What a game! Two teams going the distance. Germany favored at the beginning of the tournament. Portugal slightly favored after the group stage. But Germany did not let me down. The first goal was scored by Bastian Schweinsteiger after Klose and Ballack exchanged some beautiful passes to leave it at Lukas Podolski’s capable feet. Podolski ran the ball up the left side with great speed and crossed it into the the six yard box where Schweinsteiger was making his run. Well executed. For sure one of the best goals of the entire tournament so far.
Four minutes later Schweinsteiger takes a free kick and what do you know, Klose is back! What a great header! We now have a 2-0 lead.
Ronaldo found himself behind Klose. Gomes for Portugal scored with five minutes before half to make it interesting. But the second half Ballack gave us something to hope for. In the sixty-first minute, from almost the exactly same place where he took his free kick in the first half, Schweinsteiger takes another. But before he does he changes his boots and the commentator makes a comment as to whether this will make any difference. And YES, it did! What a great ball in, and Ballack in perfect position was there to head the ball past Ricardo for a 3-1 lead in the game.
Portugal scored late in the game (eighty-seventh minute) but it was too late to begin a comeback and Germany celebrates a terrific win. Well played.
Paul Morgun said,
June 19, 2008 at 9:44 pm
great game!