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Ballack magic earns Germany last-eight berth

16/06/2008

A superb Michael Ballack free-kick early in the second half was enough to see Germany through to the last-eight of Euro 2008 with a 1-0 win over co-hosts Austria.

The Chelsea midfielder struck a venomous effort into the top corner four minutes after the interval to sink a hard-working Austrian side that lacked anything like a cutting edge up front.

A largely uninspiring first half was categorised by Austrian endeavour and German profligacy.

Mario Gomez missed the visitors' best chance as he spooned a gilt-edged chance from just four yards out straight up in the air with the goal at his mercy.

Good work from Miroslav Klose at the bye-line gave him the space to pull the ball across but a poor touch from Gomez and an excellent recovery from the defence cleared the danger.

Austria's best chance came from a decent-looking penalty shout.

Striker Erwin Hoffer collapsed under a clumsy challenge from German defender Christoph Metzelder but referee Manuel Gonzalez waved away the half-hearted protests of the home side.

The highlight of the first half came when both managers - Joachim Low and Josef Hickersberger - were sent from the touchline for repeatedly protesting the referees' decisions and arguing with the fourth official.

In the second half, though, the game came alight thanks to the magic boots of Ballack.

The German captain stepped up to take a direct free-kick from a dangerous position and fired in an unstoppable long-range drive to give his side a crucial advantage.

Following the goal, Austria were forced to press in order to pull back the two goals needed to secure their progress ahead of their opponents.

But despite picking up the tempo and creating a couple of half-chances, albeit from long range, they lacked the crucial cutting edge to break down a dogged German defence.

Low's side had a couple of decent chances towards the end of the game but Lukas Podolski, Klose and Oliver Neuville were unable to find the net.

The win sees Germany through to the last-eight for the first time since they won the European Championships in England in 1996.