SBNation.com - Euro 2012: Germany, Portugal Progress With Wins

Portugal Vs. Netherlands, Euro 2012: Final Score, Cristiano Ronaldo Guides Portuguese Into Quarterfinals

2012-06-17T20:47:34Z

Bert van Marwijk's attacking changes got the Oranje off to a brilliant start in their Group B finale against Portugal, but their lack of defense was ultimately their undoing. It was always just a matter of time before Cristiano Ronaldo found his finishing touch, and he turned it on against the Netherlands on Sunday, scoring two goals in a 2-1 Portugal win that sent them through to the quarterfinals.

Rafael Van der Vaart, who replaced Mark van Bommel in the Netherlands lineup in an attacking maneuver by van Marwijk, scored the game's opening goal after just 11 minutes. Arjen Robben shocked the world with his unselfish play on the goal, laying off to Van der Vaart for a nice assist on the Tottenham man's 20-yard blast past Rui Patricio.

For some reason, Holland started to look like their job was already done after that goal, and they were thoroughly outplayed by Portugal for the rest of the match. The Portuguese front four could have had multiple goals before they finally finished off a good chance and bagged one in the 28th minute, with Ronaldo netting the equalizer on a Joao Pereira through ball.

Portugal controlled the entire second half, and with his team needing multiple goals, van Marwijk made very aggressive substitutions. He pulled left back Jetro Willems off for Ibrahim Afellay, shifting his already porous defense into a makeshift back three that featured Gregory Van der Wiel as a right central defender. No one can blame the Netherlands for being aggressive at that time, but their lack of quality and communication in defense was their eventual undoing.

Ronaldo scored his second goal of the game and the tournament in the 74th minute, applying a simple finish to a pass across the box from Nani. The Netherlands defense was all over the place on the goal, offering little resistance. Considering how poorly they defended all night, the Netherlands were very lucky to only concede twice. They now exit Euro 2012 with zero points after entering the tournament as favorites to make the knockout stages.

You can find our previous live coverage of both of Saturday's games in our Euro 2012, Group B Finale StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.

Denmark Vs. Germany, Euro 2012: Final Score, Die Mannschaft Impressive In 2-1 Win

2012-06-17T20:38:08Z

Germany have dealt with their fair share of adversity in the first three games of Euro 2012, but they've escaped from group play unscathed. A long scoreless period against Portugal and a Danish equalizer haven't kept them down, and they're through to the quarterfinals with a perfect record after they defeated Denmark 2-1 to win Group B.

Lukas Podolski, making his 100th appearance for Germany, scored the opener just 19 minutes in. Mesut Özil started the attack with a great ball to Thomas Müller, who put a cross into the box towards Mario Gomez. The German center forward couldn't get good contact on the ball, but it fell favorably for Podolski, who applied the finish.

Denmark found a surprise equalizer in the 24th minute, which they might have thought put them in position to advance to the quarterfinals. Michael Krohn-Delhi scored the goal, nodding in a headed ball across the box from Nicklas Bendtner on a corner kick.

Germany would eventually break the tie, though it wouldn't have mattered for Denmark even if they did hold on to a draw, as Portugal went on to win the other match. Lars Bender scored the surprising winner for the Germans, getting onto the end of what appeared to be an overhit ball by Özil. It worked out well in the end with the midfielder-turned-fullback turning the ball into the net to preserve Germany's perfect record.

Portugal Vs. Netherlands, Euro 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo Puts His Side Up 2-1

2012-06-17T20:19:51Z

Portugal are currently on their way through to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012, thanks to another goal by Cristiano Ronaldo. With their match tied 1-1, the Netherlands needed to score twice to have a chance to progress and threw all caution to the wind by switching to a three-man defense. Their four-man defense wasn't really doing much defending, so their makeshift back three was predictably taken apart, and Portugal now lead 2-1.

Ronaldo equalized the game with his first goal of the tournament in the first half, and he's added another in the 74th minute. Once again, it was practically gifted to him. Nani set him up with a great ball into the box and the Netherlands defense was nowhere. He was allowed to take his time before placing a shot past Maarten Stekelenberg, all but finishing off the Dutch.

We'll have live coverage of both of Saturday's games simultaneously in our Euro 2012, Group B Finale StoryStream. For more on Euro 2012 and the entire world of football, follow @SBNationSoccer on twitter.

Portugal Vs. Netherlands, Euro 2012: Halftime Score, 1-1 Draw Has A Selecção Through So Far

2012-06-17T19:38:13Z

The Netherlands got off to a fantastic start in their Euro 2012 Group B finale against Portugal, looking like they were very much up to a fight for a place in the quarterfinals, but they fell apart in the latter part of the half and face a long road back to second place in the group. They're locked in a 1-1 draw with Portugal at halftime, and Portugal appear to have all of the momentum.

It appeared as if Bert van Marwijk got his tactics spot on in the early going, with Rafael Van der Vaart scoring a stunner in the 11th minute to put the Netherlands ahead. The Oranje seemed to step off the gas a bit after that goal, however, and they don't have the defense to step off the gas. From the goal until the end of the half, Portugal looked like the better side.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Raul Meireles and Helder Postiga all had opportunities that they should have done much better with in the first 30 minutes of the game, but Ronaldo finally capitalized on one in the 28th minute. Joao Pereira found him with a well-placed through ball that split the Holland defense and Ronaldo pounced, running onto it and applying a calm finish past Maarten Stekelenburg.

Van Marwijk has a lot of work to do in the locker room to get his team back into the match. As long as Denmark and Germany stay tied, they can't go through to the knockout stage, but they'll go through if they win this match by two goals while Germany win by one. They're not dead yet, but they sure looked like it based on their last 15 minutes in the first half.

Denmark Vs. Germany, Euro 2012: Halftime Score Finds 1-1 Knot

2012-06-17T19:36:26Z

Germany only needs a draw to advance from Group B in Euro 2012. At halftime, they have it. But Denmark, despite an equalizer, is going to need more to move on.

Lukas Podolski opened scoring for the Germans with a goal from inside the box in the 19th minute, scoring one of the few great chances Germany have had against a Danish defense that has made errors in the first half of play. Michael Krohn-Delhi equalized for Denmark five minutes later with a header off a header from a corner kick on a marking mistake by Germany.

Both teams struggled to get shots on target in the first half; Denmark had four to Germany's two.

Should results stand and both final games in Group B end in ties, Germany would move on and Denmark would lose a tiebreaker to Portugal. If the Danes can win, or tie with a Netherlands win, they will go through.

Portugal Vs. Netherlands, Euro 2012: Finally, A Cristiano Ronaldo Goal

2012-06-17T19:19:26Z

Cristiano Ronaldo and his Portugal teammates had a number of excellent chances in the first half hour of their match against the Netherlands, but it didn't look like they had their finishing boots on for quite a while. After Ronaldo's poor performance against Denmark, it was easy to think that the goal was never going to come, but he finally capitalized on a golden chance in the 28th minute, equalizing the match for his side.

The Dutch haven't defended well at any point in the tournament and the Portugal goal was no exception. Their third central defense pairing of the tournament was easily carved up by a Joao Pereira through ball, placed beautifully into the path of Ronaldo. He got onto it and finished comfortably, making it 1-1. At the moment, Germany lead the group while Portugal and Denmark are tied on four points. That puts Portugal through on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

Denmark Vs. Germany, Euro 2012: Michael Krohn-Delhi Equalizes

2012-06-17T19:13:45Z

Germany didn't have a lead over Denmark for long. The Danes have equalized in impressive fashion, and more importantly, gotten themselves into a position to advance. As it stands, Denmark will go through in second place, with Germany winning the group. Michael Krohn-Delhi was the scorer, netting his second of the tournament.

The goal came on a beautifully executed set piece, where the Germany defenders got caught ball watching in the 24th minute. Lars Jacobsen hit a line drive corner kick to the back post, where Nicklas Bendtner was able to rise up above the defense to nod the ball back across goal. Krohn-Delhi was waiting and was virtually uncontested as he nodded the ball past Manuel Neuer, getting his team back into the top two places in the group. A draw does not guarantee progression for Denmark, however, as Portugal will go through if they win or draw their match.

Euro 2012: Lukas Podolski's Goal Gives Germany 1-0 Lead Over Denmark

2012-06-17T19:09:59Z

Lukas Podolski is making his 100th international appearance for the Germany team that has dominated Group B of Euro 2012 and celebrated it with a fine goal to give the Germans a 1-0 edge.

Podolski cleaned up a ball crossed into the box by Mesut Ozil and flubbed by Mario Gomez with a strike that left no doubt in the 19th minute, ending a scoreless run to begin the game that had been marked by German possession and aggression, but a lack of finishing.

As scores stand, Germany would be through to the knockout stage with nine points from three wins, and Denmark would be out, sitting on three points and behind Portugal on goals scored. But if the Danes can equalize or better, their chances substantially improve.