Robin Gosens and Kai Havertz created havoc against Portugal on Saturday as Germany beat Fernando Santos’ side 4-2 in their Group F Euro 2020 game, with help from two own goals.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota both scored for Portugal but own goals from Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro as well as strikes from Gosens and Havertz ensured Germany left with the three points.
Germany got off to what appeared to be a dream start when Gosens scored from the near post after just five minutes.
However, a VAR review showed that Serge Gnabry had been offisde in the build-up and the goal was disallowed by referee Anthony Taylor.
It felt like it wasn’t going to be Germany’s day when Portugal scored 10 minutes later through record-breaking striker Ronaldo.
Portugal broke on a counterattack after a Germany corner with Jota excellently controlling the ball before crossing it to Ronaldo who tapped it past Manuel Neuer in goal.
The goal brings Ronaldo within two goals of equalling Iran’s Ali Daei’s all-time men’s international scoring record of 109 goals and further extends his record in the European Championships.
Portugal’s lucky tide began to turn after the half-hour mark, however, as they fell to two own goals within four minutes to see Germany take the lead.
The first came on 35 minutes when Gosens put a low hard cross into the box which Havertz and Dias both raced onto. Initially it looked like the Chelsea forward had got his foot to tap it into the net but replays showed the ball had come off Dias.
Germany added to their lead on 39 minutes after putting a number of crosses into the box. The ball was pinging around the penalty area with Havertz and Joshua Kimmich attempting to land it in the net. Guerreiro attempted to clear the ball but instead put it in his own net.
Havertz was able to get his name on the scoresheet officially in the second half after Gosens, who was everywhere for Germany, put a low cross into the box that Havertz tapped in.
Germany had the game wrapped up after an hour when Kimmich launched another corner into the box. Both Havertz and Gosens rose to meet it but it was the latter who got his head to the ball and put it past Rui Patricio.
Ronaldo repaid Jota for his earlier assist on 67 minutes. Portugal were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty box which was flicked on and looked like it was going to go wide.
However, Ronaldo managed to keep it in and flashed it across the face of goal where Jota was waiting to point it into the net.
France lead Group F with four points after drawing 1-1 with Hungary earlier in the day. Both Germany and Portugal are on three points with the former ahead in second place on goal difference.
Follow us on:
