Germany’s four goals and unprecedented attacking prowess – everything the DFB team lacked against France was on display in the team’s second group match against Portugal. That the opponent was also eager to help out in the 4:2 (2:1) victory on Saturday (19.06.2021) fitted into the picture of this match.
The DFB team showed right from the start that they wanted to make amends. In terms of personnel, the same team played as against France, but in terms of play, there was a world of difference. Rapidly and with playfulness it went before the Portuguese goal, already after four minutes the ball landed in the net of the Iberians. However, Robin Gosens’ spectacular goal was disallowed because Serge Gnabry was offside when he crossed the ball. No matter, thought the team of German coach Joachim Löw – and simply continued.
Kai Havertz tried it (9th), Toni Kroos tried it (12th), Thomas Müller tried it (13th), yet the Germans were not initially rewarded for their brash style of play. On the contrary. In the 15th minute, Germany was suddenly behind. After their own corner, the German team was countered by Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo and was trailing 0:1 thanks to the Juve star’s goal. It was a goal that came out of nowhere but did not shock Löw’s team.Portugal with two own goalsPortuguese were entrenched at the back. Solutions were needed and Gosens thought: why don’t I try the shooting technique from the fourth minute again?
His superb direct shot from the left side of the penalty area was headed into his own net by Ruben Dias (35th).And just four minutes later, the Portuguese helped out again: After the next strong attack of the DFB team, Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro was in the wrong place at the wrong time and rammed the ball past keeper Rui Patricio, just like Dias. Game turned around, thanks to Portugal. Mats Hummels had scored an own goal against France, and it suited the German selection that this mishap happened to the opponent on this day.
Havertz scores directly after the breakBut that the German selection can do it without assistance, they proved a few minutes after the restart in the second half. After the next exemplary attack, the outstanding Gosens laid the ball off to Kai Havertz, who was allowed to slot in for 3:1 (51.). It was a goal that showed the entire repertoire of the German selection. Passing, positional play, precision – everything that was lacking against France, Müller and Co. presented in abundance against the Portuguese.
The German team then played itself into a frenzy offensively. After a cross from Joshua Kimmich, Gosens was also able to add his name to the list of goalscorers with a header (60th). However, it was by no means the case that everything went smoothly in the German game. The defense remained shaky, and after a free kick Ronaldo was allowed to pass to Jota, who scored to make it 2:4 (67th).Sanches hits the postThe Portuguese team’s big comeback failed to materialize after that, with Renato Sanches hitting the post only once (78th). The German team had now shown enough of its skills and limited itself to maintaining the lead. After such a performance in the first hour, however, no one could blame the DFB team, for whom everything is now possible in Group F again.
