HomeUEFA EuroGONE DOWN TO THE WIRE

GONE DOWN TO THE WIRE

By Chaitanya Kohli

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Updated on:
103

Portugal are the defending champions in this edition of the European Championships, but they didn’t look like it as they were battered by an inspired German side that proved their naysayers wrong at last.

Portugal raced ahead into an early lead after Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 15th minute, but after that, it was entirely Germany’s show in the Bavarian capital as Die Mannschaft came back from a goal down to register their first win in UEFA Euro 2020.

 

 

FootTheBall takes a look at the match in Munich between Portugal and Germany and analyses what the events in the Bavarian capital mean for the teams in Group F of UEFA Euro 2020.

 

RONALDO BECOMES UEFA EURO 2020’S TOP SCORER

Portugal’s talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo became the all-time top scorer of the European Championships a few days ago after his brace in the match with Hungary, but Patrik Schick pulled clear of the 36-year old player after scoring in the match with Croatia.

 

 

But, once again Ronaldo joined the Czech Republic international atop the scoring charts after opening the scoring in Munich in Portugal’s match with Germany. The Juventus forward scored an easy tap-in after Diogo Jota laid an inch-perfect pass for him inside the penalty area.

Earlier Germany had seen a goal being disallowed in the 5th minute after Serge Gnabry was found in an offside position in the build-up to the goal eventually scored by Atalanta’s Robin Gosens.

 

GERMANY GROW INTO THE MATCH

Die Mannschaft once again found themselves trailing in UEFA Euro 2020, but this time they rose to the occasion to give a befitting reply to the Portuguese. Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias scored an own goal in the 35th minute to restore parity in Munich.

 

 

And just four minutes later the Germans were ahead courtesy of another own goal – this time scored by Portuguese left-back Raphael Guerreiro who completed the turnaround in the match.

The Germans then pushed for another goal as the clock ticked by in the first-half and Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry came close to increasing Germany’s lead in first-half stoppage time only for Rui Patricio to pull off a spectacular save to keep the Portuguese in the match as both sets of players headed down the tunnel at the break.

 

DIE MANNSCHAFT FIRE ON ALL CYLINDERS

Chelsea’s 22-year old Kai Havertz made more history as he scored for Germany at the start of the second half to give Germany a two-goal cushion. The midfielder received a pass from Atalanta’s Gosens and drove the ball home from close range to score for Die Mannschaft. 

 

 

And only 9 minutes later the Germans were in the driving seat as they increased their lead through left-wing back Gosens who scored and capped off a brilliant display for his national team by registering a goal and two assists in Munich.

 

JOTA GIVES HOPE TO PORTUGAL

As the scoreline read 4-1, the Portuguese were left to rue the own goals in the first half, but Diogo Jota gave them hope as Ronaldo assisted him this time and the Liverpool player scored a sitter for Portugal.

 

 

Jota’s goal came in the 67th minute and immediately Portugal’s confidence was renewed as they looked to mount a comeback in Munich, but it wasn’t to be as the Germans were too good for the Portuguese.

 

REINVIGORATED GERMANY EARN IMPORTANT WIN

The Germans were criticised by football pundits after their jaded performance in the match with France as they lost their opening game at home, but this was the perfect way to prove all their critics wrong.

 

 

An all-round dominant performance by Joachim Low’s charges saw Germany earn a deserving win in Group F as they climbed to second place just a point behind world champions France.

 

 

The Germans face minnows Hungary in their last group stage match, while the Portuguese face a daunting task as now they will travel to Hungary to face France.

Chaitanya Kohli

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