June 20, (THEWILL)- European record-breaking goal-machine Cristiano Ronaldo put some gloss on his new record as the leading striker in the continent at the Euros 2020 match between Portugal and Germany as he opened the scoring against Joachim Löw’s side.
But the Germans picked up the challenge and having recovered from going behind early, capitalised to lay down a solid marker at the continental competition by putting four past the defending champions in a result that leaves the acclaimed “Group of Death” Group F on a knife-edge going into Wednesday’s last group fixtures.
In Saturday’s match Germany were quickest off the blocks from kickoff. The German wing-backs pushed the attack forward and fed the frontline to go for goal. The most persistent was Robin Gosens, playing next to Toni Kroos from the left. He had the ball in net as early as the fifth minute but the video assistant referee (VAR) struck it out for offside.
It was a harbinger of things to come and it could have been well for Portugal to take it as a warning. The attacking fluidity of the Germans meant that they came at Rui Patricio, in the Portuguese goal, in wave after wave, but were continuously repelled, until a rapid counterattack by Portugal resulted in Ronaldo breaking the deadlock.
The goal only served to harden the resolve of Die Mannschaft to sharpen their finishing which they resumed immediately after going behind. That relentless pressure paid off, producing two own goals inside five crazy minutes late in the first period against Portugal.
The always dependable Rúben Dias, whose capability in defense won him the accolades this last season in the English Premier League with champions Manchester City was first to beat his own keeper with an own goal before Raphaël Guerreiro inadvertently did the same. It left the champions Portugal stunned and it got worse.
In the second half, Chelsea’s striker Kai Havertz made it three with a tap-in and the brilliant Gosens, who had tortured the Portuguese backline all game, was rewarded with a goal that stood this time as he headed in a cross from Joshua Kimmich to take the scoreline to 4-1.
Löw switched up play with changes that allowed Havertz, Ilkay Gundogan and Serge Gnabry to rest with an eye on the final day of matches. Meanwhile, Portugal improved after the hour mark and were able to pull one back through the impressive Diogo Jota of Liverpool.
Although Renato Sanches rattled the post with a stunning strike, the damage was done and all eyes will now be on Wednesday to see how the group will end and who will qualify with France on four points, Portugal and Germany on three each and Hungary on one.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
