Portugal Ousted!
June 20, 2008
Portugal’s Euro 2008 championship aspirations came to a premature end as some would say when they were defeated 3-2 by Germany in the quarter-final stages of the competition. Even with the skillful and dazzling Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal was no match for the Germans who displayed discipline and composure in defense to deny the Portuguese attacking players any space.
It was only a matter of time before the Germans took the lead; having soaked up a considerable amount of pressure, it was the quick and speed Lukas Podolski who provided a superb cross that was met by the incoming Bastian Schweinsteiger, who slotted home to make the score 1-0 and it was game on. It was 2-0 moments later when a spot kick found the head of the ever dominating aerial presence of Miroslav Klose, who was left unmarked by the Portuguese defense that had a catastrophic game.
Never to be outdone, Portugal soon replied and their inspiration would come from non other than Cristiano Ronaldo. Being marshaled by a disciplined German defense, Cristiano Ronaldo seemed subdued, but even though Ronaldo looked a shadow of himself throughout the group stages of Euro 2008, the Manchester United winger who scored 42 goals in all competitions was given the chance to run at a single German defender and he mesmerized him but saw his shot blocked by the German custodian Jens Lehmann.
It was Portugal’s veteran striker and captain Nuno Gomes who knocked the rebound away past Lehmann to make it 2-1 at half time
Luiz Felipe Scholari looked worried and soon after the resumption, his worries were increased when the new Chelsea manager saw the Chelsea midfielder and German captain Michael Ballack head home his country’s third to make the score 3-1 to Germany. The writing was on the wall, Portugal would have to wait another four years to pursue their dream of being European champions.
With only a few minutes plus extra time remaining Portugal was given a life line when some fancy foot work by Nani aided him in evading four German defenders and provided a delicious cross that was met beautifully by Helder Postiga who headed past Lehmann to make the score 3-2.
Panic set in as the Germans allowed Portugal back in the game, as the Portuguese tried relentlessly to get the equalizer who saw all their efforts nullified by the Germans who had all eleven players behind the ball.
The pressure was on as the time added on came to a close, but even without the presence of their coach Joachim Low who was ejected from the bench ; Germany were confident they had done enough to progress to the semi-finals of Euro 2008 where they will play either Croatia or Turkey on June 25.
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Written by Kerron · Filed Under Knockout Stages, Teams
Tagged: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Cristiano Ronaldo, Euro 2008, Germany Euro 2008, Jens Lehmann, knockout stages euro 2008, Luiz Felipe Scholari, Lukas Podolski, Michael Ballack, Miroslav Klose, Portugal Euro 2008
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