Fray Bento needs a pie.
Anyway, Portugal managed to net 3 goals thanks to Pepe, Postiga and an 87th minute clinched from sub, Varela. Portugal started well and looked powerful but after they had scored their second goal, they seemed to take their foot off the gas and standards started slipping, allow Denmark to find a way back into the game.
Denmark had a difficult start and looked weak defensively, their discipline in this area being what earned them a win over Holland. They settled down as the game progressed, managing to keep Portugal back and also scoring a goal courtesy of Bendtner off a Krohn-Delhi assist. They started much better after half-time and looked lively and much more commanding. They were the better team in the second half and Bendtner netted another goal, putting Denmark in a very good position, but they could not hold on.
It was still Portugal who had the better chances although they continued to waste them down, in part, to Ronaldo. They should have had the game sewn up but looked sloppy throughout the last 45 minutes. Once Postiga had been subbed off, Oliveira and Varela gave Portugal a much more threatening demeanour and Varela's goal won Portugal 3 vital points.
Man Of The Match: Nani
Onwards and upwards with Ze Germans, uber allas! Germany started a bit slow, allowing Holland quite a lot of time on the ball. Had it not been for RvP continuing where he left off the last game and forgetting completely how to get a ball in a net, Germany could have been punished very early on. It didn't take them long to get into the game though and it was easy to forget quite how young a team these lads are. It's quite a sobering thought when you see such young men wiping the floor with a very experienced Dutch side. Once Schweinsteiger had set Gomez up, the striker making a beautiful turn with the ball and finding the back of the net, Germany really started to take control of the game. After a beautiful through ball by Schweinsteiger, finding Gomez who smashed the ball into the back of the net for another great goal, Germany really were on top. Both of Gomez's goal were so smooth and relaxed, a complete antithesis to what was going on down the other end of the pitch. Ozil and Schweinsteiger were very impressive from midfield and Boateng and Hummels were equally as good on the back line. Most importantly, Germany looked like a team.
Holland started strongly looking dangerous on the break, were stringing together some very nice passes and Robben was looking a threat and kept threading in some neat balls for RvP and Affellay, none of which were utilised. After Germany went 1-0 up, Holland seemed to deflate. Team-work went out of the window, some players looked more than slightly petulant, their defence, especially 18 year old Willems, were all over the place and the Netherlands looked like a very under-par team. For all the superstar players amongst their ranks, they were simply not meshing. After half-time, Van Persie scored an absolute belter of a goal and Holland seemed to pick up, but it wasn't enough. Robben, who had started off well, became more and more selfish and narrow-minded with the ball to the point he seemed to be playing by himself. His tantrum when he was subbed off, jumping off the pitch over the far side, ambling slowly round to the dugout and removing his shirt in front of the fans...well, it was just embarrassing. After a build of momentum in the 2nd half, the Dutch players looked worn out and tired and if anyone can shut up shop, it is the Germans.
It did ruin the game a bit, after being so impressive, to start time-wasting tactics. Neuer took about a year to make a goal kick, throw ins were slow, subs were made at a leisurely pace...but Germany deserved the win and they got it.
Man Of The Match: Ozil/Nemo
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