got the best of Portugal and Ricardo.

He scored twice from long range when Germany beat Portugal 3-1 in the third-place match at the 2006 World Cup, and did it again against Sporting Lisbon with Bayern Munich.

So, Its now time for Germany to think about their next stage and portuggal to think for the next big venture

Thanks: Yahoo! SportsCopyright Sports today