Too many missed chances late cost Portugal a first loss in Group B
The Portuguese will feel hardly done, although they can only blame themselves for a number of missed opportunities. Heading into the match it was unknown whether Paulo Bento would use Helder Postiga or Hugo Almeida as the main frontman. Postiga got the start but his little involvement in the match affected Portugal's attack.
An already one dimensional style of football with an incredible amount of dependance on Cristiano Ronaldo becomes even more one dimensional when your striker can't get into the match. It was surprising to see Helder Postiga start considering his lack of size in comparison to Germany's center-backs. Also, seeing as Hugo Almeida played a number of years in Germany, one would have thought that the Besiktas striker would have made the start.
Knowing the result of the match earlier between Holland and Denmark, both teams would have known that three points in this match could prove to be highly important. The match began very tactical as expected with neither team wanting to make a costly mistake. The German's showed an incredible amount of respect for the Portuguese, probably more than many would have expected.
Pepe's shot off the crossbar just before halftime could have sent the Portuguese into cruise control
Their were not many clear cut opportunities for both teams in the first half, with
both teams trying to be cautious when they broke on the attack. Portugal made it a point to have at least 10 men behind the ball at all times to make things difficult for a very talented German midfield. Pepe could go down as having Portugal's best chance in the first half as he rattled the cross bar after collecting a loose ball off a Portugal corner kick. Unmarked, he picked out the top right corner only to see his shot strike the cross bar as the Portuguese players protested thinking the ball had bounced in Germany's goal, but the replay showed it clearly bounced on the line.
Rui Patricio was the busier of the two goalies as he had to deal with a few well measured crosses into the box, but nothing to problematic. Mario Gomez met a cross with his head bout 12 yards out but that resulted in a comfortable save for Patricio. As the German's continued to move forward trying to break down the very solid Portuguese defense, a cross sent back towards the top of the box met an unmarked Lukas Podolski who managed to put his shot way over the crossbar.
The second half looked promising as the Portuguese were defending extremely well, and with an inspirational moment from Cristiano Ronaldo they could have seen themselves go ahead in the match. Unfortunately that moment didn't come for the Portuguese as Mario Gomez benefited from a slight deflection from Khedira's cross who found Gomez unmarked as he put Germany up 1-0.
An unfortunate deflection for the Portuguese who were playing well and looked extremely organized, but saw that all come undone with Gomez's header. Portugal pushed forward and with Benfica youngster Nelson Oliveira already on the pitch as well as Porto winger Varela, it was all or nothing for Paulo Bento's men.
It took 81 minutes for Ronaldo to finally get greedy and launch one of his trademark shots on Manuel Neuer who had some difficulty in parrying the ball away for a corner kick. Later, a well played ball into the box met Nelson Oliveira who did a great job to hold up the ball in the box, as he slotted a pass across the box that met Varela, who with the net at his mercy managed to the most difficult and struck Manuel Neuer with the ball. Although a great job from Neuer to get off his line quickly, players can't afford to be missing clear cut opportunities like that one at this level.
To the desperation of the Portuguese, their last opportunity of the match came from a corner kick in the final seconds of the match. Bruno Alves got on the end of the corner but saw his header make it's way over the cross bar, ending Portugal's chance of a last minute equalizer in their first match.
Final Analysis
Portugal will feel they could certainly have made it out of this match with at least one point. Tactical discipline and defensive organization were the key points for the Portuguese in this first group match. As expected going into the competition, without a true goal scorer in the squad, goals will continue to be difficult to come by.
While Germany was able to contain Ronaldo very well throughout the match, Portugal will need more out of Nani if they look to succeed. The Manchester United winger showed a few glimpses of finally getting into the match but he never really managed to be that important influence.
Nelson Oliveira may have only played a few short minutes, but he was more influential in his time on the field than Helder Postiga was. Will Paulo Bento take that into consideration for Wednesday's match against Denmark?
Sitting in last place after this first match, Wednesday nights match against Denmark will be extremely important and very much a must win for Paulo Bento's men. If the Portuguese can manage to get a victory against Denmark, they will set themselves up for an epic final group match against Holland.
