Germany Defeats Portugal 3-2 At Euro 2008

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the opening goal and set another with a free-kick as Germany took advantage of Portugal’s defence to claim a 3-2 victory and book their place in the Euro 2008 semi-finals. Nuno Gomes finished from close range to give Portugal hope at the 40th minue, but they failed to defend another Schweinsteiger free-kick and Michael Ballack headed their third. The Bayern Munich winger swept home the opener in the 23rd minute before whipping in two great free-kicks to lay goals on a plate for Miroslav Klose.

Germany will play the winner of Friday’s quarter-final between Croatia and Turkey in the last four, back here in Basle next Wednesday.

After the game Schweinsteiger was pleased to have made amends for his red card against Croatia.

“I didn’t help the team then and I intended to pay them back, and I think I did it,” he said.

“I am delighted that we have won today. It is sensational and we have beaten the best team in the competition, in my eyes.”

Germany skipper Ballack felt his side justified their last-four slot.

“The decisive thing was that we changed something,” he said.

“We were used to playing 4-4-2, but were lacking a bit of creativity, passion and ideas and I think the key today was the way we changed.

“The whole team was more stable and you could see what potential there is in this team.”