Germany vs. Portugal: Euro 2012 Live Score, Commentary, Analysis and Recap
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Euro 2012 Group B—Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine.
GERMANY 1-0 PORTUGAL (Full Time)
Goals: Gomez (Germany) 72'
Lineups
Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger; Muller (Bender), Ozil (Kroos), Podolski; Gomez (Klose)
Portugal: Rui Patrício; Joao Pereira, Alves, Pepe, Coentrao; Veloso, Moutinho, Meireles (Varela); Nani, Postiga (Oliveira), Ronaldo
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That's it for the live text commentary for today, it's been a great four or five hours of European Championships football today and I hope you've enjoyed it.
We'll be back tomorrow—and for the rest of the tournament—with live games from the next group, featuring the likes of Spain and Ireland.
Thanks for joining me today for the Group B games—see you again soon!
Portugal, we should remember, hit the woodwork twice; firstly though Pepe at the end of the first half and then Nani with his cross near the end of the game.
Holger Badstuber's fantastic block and Manuel Neuer's save also go down as points-winning moments for the Germans.
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Well it's been an interesting day of clashes of styles in Group B of Euro 2012, and we've ended up with two teams tied on three points.
Portugal and Netherlands, however, have it all to do.
Germany have won this game thanks to a Mario Gomez header less than 20 minutes from time.
FULL TIME IN LVIV
GERMANY 1 PORTUGAL 0
93'—Bruno Alves gets up to head the ball from the corner—but he sends the ball over the bar.
Schweinsteiger thumps to the ground in the aftermath of that header as he was caught by the Portuguese defender.
Germany late sub: Lars Bender on for Thomas Muller.
92'—GREAT BLOCK! Ronaldo cuts the ball back for Nani and his shot from close range is heading towards goal, but Badstuber makes a great block in the six yard box. Corner and last chance for Portugal.
92'—Last throw of the dice for Portugal, who move it wide left to Oliveira, but Hummels is across again and clears.
90'—Germany win the ball back high up the pitch but a moment's hesitation means they lose the chance to counter. Portugal running out of ideas and time.
Three minutes of added time to be played in Lviv.
88'—GOLDEN CHANCE TO EQUALISE. Oliveira does brilliantly to control and cross from the left, and Lahm inexplicably lets the ball run to Varela who has the whole goal to aim at—but Neuer is out quickly and smothers the shot at close quarters.
Great save, but the forward had to make more of that. That could be the last good chance Portugal get.
86'—Germany sub, Toni Kroos on for Mesut Ozil.
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85'—Mats Hummels with more great defending, showing strength and aerial ability to fend off Oliveira and head a cross away to safety.
Five minutes left for Portugal to find an equaliser.
83'—NANI'S MIS-HIT CROSS HITS THE CROSSBAR!! Portugal are just a few inches away from a fortunate equaliser, as Nani's overhit cross floats over Neuer—and bounces off the bar! The keeper knew nothing about that and was relieved to see it bounce clear.
83'—Quick counter attack for Portugal, led by Coentrao, sees the full-back receive the ball back from Ronaldo and shoot at goal. The Germans get men back to make the block and the ball is deflected over the bar.
82'—Germany are looking very solid from set pieces though, and after Hummels gets something on the ball Neuer quickly gets out to pick up the ball.
81'—Ronaldo cuts infield an drills a low shot at Neuer which is swerving all over the place, and the German goalkeeper has to react quickly to scoop it away to safety. Portugal have the ball in the German area though and they win a corner.
Silvestre Varela also came on there, for Portugal, in place of Raul Meireles.
79'—SUBSTITUTION TIME. Mario Gomez is now replaced by Miroslav Klose for Germany, on his 34th birthday.
77'—Now that they are in front, Germany are suddenly playing some much more expansive stuff, partly aided by the bigger spaces in front of the Portugal defence and the sudden lack of heart in a few of those in red.
76'—Very, very close to a second Germany goal. Muller is set away down the right side and he pings over a fine first-time cross along the ground...but Gomez is an inch away from making contact.
75'—What have Portugal got in their locker then? Some very expensive talent out there in the front three for them, but they haven't exactly over-utilised them so far this evening. They need to push forward with more regularity now; perhaps sacrificing a central midfielder for Ricardo Quaresma would free up Ronaldo to play more freely and centrally?
74'—And now, Miroslav Klose has been told to sit down again. Poor him, but great news for Germany.
72'—GOALLLL!!!!! GERMANY 1 PORTUGAL 0 Mario Gomez has scored!! Moments before he might have been substituted, he rises highest in the box an heads home back across the goalkeeper into the far corner. Fantastic header.
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70'—Great run and strength from Muller, but his cross this time is overhit and runs out of play on the far side. Germany ready to make a sub now themselves, with Klose about ready to replace, presumably, Gomez.
68'—Muller fizzes a low cross over from the right again, not the first excellent delivery he has provided, and Rui Patricio does really well to come and collect. Boateng is then booked for pulling back Ronaldo.
Portugal sub: Oliveira on for Postiga
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