Euro 2008: Croatia 2-1 Germany, Austria 1-1 Poland.
Jun 13
Darkhorses Croatia defeat Germany only for the second time. Qualify for the quarters.
Croatia brought hope back into their game by defeating Germany 2-1 in a ultra-tense match today. Darijo Srna and Ivica Olic struck their side’s goals as Croatia, who had only ever beaten Germany once before, produced arguably the first major upset of Euro 2008 in an entertaining encounter in Klagenfurt.
A frantic start to the match promised much but for all their huffing and puffing, neither side were able to create anything resembling a chance in the opening 20 minutes as defences held firm.
The ball did find its way into the back of the net in the 22nd minute when Germany striker Mario Gomez slotted past Stipe Pletikosa but the offside flag had already gone up against the Stuttgart man well beforehand.
The deadlock was broken for real just two minutes after that incident though, when Croatia went ahead through Srna.
The Croats doubled their advantage when Olic had the easy task of slotting one for the team in the 62nd minute.
Low’s side earned themselves a lifeline with 12 minutes to go though when Podolski lashed home a shot on the half-volley after the ball had fallen kindly to him in the box.
Germany could not build on that goal, though, and their final hopes of getting anything out of the match all but disappeared when Schweinsteiger was given a straight red card for shoving an opponent.
Austria levels score with Poland, with just two minutes left into the game.
Austria veteran Ivica Vastic levelled three minutes into injury time to earn a 1-1 draw against Poland after English referee Howard Webb awarded a controversial penalty.
Roger Guerreiro’s first goal for his country looked to have given Poland a win against the Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria in Vienna. However, Guerreiro, the Brazil-born playmaker, looked offside when he tapped in his first for his adopted country.
Austria, then frantically looking for a chance to score finally got their break in the 92nd minute, way into the injury time.
Stumble it!