it's the end for Portugal in Euro 08. I've stayed up late for this match and was devastated with Portugal's loss. during the 90 minutes game, Luiz Felipe Scolari's team enjoyed a greater possession (61%) and had more shots on Jens Lehmann's goal but was unable to win the game for good.
Germany had chosen to leave Miroslav Klose up front on his own with support coming out wide from his FC Bayern München team-mates Lukas Podolski and Bastian Schweinsteiger. this approach bore fruit when, just two minutes after João Moutinho had missed a chance to put Portugal ahead, Podolski combined with Philipp Lahm and Michael Ballack before crossing for Schweinsteiger (22'), who had drifted in from his position on the right, to sweep the ball past Ricardo.
Ronaldo congratulating Gomes on their first goal
just four minutes later, Germany were cruising when the Portugal defence left Klose (26') totally unmarked to head in a Schweinsteiger free-kick. they were now two goals to the good from their first two efforts on target. Portugal could not keep still and scored a relief goal through Nuno Gomes (40').
Ballack scoring Germany's final goal that destroyed Portugal's hope
Prostiga's late goal for Portugal
by full time, Portugal had enjoyed eight and a half more minutes in possession (33'28" to 25'08") and had double the amount of shots (22 to eleven), statistics attributable to both Germany's defending in numbers and Portugal's inability to penetrate. yet just six of these were on target including Hélder Postiga's (87') late headed goal. Raul Meireles and Ronaldo on the other hand were both wayward with their shooting, each sending three efforts wide or over. Scolari's final match as Portugal coach before taking over at Chelsea FC thus ended in defeat as his team's hard work and endeavour in other areas was undermined 2-3 by Germany's great attack.
taken and edited from Euro 2008 Official Website
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