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This match could go either way, but can't they all? The experience and organisation of Germany winning the big matches will be just enough, er .. I think, to win this the first quarter-final. But don't bet the house on it.
WATCHSOCCER prediction: Germany 2 - 1 Portugal.
The Germans are not afraid to shoot from long range early on, perhaps in an attempt to make the defenders close down quickly and pull the Portuguese defence out of shape. Do Germans think like this? Perhaps they're just trying to score! Portugal's short passing is a little wayward so Deco takes charge and puts Simao through, but he delays the shot and the save's easy.
Schweinsteiger has been Germany's best player in this tournament up to this point, and he's putting left-back Ferreira under pressure. This is unsurprising given that Ferreira is right-footed and out of his usual position.
18' Friedrich's great tackle in the box denies Ronaldo.
20' Best chance of the game so far is wasted as João Moutinho knees the ball instead of hitting it cleanly.
21' GOAL. GERMANY 1 - 0 PORTUGAL. Podolski on the left wing, plays two wall passes to perfection, crosses early and Schweinsteiger, whose diagonal run from the right wing to the left post has lost Ferreira, finishes first time inside the post. Great goal.
26' GOAL. GERMANY 2 - 0 PORTUGAL. Germany's height advantage counts as Schweinsteiger's floating in-swinger free kick finds the shoulder of Klose.
28' Portugal win a corner and every German player is in his own penalty area to defend.
32' Germany's 3-6-1 formation is causing problems for the Portuguese midfielders. German manager Loew seems to have out-thought Portugal (and future Chelsea) boss Scolari.
40' GOAL. GERMANY 2 - 1 PORTUGAL. Portugal and Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo's first touch takes him past the nearest German defender. His shot is well saved by Lehmann though, but the ball falls to Nuno Gomes who keeps cool to fire home.
45' Ballack shoots near post.
45' Ronaldo shoots just wide.
50' Pepe heads over the German bar by ducking away from the ball instead of jumping at it - a great chance wasted.
61' GOAL. GERMANY 3 - 1 PORTUGAL. A second free kick is floated over the Portuguese back line and Ballack fouls Ferreira by pushing him out of the way before heading past Ricardo. UEFA! WHY NOT ALLOW REFEREES TO REVIEW THE VIDEO SCREEN IN THE STADIUM BEFORE MAKING A DECISION? THIS GOAL SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO STAND. WHY MUST REFEREES BE THE ONLY PEOPLE WATCHING THE GAME WHO MUST BE HANDICAPPED BY NOT VIEWING THE VIDEO EVIDENCE? IT'S CLEARLY RIDICULOUS.
Ronaldo takes a free kick but his shot does not dip as it has all season probably because Uefa in its infinite wisdom has yet again milked the commercial cow by introducing a new ball just before the tournament instead of sticking with a ball the players are used to. It's time to eliminate this "mad cow disease" IMHO.
78' Podolski's rocket-shot, hit with the inside of the left foot, yet bending with reverse swing from right to left, whistles past the Portuguese woodwork. This is probably the most powerful shot of the tournament so far. Future opponents beware!
86' GOAL. GERMANY 3 - 2 PORTUGAL. Substitute Postiga heads the ball past Lehmann off a perfect diagonal inswinging cross by substitute Nani. We are just wondering why they had not been introduced to the game earlier when they, with others, play delightful short, onetouch passes on the edge of teh German box. While the Germans appear to be hanging on, a counterattack sees Podolski shoot straight at Ricardo.
Result: GERMANY 3 - 2 PORTUGAL.
WATCHSOCCER Man of the Match: Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER).
