Euro 2012: Group B: Mario Gomez leads Germany to 1-0 win over Portugal

szólj hozzá: Nie - Por 1-0

Group B should see on paper an outpouring of goals. But the Germans were no less profligate than their Dutch counterparts when it came to missing out on scoring opportunities.

They had eleven of them but just when it looked like this would be a long evening for the Germans, Mario Gomez was able to majestically elevate himself at the right time to put away Sami Khedira's deflected cross past Rui Patricio. Excellent goal and with that Joachim Low who was readying Miroslav Klose sat him down.

Cristiano Ronaldo continued his frustratingly underwhelming performances for his country. In some ways he is unique in building up this self created expectancy when he gets the ball that there is a overwhelming sense of deflation when nothing materializes out of it. It maybe because of the body language that follows, hand on his hips, eyes beseeching the heavens above: a conspiracy taking away his ability to score.

The Euro dodged a ghost goal controversy when Pepe's shot hit the crossbar and then appeared to fall on the goal line. The Portugese appealed but replays showed the ball did not break the plane. Germany were also fortunate when Nani's shot clanged off the crossbar in the second half and Manuel Neuer quickly closed down Silvestre Varela after Philipp Lahm's mistake gave the Portugese winger a tantalizing glimpse of an open goal.

Arsenal fans were no doubt checking out Lukas Podolski. The winger had plenty of pace and movement down the left channel. He also had two scoring chances - one was an improvised shot with his left foot which Patricio had no problems dealing with and the other was a skied shot off Mesut Oezil. Even if RVP does not go this summer, Arsenal will be well advised to invest in a frontline striker. Poldi is not what you would call a clinical finisher.