The only goal of this spectacular and committed match was scored by German defender Mats Hummels against his side, after a cross by Frenchman Lucas Hernandez (20th minute).
The victorious goal started from a sublime outside foot of Paul Pogba, in all the good shots, that Hernandez took in first intention from a strong center in the opposing area. The unfortunate Hummels, back in the selection after a long sideline, catapulted the ball into his own net.
In front of its some 14,000 supporters, Germany has done everything, up to the very limit of the regulations, to crack its successors in 2018.
Defender Antonio Rüdiger, who invited his partners to just be dirty
against the visitors, has repeatedly walked the talk, especially when he pretended to bite Pogba before half-time. The gesture infuriated the Manchester United midfielder, but the referee remained unmoved.
Even more impressive, his teammate Robin Gosens knocked out Benjamin Pavard by returning like a bullet in the French defender of Bayern in the 59th minute, reviving the memory of Seville, in 1982, and this semi-final of the World Cup lost by France after the exit on stretcher of Patrick Battiston, violently hit by goalkeeper Harald Schumacher.
Before kick-off, an incident could still have relegated soccer to the background. An activist from the environmental association Greenpeace, arrived above the stadium in a small motorized glider with the message Kick Out Oil
(outside the oil
) inscribed on its sail, almost crashed in the stands after hitting a cable. The activist was arrested, and a person stunned by the incident had to be evacuated.
Victory for Portugal, record for Ronaldo
Defending Euro champions Portugal suffered but won 3-0 against Hungary in Budapest with a brace from star Cristiano Ronaldo. He thus appropriated the record for the number of goals scored in this competition.
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scored the second goal with a penalty shot (87th minute), two minutes after the opening goal by Raphaël Guerreiro (84th), then the third in added time against very catchy opponents, who were playing at home and in a stadium full for the first time in a year and a half due to COVID-19.
These were the Portuguese’s 10th and 11th goals in a final phase of the European Championship. He is now ahead of Frenchman Michel Platini, who scored nine goals in five matches at the only Euro he participated in, in 1984.
Ronaldo, on the other hand, was playing his 22nd game on Tuesday at his 5th Euro, another record. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has now scored 105 goals in 176 caps.
The main ambition of the Portuguese striker in this Euro will be to keep the 2016 title won in France. Only Spain achieved this performance in 2008 and 2012.
Ronaldo could then add an additional record to his fabulous collection: a sixth Ballon d’Or, which he has not won since 2017, and thus equal his great Argentinian rival FC Barcelona, Lionel Messi.
