Saturday, 8th July
Hosts Finish on a High Note
 Germany vs  Portugal
in Stuttgart
Previous Encounters:
Portugal beat Germany in the Euro 2000 Group A match (3:0). Otherwise their other recent
encounters have been close affairs.
In qualifying for France 98,
Germany and Portugal drew in Berlin (1:1) and Lisbon (0:0). Germany won the 1996 friendly
in Porto (2:1) and West Germany drew the 1990 friendly in Lisbon (1:1).
In qualifying for Mexico 1986,
West Germany lost to Portugal in Stuttgart (0:1) and Portugal lost to West Germany in
Lisbon (1:2).
The Match:
The Germans are looking at this game as their 'final'; the Klein Finale.
Oliver Kahn had his first real save to make in the fifteenth minute,
from Pedro Pauleta; who didn't really gat any height or power on his shot when he ran into
the area.
Five minutes later, Ricardo tipped over Sebastian Kehl's left-foot
chip, as Germany started to push up more.
A good end-to-end start to this really meaningless game, with
Cristiano Ronaldo still getting plenty of boos from the crowd.
Again Ricardo made a good block from Lukas Podolski's powerful drive,
from a free-kick on the right edge of the area, with 25 minutes played.
Portugal's closest moment came from a Deco corner, in the 37th minute.
With Ollie Kahn rooted to his spot, Simao missed his header, Cristiano Ronaldo hardly
moved; as the ball flashed past everyone with Francisco Costinha just not getting there in
time at the back post.
Half-time: (0:0)
Just when things started to get boring, Bastian Schweinsteiger came in
from the left; seemed to get pushed away from the area but turned and struck the ball past
Ricardo, who seemed to be going to his right then had to change direction for the shot.
His left hand didn't get near.
Five minutes later, Bastian Schweinsteiger tried to double the score
from a free-kick on the left. Portugal's Armando Petit did the job for him, by sticking
out his right shin; to help the ball past Ricardo.
Bastian Schweinsteiger took off his shirt (for a yellow card) in
celebration of Germany's third goal; after an almost similar move to his first goal.
Well, Ricardo might be able to save penalties but he's looking average
today.
Seven minutes from time, Oliver Kahn made a good save from a Cristiano
Ronaldo free-kick after almost going the wrong way.
Luis Figo, playing his last international game for Portugal, planted a
perfect right-wing cross for Nuno Gomes to dive a header past Oliver Kahn; at the far
post.
Final Score:
Germany 3 -
Portugal 1
The Germans collected their medals, let off the fireworks and
celebtated as if they'd won the World Cup.
 Goalscorers:
1:0 Bastian Schweinsteiger (56)
2:0 Armando Petit (own goal, 61)
3:0 Bastian Schweinsteiger (79)
3:1 Nuno Gomes (88)
Teams
Germany: (Captain Oliver Kahn)
12 Oliver Kahn; 2 Marcell Jansen, 4 Robert Huth, 16 Philip Lahm,
21 Christoph Metzelder; 5 Sebastian Kehl, 7 Bastian Schweinsteiger,
8 Torsten Frings, 19 Bernd Schneider; 11 Miroslav Klose, 20 Lukas
Podolski.
Portugal: (Captain Pedro Pauleta)
1 Alexandre Ricardo; 2 Paulo Ferreira, 4 Miguel Ricardo Costa, 5 Fernando Meira, 14 Nuno
Valente; 6 Francisco Costinha, 11 Sabrosa Simao, 17 Cristiano Ronaldo, 18 Nuno Maniche, 20
Anderson Deco; 9 Pedro Pauleta.
Referee: Toru Kamikawa 
Substitutions:
46 Mins (Portugal) - 8 Armando Petit on for 6 Francisco Costinha
65 Mins (Germany) - 10 Oliver Neuville on for 11 Miroslav Klose
69 Mins (Portugal) - 21 Nuno Gomes on for 14 Nuno Valente
71 Mins (Germany) - 9 Mike Hanke on for 20 Lukas Podolski
77 Mins (Portugal) - 7 Luis Figo on for 9 Pedro Pauleta
79 Mins (Germany) - 15 Thomas Hitzlsperger on for 7 Schweinsteiger
 5 Yellow
Cards:
8 Mins - Torsten Frings (Germany)
24 Mins - Miguel Ricardo Costa (Portugal)
33 Mins - Francisco Costinha (Portugal)
61 Mins - Paulo Ferreira (Portugal)
79 Mins - Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
 0 Red Cards.
2006 World Cup Finals - Knockout Stage.
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