Portugal thrash Germany to reach Euro U21 final

Classy Portugal humiliated Germany 5-0 in the semi-finals of the European Under-21 Championship on Saturday to reach their first final since 1994.

In Tuesday's final, Portugal will take on either Sweden or Denmark, who will clash in the other semi-final later on Saturday.

In the eastern Czech city of Olomouc, Bernardo Silva, Ricardo Pereira and Ivan Cavaleiro scored to put Portugal 3-0 ahead in the first half while Joao Mario and Ricardo Horta rounded off the scoring in the second half.

Monaco's Silva got the opener on 25 minutes after a quick break into the box, beating Barcelona 'keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the German goal at his near post.

FC Porto striker Ricardo added another in the 33rd minute from close range after Paulo Oliveira helped on a corner.

Portugal's third was a beauty as their attacking line dismantled the German defence and Cavaleiro slammed the ball into the top-left corner of Ter Stegen's goal.

Joao Mario made it 4-0 just after the break with a deflected shot and substitute Horta finished the humiliation on 71 minutes, tipping in the ball from a cross.

German midfielder Leonardo Bittencourt got sent off for a second bookable offence just after Portugal's fifth goal, and only 25 minutes after coming onto the pitch as a substitute.
Source: AFP