Euro 2012: Counting Down the Men of the Match from Germany vs. Portugal

This is the fourth installment of a tournament-long series in which I pick three men from each team, from each game, that could contend for Man of the Match. The three men from each team will be ranked third, runner-up and Man of the Match, with a Man of the Match picked for the whole game at the end. Happy Euros!

The second game in the "Group of Death" saw Germany—one of the pre-tournament favorites—take on Portugal.

The game started off tense and tight with each team feeling each other out. Each side had early chances, with Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski almost getting goals in the first 15 minutes for Germany, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Helder Postiga creating chances for Portugal. 

The game died down a little bit after the first 20 minutes, with each team still pushing forward. It was very much a back-and-forth contest. 

Portugal woke up in the dying minutes of the opening half when Pepe nailed the bottom of the crossbar after a corner. The ball bounced straight down; there were appeals from Portugal, but replays showed that the ball didn't cross the line. 

The first half ended with the score level at 0-0, and one of the most highly touted group-stage games of the tournament was quickly turning into the most boring so far. 

Both teams started the second half off fast and furious—Germany with a flurry of crosses and shots in the opening minutes and Portugal continuing to make darting runs along the flanks and behind the defense.

The deadlock was finally broken by Mario Gomez in the 72nd minute. Gomez took a deflected Sami Khedira cross right off his head back across the face of goal past Rui Patricio into the back of the net.

1-0 Germany, and the Germans finally had their goal after creating more and better chances throughout the game. 

With about 15 minutes to garner a response, Portugal attacked the German goal over and over. As time was running out, Portugal, in the form of substitute Silvestre Varela, had a golden opportunity to equalize.

Cristiano Ronaldo cut the ball across the face of goal right to a waiting Varela. It looked to be an open net as Varela went to tap the ball into the German net, but Manuel Neuer came up big and smothered it.

The whistle blew, and Germany escaped with three points, leaving Portugal and the Netherlands at the bottom of the Group of Death.

Here are my picks for Germany vs. Portugal Men of the Match. 

Third Place, Germany: Jérôme Boateng

Jérôme Boateng was charged with the task of containing arguably the best player in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo. 

By game's end, advantage: Boateng.

The right-back constantly frustrated CR7 down the flank, culminating in an almost-certain-goal-stopping tackle in the 64th minute. Right as Ronaldo was about to pull the trigger, Boateng came sliding in and blocked the shot. 

Boateng shut Ronaldo out of the match without resorting to dirty play or simulation.

Pure class. 

Runner-Up, Germany: Mats Hummels

Mats Hummels had a quiet but commanding game in the middle of the back line for Germany. 

Even though his name wasn't called by the commentators that often, Hummels denied numerous Portuguese attacks. He headed away corners, snuffed out attacks and generally bossed the defensive third for Germany. 

Expect Mats Hummels to be on the back line for Germany for a long time. 

Man of the Match, Germany: Mario Gomez

Mario Gomez is one of the best pure strikers in the game.

Andy Carroll could do well to take a few notes.

Gomez's header into the far side of the goal past Rui Patrício was the goal that saw Germany take three points away from Portugal with a little more than 15 minutes to go in the Group of Death matchup. 

It's obvious he's been studying under fellow hitman Miroslav Klose. 

Third Place, Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo

Another major tournament. Another disappointing showing by Cristiano Ronaldo.

What's new?

When will CR7 lead Portugal to glory?

Ronaldo showed flashes of his skill all game, and really turned it on for the last 15 minutes after Portugal went behind. He was a constant presence on the left side of the pitch, but sparingly got past Jérôme Boateng. 

Hopefully, Ronaldo—and the rest of Portugal—will pick up their games and play a full 90 minutes the way they played the last 15. 

Runner-Up, Portugal: Nani

Nani was Ronaldo's counterpart on the other side of the pitch, and played marginally better.

Nani made more runs along the flank and produced more quality crosses than his slightly more famous teammate, and it was this creation of more opportunities—coupled with the fact that Nani played well all game—that gets Nani second place. 

Man of the Match, Portugal: Pepe

Pepe had a solid game in the back line, and almost got Portugal the lead right before halftime after his shot hammered off the crossbar. 

This was not the controversial Pepe we've seen with Real Madrid. This was a focused, disciplined Pepe that gets the job done. I enjoy this Pepe way more.

He broke up multiple German attacks and was one of the big reasons the scoreline was only 1-0. 

Man of the Match: Mario Gomez

No matter how well Pepe played for Portugal, it was Mario Gomez that got the winner for Germany, sealing three points for the tournament favorites. 

Your Thoughts?

The opening matches for the Group of Death are over, and Germany and Denmark (!) are sitting atop the group. Mario Gomez gets Man of the Match honors for Germany vs. Portugal. 

Who was your Man of the Match? Let me know in the comments section!

Happy Euros!