Euro 2020: Robin Gosens Resurrects Germany With Fantastic Performance Against Portugal

Robin Gosens celebrates his goal against Portugal. The Atalanta wing-back was the best player for … [+] Germany on Saturday. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

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After losing 1-0 to France on matchday 1 of Euro 2020, Germany is back in the tournament. On Saturday, the Germans were outstanding in their 4-2 victory over defending champions Portugal. The man of the match was Robin Gosens, who was among the scorers. 

The Atalanta wing-back was the key player on both ends of the pitch, providing Die Nationalmannschaft with the sort of dynamic that was missing from the game against France. In fact, Gosens appeared to have opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but the goal was chalked off as Serge Gnabry was offside in the buildup. 

Instead, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scored on the other end in the 15th minute. Germany was only rattled for a few minutes and worked its way back into the game. Finally, in the 35th minute, Gosens drove a ball in the middle where Ruben Díaz, under pressure by Kai Havertz, scored on his own keeper. 

Four minutes later, Germany was on top thanks to another own goal. This time Thomas Müller forced an error from Raphaël Guerreiro. 

“It was a relief not only because of the three points but also because of the way we played,” former Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger said on German television after the game. “With passion and directness, we saw great scenes today that we can build on.”

Indeed, Germany played football that made the nation fall in love with Joachim Löw’s man between 2006 and 2014. Quick and dynamic, Germany headed into the second half 2-1 up. Then in the 51st minute, Gosens finally set up the first goal scored by a German player on an opposing goalkeeper in the tournament. Once again, the Atalanta wing-back drove into the final third, his low hard pass finding Havertz. 

Finally, in the ninth minute, Gosens scored his goal. This time Joshua Kimmich set up the Atalanta man inside the box. 

“At half-time I tried to change it, but we ended up conceding the third and fourth goals,” Portugal head coach Fernando Santos said to UEFA. This shook the team, which still tried to react. We reduced it to 4-2, we had a ball against the post, one or two chances, but Germany also created danger. It was a fair victory for Germany.”

After setting up two goals, Gosens scored himself to round up a fantastic performance. (Photo by … [+] MATTHIAS SCHRADER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Just one minute later, Gosens was off, rested by Joachim Löw after an immense performance. Germany, however, suffered without its dynamo on the left. Portugal halved the lead in the 67th minute when Diogo Jota tapped the ball across the line. 

The result speaks for itself, but I think we had opportunities to reduce the result,” Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches said to UEFA after the game. “Regardless of whether I start playing or not, I always do my best. Of course, all players want to play, but we have to respect decisions.”

For some time, it appeared that the Germans would waver, throwing away a lead and a comfortable position in Group F. Sanches, in fact, would hit the post in the 78th minute that would have halved the lead and could have spelled trouble for the Germans. 

“We couldn’t get out of the pressure, but we improved,” Portugal’s João Moutinho said to UEFA. “We made it 4-2 and still got a ball against the post. But we have to keep working.”

That shot, however, woke up Die Nationalmannschaft. The Germans now circulated the ball, maintaining possession to see out a result that sets them up nicely against Hungary. A win against Hungary on matchday 3 will secure a spot in the top two and could even lead to Germany winning Group F. 

And Gosens? The Atalanta man won the man of the match and increasing the focus on his services in the upcoming transfer window. Expect his Transfermarkt market value of $38.5 million increase significantly, however. 

Manuel Veth is the editor-in-chief of the Futbolgrad Network and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth