Germany beat Portugal 1-0, Group B Euro Cup 2012 Germany V Portugal

Gomez goal Germany beat Portugal 1-0

Germany began their Euro cup 2012 campaign in efficient fashion, a second-half header from striker Mario Gomez was enough to seal Germany a 1-0 win over Portugal in their opening Euro 2012 match on Saturday.

Mario Gomez's pinpoint header after 72 minutes earned the 2008 runners-up to a crucial three points, and equal top of Group B with Denmark after their tournament opener. This was German's third straight win over Portugal in major tournaments to give Germany a winning start in Group B.

Neither side were in any hurry to take control early, though Cristiano Ronaldo did cause a few hearts to flutter when he flashed a low centre across the face of goal but he rarely got the better of his marker Jerome Boateng otherwise in the entire match

German surprised with a Loew sprang before kick-off by leaving out experienced centre-back Per Mertesacker and veteran forward Miroslav Klose on bench for this match at the Lviv Arena, the smallest of the eight Euro 2012 venues, in front of 32,990 fans.

Bayern Munich's Holger Badstuber partnered Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels in the centre of defence with captain Philipp Lahm at left-back and Bayern's Boateng on the right with goal-scorer Gomez starting as the lone striker.

With just under a quarter of an hour gone, Germany keeper Manuel Neuer was floored by a dreadful late challenge from Helder Postiga, who was perhaps fortunate to escape his briefing with referee Stephane Lannoy with only a yellow card.

The 26-year-old soon came within inches of adding another, just failing to get a toe on Muller's centre, before belatedly making way for Klose 10 minutes from time.

That sparked a late surge for Portugal, with Nani twice coming close to bringing them back into the game, one of his efforts being an audacious 35-yard cross-shot that clipped off the woodwork.

Portugal had their best chance of the match two minutes before the end, but Neuer did fantastically well to spread himself and block Nelson Oliveira from point blank range.

Next up for Germany is a clash against fellow favourites Netherlands in Kharkiv, while Portugal square off against Denmark n Lviv, with both matches taking place on Wednesday.