MUNICH, June 19: Germany finally clicked into gear at the European Championship, with a little help from defending champion Portugal.
Germany recovered from a goal down to lay down a real marker at UEFA Euro 2020, putting four past the holders to leave Group F on a knife-edge going into Wednesday’s section finale.
The Portuguese became the first team to score two own-goals in one game at the continental tournament, giving Germany a 4-2 victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal in the lead in the 15th minute against the run of play, but from then on it pretty much was one-way traffic as Germany, inspired by Robin Gosens, stunned the holders.
It was Ronaldo’s first goal against Germany and his third at Euro 2020. It also extended his all-time tournament record to 12 goals.
But defenders Rúben Dias and Raphaël Guerreiro soon put Germany ahead by scoring into their own net in the first half.
Kai Havertz and Robin Gosens then scored two more for Germany early in the second half — becoming the first players within the squad to score at a European Championship.
Diogo Jota got one back for Portugal in the 67th minute.
Both Portugal and Germany have three points in Group F, one behind France, which was surprisingly held to a 1-1 draw by Hungary in Budapest.
Hungary has one point before its final group game against Germany on Wednesday in Munich. France will play Portugal in Budapest (AP)
