PLAYER RATINGS: Robin Gosens and Kai Havertz light up Allianz Arena
PLAYER RATINGS: Robin Gosens and Kai Havertz light up the Allianz Arena as Germany ease past Portugal… but Bruno Fernandes was very quiet by his high standards in a thrilling Group F encounter
- READ: Germany beat Portugal 4-2 in the game of the tournament so far
- Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in after 15 minutes to put Fernando Santos’ side ahead
- First-half OGs from Ruben Dias and Raphael Guerreiro made it 2-1 to Germany
- The superb Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens extended the lead after the interval
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here
Germany threw Euro 2020 Group F wide open with a devastating attacking performance to beat Portugal 4-2.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored against the run of play, before two own goals in five minutes turned the tide at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.
The superb Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens extended Germany’s lead after the interval and Die Mannschaft were worthy victors despite Diogo Jota tapping home to briefly revive hopes of an unlikely comeback.
Here, Sportsmail runs the rule over both sets of players from an enthralling encounter which probably represents the match of the tournament so far.
Germany’s Robin Gosens was absolutely outstanding in a 4-2 win for his side against Portugal
PORTUGAL (4-2-3-1)
Rui Patricio – 5
Could do very little about any of the goals, all from close range, which gave him very little time to react. Didn’t get anywhere near anything really.
Nelson Semedo – 5
Offered as much resistance to the marauding Robin Gosens as cotton wool does to a chainsaw. As in, absolutely none at all. Literally zero.
Pepe – 6
Oscillated between a fearless hard man and a fragile child with disturbing regularity in the attempt to provoke yellow cards for the opposition. Serge Gnabry had him on absolute toast at times. Did alright for a 38-year-old though.
Ruben Dias – 6
Made several decent blocks and clearances but was ultimately undone by his side’s glaring weaknesses in the full-back areas. Shame about the histrionics too.
Raphael Guerreiro – 6
Perhaps did not receive as much protection from Diogo Jota as he wanted but looked like a winger at left back, and that was before the own goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) put in a strong performance but could not drag his side to victory
Danilo Pereira – 5
Broke up play quasi-competently but could have used a less prosaic ball player next to him, like Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, or Renato Sanches, from the start. Dropped deeper and deeper as the match went on.
William Carvalho – 6
One half of an ineffective double pivot, Pereira-lite. The pair neither neutralised Germany’s deeper playmakers nor did enough to shackle the roaming attacking midfielders. Taken off before the hour mark.
Bernardo Silva – 7
Astounding flighted ball to Diogo Jota for the opening goal. He could have done more to neutralise Gosens but was unlucky to be hooked for Renato Sanches at half-time.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Very quiet by his standards. Helped the team tick over early on with several nice touches but his set-piece delivery left a lot to be desired and he looked half the player he does at Manchester United.
Diogo Jota (left) tapped in their second goal, but did not help out Raphael Guerreiro in defence
Diogo Jota – 7
Delivered a fine chest down and unselfish square ball to his team-mate for the first goal and showed his ruthless streak for the second. Lively in attack.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 8
As ITV’s Sam Matterface mentioned, this ageless 36-year-old has more records than HMV. Also showed up Antonio Rudiger with a disrespectfully casual no-look first-half backheel, but could not drag his side to victory.
SUBS: Renato Sanches (Bernardo Silva, 45) 6, Rafa Silva (Carvalho 58) 5, Joao Moutinho (Fernandes, 65) 6, Andre Silva (Jota 83) 6.
SUBS NOT USED: Anthony Lopes (GK), Rui Silva (GK); Jose Fonte, Diogo Dalot, Ruben Neves, Pedro Goncalves, Joao Palhinha, Goncalo Guedes.
Portugal manager Fernando Santos was left to rue his side’s weaknesses in the full-back areas
GERMANY (3-4-2-1)
Manuel Neuer – 7
Was left exposed for the goals but snuffed out several promising Portugal situations. As ever, the last line of defence and the first line of attack.
Matthias Ginter – 6
Helped Joshua Kimmich overload the opposition down their left hand side, occasionally dropping in to right back. Quietly got on with his job well, if a little overeager to dive in.
Mats Hummels – 6
A no-nonsense display from the experienced stopper and he did not do much wrong. Whether it is worth sacrificing a man in midfield with a defender either side to protect his waning pace in future remains to be seen.
Antonio Rudiger – 7
No doubt, Rudiger is strong, committed and abrasive. Probably the main contender to guide through the new generation of centre-backs like Jonathan Tah, Thilo Kehrer and Niklas Sule.
Graceful playmaker Kai Havertz (second right) pressured Ruben Dias into scoring an own goal
Raphael Guerreiro was the next defender to turn into his own net after Joshua Kimmich’s cross
Joshua Kimmich – 8
Not naturally a right wing back but when you’re this good, you have to find a way to fit him in. Classy all-round player.
Ilkay Gundogan – 6
Retained the ball well but may not have the legs to play 90 minutes regularly in sweltering heat if Germany progress into and through the knockout stages.
Toni Kroos – 7
A fine passer, who started attacks from almost everywhere on the pitch. A key part of the team, although it may well be his last major tournament in the engine room.
Robin Gosens – 9
Unlucky to be denied a superb early goal for an offside after an acrobatic volley but was absolutely outstanding throughout. Makes you wonder about Bundesliga bias as Italy-based Gosens only has a handful of caps aged 26.
Kai Havertz – 7
Switched off by letting Jota run off him for Ronaldo’s opener but it was only up from there. He is a lithe, graceful master manipulator of the subtle half-spaces, and Chelsea have an ethereal player on their hands.
Havertz then tapped in from Gosens’ pinpoint cross to extend the lead for Die Mannschaft
The impressive Gosens nodded in to round off a near-perfect performance from the wing back
Thomas Muller – 8
Fully vindicated his international recall. Involved in almost everything Germany did in attack and had his fingerprints all over their goals.
Serge Gnabry – 7
Electric performance. Looked dangerous all match with his movement, skill and pace. A nightmare for defenders.
SUBS: Marcel Halstenberg (Gosens, 62) 6, Emre Can (Hummels, 62) 6, Niklas Sule (Gundogan, 73) 6, Leon Goretzka (Havertz, 73) 7, Leroy Sane (Gnabry, 87) N/A.
SUBS NOT USED: Bernd Leno (GK), Kevin Trapp (GK); Robin Koch, Christian Gunter, Florian Neuhaus, Kevin Volland, Timo Werner.
REFEREE: Anthony Taylor – 6
Correctly disallowed an early Gosens goal and did not buy the constant demands for soft yellow cards.
Germany boss Joachim Low sees his side overtake Portugal into second in the Group F table
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