Euro 2008: Croatia 2-1 Germany (Match Report and Video)
June 13th, 2008 at 02:11am ibrahimo
After both teams won their first game, the pressure was on here, the winner almost definitely getting a place in the knock out stages. Croatia’s last game was less than inspiring; winning 1-0 against Austria, where as Germany looked a lot more convincing, beating Poland 2-0 with ease.
As the game kicked off, there was no clear dominator with end to end football being played. Surprisingly, Croatia began to take control, playing some fluent football and getting in a couple of shots. Germany had their fair share of chances too though, including a smashing Ballack free kick startling the Croatian goal keeper.
Then, a Croatian cross in to the box bounced awkwardly for German defender Marcell Jansen, and Darijo Srna managed to prod the ball past German and Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann. Croatia began to look much more confident after this, crossing the ball in regularly, and Niko Kranjcar missed two extremely good chances, which could have put Germany effectively out of the game.
Unfortunately for Croatia though, this was not the case, and as the half drew to an end the Germans started to press more and more, and it was a relief for Croatia when the half time whistle was blown.
The second half brought some entertaining football, Germany leading though, playing fast football, and it was against the run of play when on the sixty third minute a long shot was deflected on to the German post, falling kindly for Ivica Olic to tap the ball into an open goal.
This really wound Germany up, understandably, and they started pressurizing and getting even more worked up when the game wasn’t going their way, but their prayers were answered when on the seventy third minute a Croatian clearance fell to Podolski for him to smash the ball home from the edge of the box.
Germany then looked very likely to equalize, playing some amazing crosses into the box, but unfortunately for them, it just wasn’t working. Then, in stoppage time, a Croatian attack and a bad tackle makes German substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger lash out, pushing Jerko Leko to the ground and getting a straight red.
This game was very entertaining, both teams really going for it, and, against all predictions, Croatia emerged victors and now lead the group with the probability of getting through to the knock out stages.
Final Score:
Croatia 2 – 1 Germany
Watch the three GOALS:
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