Germany bounced back in style and overpowered defending champions Portugal in a six-goal thriller in Euro 2020 Group F at the Football Arena in Munich on Saturday.
The Germans came out flying in front on home soil and thought they got rewarded for their powerful start after five minutes.
But Robin Gosens’ goal from a tight angle was flagged offside.
Even though, Germany were dominating it was Portugal who broke the deadlock out of the blue as Christian Ronaldo showed no mercy and tapped home from a counter-attack 10 minutes later.
In spite of Portugal’s opener, Germany remained unimpressed and hit back with great assistance of the Portuguese.
They could not put up resistance in the 35th minute when Ruben Dias cleared Gosens’ dangerous low cross into the wrong goal to level the scores.
Germany were a menace with every attack while Portugal’s defence had their hands full as the game’s clock ticked.
The hosts eventually got rewarded for their efforts as Raphael Guerreiro accidentally diverted Joshua Kimmich’s shot across the goal into the wrong target six minutes before the break.
It could have been a higher advantage for Low’s men, but Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio was on guard twice to deny Gosens and Gnabry.
However, Ruiz Patricio was hapless after the restart.
Germany picked up where they left off and made it 3-1 through Kai Havertz, who tapped in Gosens’ cutback pass from close range in the 51st minute.
Portugal were not able to hold the pace and had to concede another goal after Kimmich’s pinpoint cross to the far post.
It allowed unmarked Gosens to get his name on the scoreboard at the hour mark.
The visitors’ resistance seemed broken, but Fernando Santos’ side halved the deficit out of thin air in the 67th minute.
That was when Ronaldo curled the ball into the path of Diogo Jota, who poked home from very close range.
Portugal sparked to life again but could not do more damage as Renato Sanches thunderstrike to the bar remained only a warning in the closing stages.
“At half-time, I tried to change it, but we ended up conceding the third and fourth goals.
“We reduced it to 4-2, we had a ball against the post, one or two chances, but Germany also created danger. It was a fair victory for Germany,” said Portugal head coach Santos.
“Overall a great performance by my team in spite of our situation. The team showed great will, we created a lot of chances and I think it is a deserved 4-2 victory,” said Germany head coach Low.
With the result, France (four points) remain atop the standings in Group F followed by Germany (three points), Portugal (three points) and Hungary (one point).
With a win over Hungary on Wednesday, Germany can secure their progression while holders Portugal face a tough task with France.
Both Spain and Poland are in danger of failing to qualify for the knockout stage of the European Championships after drawing their second Group E game 1-1 on Saturday.
The result leaves the Spanish with two points from their first two matches and the Poles with just one.
Both sides need to win their last group games to avoid an early exit.
Spain coach Luis Enrique made only one change to the side that drew 0-0 with Sweden, bringing striker Gerard Moreno into the starting 11 and pairing him with the much-criticised Morata.
Meanwhile Poland played a 5-3-2 formation, with Robert Lewandowski the most advanced of their players.
The Polish began looking to take the game to Spain with Mateusz Klich firing just over from distance before Spain began to take control, with Morata’s attempted chip headed clear.
Although the Spanish were gaining terrain as the half progressed, the Poles were keeping their shape and Jordi Alba had to use his pace to stop Lewandowski’s surging run forward.
Spain took the lead with a moment of suspense in the 27th minute when Moreno crossed for Morata to slip the ball past Wojciech Szczesny.
The flag went up for offside, but after being revised by the VAR the goal was given as legal.
Moreno hit a free-kick just wide soon afterwards as Spain continued to dominate, but Poland nearly equalised in the 43rd minute.
This was when Karol Swiderski’s left foot effort bounced off the post to Lewandowski, whose powerful shot was well blocked by Unai Simon.
Lewandowski drew Poland level in the 53rd minute, outjumping Aymeric Laporte to score with a towering header as the defender complained about a push.
But Spain were awarded a penalty kick barely a minute later, when Jakob Moder was penalised for catching Moreno high and late with his studs.
Moreno picked himself up, but sent his penalty kick against the post and the onrushing Morata was unable to direct the rebound into the open goal.
Ferran Torres replaced Dani Olmo and Pablo Sarabia came on for Moreno as Spain continued to look for a win, with Szczesny saving a bouncing effort from Morata.
The Spanish were controlling the ball, but as against Sweden on Monday, they were failing to impose enough rhythm in their play to really trouble the Polish defence.
Two defensive errors from the Poles led to a couple of goalmouth scrambles, with Rodri firing a powerful shot straight at Szczesny.
But unless Spain pick up their game in their opponents’ penalty area they risk crashing out.
