A second-half header from Mario Gomez gave three-time champions Germany a winning start to their EURO 2012 campaign on Saturday, clinching a 1-0 (0-0) Group B win over Portugal.
Germany coach Joachim Loew gambled in benching veteran striker Miroslav Klose - but the move paid off as Gomez met a Sami Khedira cross on 73 minutes to head powerfully past Rui Patricio and break the deadlock in a cagey match.
Gomez nets in for the win
Portugal had their chances and could have been ahead before the break after Real Madrid defender Pepe saw a curling effort strike the underside of the bar and bounce down on the line.
EURO 2012: Germany vs. Portugal
Manchester United winger Nani floated a late effort onto the bar but the Germans held firm as Gomez netted his 23rd international goal before giving way to Klose.
Silvestre Varela should have levelled for the Portuguese at the death but sent an effort from eight yards straight at German keeper Manuel Neuer before Nani had another shot deflected out for a corner.
What users of DFB.de have to say:
"Hello dear players and the national team coach of Germany on football. I wish you a victory over team of the Netherlands and Denmark, and as victory in the European championship 2012, thanks for attention" (Sabina Muhamed Yunus)
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A second-half header from Mario Gomez gave three-time champions Germany a winning start to their EURO 2012 campaign on Saturday, clinching a 1-0 (0-0) Group B win over Portugal.
Germany coach Joachim Loew gambled in benching veteran striker Miroslav Klose - but the move paid off as Gomez met a Sami Khedira cross on 73 minutes to head powerfully past Rui Patricio and break the deadlock in a cagey match.
Gomez nets in for the win
Portugal had their chances and could have been ahead before the break after Real Madrid defender Pepe saw a curling effort strike the underside of the bar and bounce down on the line.
EURO 2012: Germany vs. Portugal
Manchester United winger Nani floated a late effort onto the bar but the Germans held firm as Gomez netted his 23rd international goal before giving way to Klose.
Silvestre Varela should have levelled for the Portuguese at the death but sent an effort from eight yards straight at German keeper Manuel Neuer before Nani had another shot deflected out for a corner.
What users of DFB.de have to say:
"Hello dear players and the national team coach of Germany on football. I wish you a victory over team of the Netherlands and Denmark, and as victory in the European championship 2012, thanks for attention" (Sabina Muhamed Yunus)
