Portugal v Germany Summary – June 19th, 2021
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Portugal and Germany played out a six-goal thriller in Munich in the group of death at EURO 2020 and it was the home team who emerged victorious despite going behind to an early Cristiano Ronaldo goal.
After losing their opening game to France, the pressure was firmly on Joachim Löw’s men to respond with a win here and it was not looking good early on as Diogo Jota supplied Cristiano Ronaldo to break the deadlock.
It was the Germans who had been dominating possession up until that point and they continued to do so afterwards while it seemed only a matter of time before they would hit back.
On 35 minutes, their pressure paid off as Robin Gosens’ cross was inadvertently deflected in by Man City defender Rúben Dias while Kai Havertz put him under pressure.
Moments later and the Germans were ahead and bizarrely, it came via another own goal – the first time in EURO history that there have been two own goals in a game. This time the cross came from the right via Joshua Kimmich and Raphaël Guerreiro’s attempt to cut it out saw him divert it into the back of the net.
The Portuguese were somewhat shell-shocked going into the half-time break and Germany were in ruthless mood.
They came flying out of the blocks in the second half and found themselves 3-1 up with yet another Gosens cross which Havertz tapped in. On the hour mark, it was four with Kimmich the provider again and Gosens heading home as Portugal were brutally exposed in wide areas.
Portugal did manage to reduce the arrears with Ronaldo returning the favour by assisting Diogo Jota but the Germans were able to manage the remainder of the game and seal the victory.
That win has put another marker down in an incredibly close Group F and seen Germany leapfrog Portugal and Germany are now in pole position to qualify knowing they face Hungary in the final group game. Portugal will have to regroup quickly ahead of their final game against France if the defending champions want to stay in the tournament.
