Dark horses Croatia sent a message of intent for the other Euro 2008 finalists tonight, because very surprised-fancied Germany to take a huge step toward a quarter-point final.Darijo Srna and Ivica Olic hit the goals as his side Croatia, which had only beaten once before in Germany, produced undoubtedly the first major upset of Euro 2008 in an entertaining encounter in Klagenfurt.
Lukas Podolski pulled a goal back at the end of Germany with his third strike in two games to establish a final nail biting, but there was not way back to Joachim Low's team, which finished with 10 men following the dismissal 90 minutes from substitute by Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Both sides entered the game having won their opening matches, while Germany has studied much more impressive to see Poland to face defeat in Croatia that had to Austria.
However, Slaven Bilic's side who turned out in style in Worthersee Stadion, since it took control of Group B with two wins out of two.
A frenetic start to the match promised much but for all its huffing and puffing, neither side were able to create something resembling a chance in the opening 20 minutes as defences stood firm.
The ball did find its way into the back of the net in 22 minutes when Germany striker Mario Gomez slotted home past Stipe Pletikosa, but outside of the flag had already passed against Stuttgart man.
The blockade was broken by Real just two minutes after that incident, however, when Croatia went ahead through Srna.
Danijel Pranjic sent through a superb cross from the left and Srna burned in front of Marcell Jansen marker to slide the ball in at the rear end, Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann no chance to save.
Croatia had a golden opportunity to do so edged 2-0 in 30 minutes, but Niko Kranjcar wasted.
Ivan Rakitic chipped a pass into the area which was to flick the penalty spot Olic, but in the rush-Kranjcar could not cover well-worked move as it charted.
Germany knew they needed to step across the arts and they finally did earn his keep Pletikosa with two efforts in quick succession.
The first saw Pletikosa expel a thunderous Michael Ballack free kick before the Spartak Moscow custodian of awkwardly diverted away Christoph Metzelder an effort with his knee.
Metzelder and Torsten Frings then headed a corner just over seven meters as the Germans stepped up their efforts to achieve a tie before the break.
However, the bottom very close behind two goals in the 43 th minute, and they need a fine reaction stop to deny Lehmann Kranjcar, who chested down and spend Olic broke into a first-time volley .
Having seen his side let off the hook, Lower opted for a more adventurous in the second half as he sacrificed to return full Jansen jet-heeled end David Odonkor during the interval.
Apart from a Ballack fired over the crossbar, however, Croatia expected quite comfortable at the beginning of the period and also had a decent effort of their own with Luka Modric firing a shot that Lehmann met, but not before seeing that squirm through their hands first.
Lehmann next task is to collect the ball off the back of his net as Croatia stunned the Germans with a second goal on 62 minutes.
A Rakitic cross from the right took a deflection in front of Podolski before arrowing goalwards and although Lehmann, who had begun to leave by the initial cross, made diving backwards and get a hand on it, hit the ball close to his post before rebounding back out to Olic, who had an easy task of slotting home.
Germany hopes for an immediate response but apart from that Schweinsteiger shot fizz across the face of goal, they are still proving difficult to create opportunities against a well-organised Croatia backline.
Low side earned themselves a lifeline with 12 minutes to go well when Podolski lashed home a shot in the half volley after the ball had fallen well entrusted to him in the box.
Germany could not build on that goal, however, its end and hopes to get anything out of the game, but all disappeared when Schweinsteiger received a direct red card for pushing Jerko Leko.
No comments:
Post a Comment