Germany Draw a Blank Against Plucky Latvia

Germany and Latvia had everything to play for in the Estadio do Bessa Seculo in Porto on Saturday afternoon as the last phase of the Group of Death drew near. With one game to play after this round, Germany was looking for the win which would elevate them above their rivals and the Latvians were playing for the points to save their tournament.

The Germans showed the kind of steel which they will need if they are to proceed to future rounds against the Dutch in their last game and started this match at a high tempo, rampaging down the flanks with Thorsten Frings showing the power and pace that attracted his new club Bayern Munich.

The Latvians were no slouches either in the first exchanges. Maris Verpakovskis demonstrated his close control, weaving through the German midfield within five minutes of the start but like the attacks heading in the other direction from Frings, nothing concrete came from the individual skill.

Rubins causes Germany trouble with pace

With 20 minutes on the clock, Germany's initial dominance was starting to wane as Latvia grew in confidence. Andrejs Rubins showed a clean pair of heels to Christian Wörns on a number of occassions to drift perilously close to Oliver Kahn's goal while the Latvian rearguard demonstrated solid resolve when faced with Kuranyi and Bobic in tandem.

The Germans began to look rattled when first Rubins and then Korablovs made surging runs at the left flank patrolled by Arne Friedrich. The German defender had to resort to strongarm tactics to prevent Korablovs getting into the area and was booked for his challenge. The resulting play almost cost Germany dear with Igors Stepanovs heading the cross to the right of Kahn, forcing the German captain into his first significant save.

German attackers lining up for chances

The scare woke Germany from its mid-half slumber with Kuranyi, Lahm, Bobic and Schneider all having credible efforts at the Latvian goal. But the nearest and most serious assault on Kolinko's goal came from Michael Ballack on the hal-hour mark. The midfielder made space for himself 25 yards out and pinged a crisp shot off the turf which skipped in front of the Latvian keeper, forcing him into a bundled save. Minutes later Kuranyi tried a similar thing but this time a frantic punch from Kolinko cleared the danger for Latvia.

The ecciting ebb and flow of the play from one end to the other continued with Latvia obviously unshaken by Germany's attempts on goal. Rubins again showed his pace to finf room to cross but Frank Baumann cleared under pressure.

Best chance covered by Kahn

Then suddenly it was Verpakovskis against the German defense. In a burst of speed that showed the reasoning behind his nickname "the Riga Rocket," the Latvian striker powered past Baumann and homed in on Kahn. With a challenge imminent, the striker struck but the goalkeeper was equal to it and the chance was gone.

The pace continued to be high until the half-time whistle blew and the teams retreated to take breath and prepare for a second half that was taking on even more important significance.

Germany started the second half like a team whose survival depended on the final result. The early pattern of German pressure broken up with Latvian counter-attacks began again with the Germans this time fired by the introduction of Bastien Schweinsteiger and Latvia feeding the increasingly impressive pair of Andrejs Rubens and Maris Verpakovskis.

Penalty claim falls on deaf ears

Soon Verpakovskis was causing problems with his speed again, weaving between two defenders in the penalty area and going to the floor under pressure. Latvia as a whole turned to the referee waiting for the penalty which never came.

As quickly as the calls had died away, Germany were threatening again. Thorsten Frings had time to set his sights on the edge of the Latvian box but his fizzing shot flew inches past the far post and the deadlock remained. Then Ballack was next to have a clear effort charged down as the Latvian defense continued to absorb and frustrate the German attackers.

Technically superior Germans lack incision

The Germans began to show their class with some precision passing but the lack of penetration seemed to be playing into the hands of their opponents. With every sweeping move that broke down, Latvia swarmed forward to leave the majority of the Germany team playing catch up from behind.

Germany eventually had a gilt-edged chance when Fredi Bobic found himself with an open goal after a clever clipped pass left the Latvians dead. Bobic instead kicked the ground when it looked harder to miss. It was his last contribution before Miroslav Klose came on in his place on 67 minutes.

Sensing an imminent goal, the Germans set up camp in the final third of the pitch and laid siege to the Latvian penalty area. Even so, speculative shots from youngsters Lahm and Schweinsteiger indicated that while who was enjoying most possession was in no question, Germany were running out of ideas as to where that goal would come from.

Missed chances cost Germany the victory

After surviving another penalty claim, this time Wörns on Verpakovskis, Germany tightened the screw, with every ball into the opposing area threatening a winning strike. But Kolinko seemed untroubled by the optimistic high balls that constituted Germany's shots on goal.

With 91 minutes on the clock, Miroslav Klose could have sewn the game up with a free header with only Kolinko to beat but his diving effort flew embarrassingly wide. There was barely any time for Klose to hide his face before the final whistle sounded and Germany left the pitch to face the criticism which will surely follow this upset.