It wasn’t even halftime and the German fans were already singing “Aufwiedersehen, aufwiedersehen” — the bye-bye chant of scorn for the Dutch team and its orange-clad fans.
It was a little premature to be saying goodbye, but the Germans still left the Netherlands on the brink of elimination from the European Championship after beating their historic rivals 2-1 in one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament yesterday in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Mario Gomez scored both goals for Germany, which is now a perfect 2-0.
Although Robin van Persie pulled one back for the Netherlands in the second half, the defeat leaves the 2010 World Cup runner-up dangerously close to going home.
The Netherlands, along with Germany considered one of the favorites but drawn into a tough group, has lost both group games and needs to beat Portugal to have a hope. Germany will need only a draw against Denmark on Sunday to win the group.
Portugal 3, Denmark 2
After a miserable run of four games without a victory and only one goal scored, the Portuguese came through with an 87th-minute goal from substitute Silvestre Varela to beat Denmark in Lviv, Ukraine.
Varela scored the winner, spinning on the ball and shooting from short range. It was Varela’s first international goal in four appearances. But the winning strike came late, and after several missed opportunities from Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s captain.
Germany, Silvestre Varela, Netherlands, European Championship, Robin van Persie, Denmark, aufwiedersehen
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