Euro 2012: Germany 1-0 Portugal - Mario Gomez Strike Seals It

If you were expecting an overload of attacking wizardry from these two exciting teams, you would have been largely underwhelmed. The first 20 minutes were mainly uneventful as both teams started their Euro 2012 campaign slightly nervously. If I had to pick a better team I would go with Germany, purely because they showed more of a willingness around the penalty area with a few nice touches and first time passes. BBC commentary's Mark Lawrenson€™s constant bigging up of each and every German player in the first half seemed unwarranted and slightly un-English, but there was always the feeling that we were waiting for both teams to loosen their shackles and show some of the flair we have become accustom to. It took 15 minutes before we saw €˜the king of step overs€™ produce his footballing catchphrase, it was down the left hand side which was followed by a drilled cross which evaded Postiga and was eventually turned behind for a corner. As the half plodded on Germany did begin to link up nicely, with Schweinsteiger keeping them ticking over and allowing Ozil, Muller and Podolski to pull the few strings Portugal allowed them to have. The Portuguese did defend solidly and put a lot of men behind the ball, possibly showing the Germans too much respect at times. A flourish of half decent shots by the Germans one after the other on 40 minutes ended with a tame effort wide, which summed up a tame first half. On the stroke of half time Portugal won a corner, which fell to centre back Pepe in the middle of the area who, unchallenged, placed a shot on to the crossbar, which bounced down flush on the line, cue appeals from the Portuguese, to no avail. That was the last, and possibly only action to get the pundits at half time talking. To coin a Football Manager phrase€ €œSurely the second half can only get better€. The second half started in a more lively fashion, with Germany having the better of the opening exchanges, but once an early dominance was rode the Portuguese started to have more of the ball, and a lovely ball forward allowed Ronaldo to run with the ball at his feet, forcing Boateng to back pedal into his own box, but the cross from Ronaldo resulted in nothing. The game went back down to its normal lethargic pace, and was largely uneventful until the 71st minute. A lovely right wing cross finally unlocked the stubborn Portuguese door, being met by Mario Gomez with a firm, strong header back across goal that nestled in the back of the net. 1-0 Germany. Portugal would have to put more effort in to attacking now if they wanted anything from this game, but it was Germany who were on the ascendancy and lovely ball by Muller from the right wing again was just out of reach from the on rushing Gomez. The 80th minute saw Ronaldo have a fierce drive at goal after cutting in from the left hand side, which swerved in the air but was dealt with my Neuer in the German goal. This was followed by a number of Portuguese corners which led to Nani€™s shot/cross bounce back of the angle of the crossbar. With the Portuguese realising there was only 10 minutes left they thought they better actually try and get a goal, something they must have wished they had tries earlier, as they actually looked threatening. The best chance possibly falling to the substitute Varela, whose effort from close range was blocked, in a rather unsavoury part of the male anatomy, by the man mountain that is Neuer. The highlight of the closing minutes was Lawro€™s analysis of Portugal€™s centre back Pepe, €œ6 foot 4 and made of jelly€. Well said Lawro, well said.