EURO 2000 Germany Falls To Portugal 3-0  

June 20, 2000 - Germany's reign as European champions came to a disappointing and undignified end in Rotterdam's De Kuip stadium after a stunning hat-trick from Sergio Conceicao gave Portugal a handsome 3-0 victory Lazio midfielder Conceicao continued Portugal's 100 per cent record in Group A with the tournament's first hat-trick which means three-time winners Germany fall at the first hurdle.

For Portugal it seemed like a chance to try many of their second string players while for Germany a victory was crucial to their chances.

But how the balance of power in European soccer appears to have switched. A side which included just two of the players that beat Romania 1-0 on Saturday ran rings around the former undisputed kings of the game in Europe.

Already assured of their place in the quarter-finals, coach Humberto Coelho decided to rest many of his stars but it was the Portuguese that looked by far the liveliest in the opening 45 minutes.

Lothar Matthaus won his record 150th cap for the Germans who were without the injured Jens Jeremies, Christian Ziege and Markus Babbel.

Michael Ballack, who excelled when he came on against England on Saturday, replaces Jeremies while Thomas Linke and Marko Rehmer come in for Babbel and Ziege.

Portugal started the brighter and Sa Pinto posted their intent by breaking free down the right but his deflected cross landed on Pedro Espinha's net.

Then on 16 minutes Conceicao went inches wide with a swinging effort from an angle but Kahn watched it go past his far post.

Portugal had claims for a penalty turned down when Nowotny barged Sa Pinto over but the free kick was awarded on the edge of the box. Germany cleared the resulting danger.

The German supporters came to life with news of Romania's goal in Charleroi and their team was likewise lifted.

Dietmar Hamann's corner forced a punched clearance from Espinha and Beto went into the referee's book for a rash challenge on Mehmet Scholl.

But Marco Bode came closest to opening the scoring in the 31st minute when broke clear of the Portuguese defence but his well-struck left foot shot came rebounding off the post.

Then Portugal took the lead on 35 minutes when a superb cross from Sa Pinto looped over Kahn and Conceicao headed into the empty net. He needed treatment after the goal as goalkeeper Kahn collided heavily with him into the back of the net.

Conceicao made sure of Germany's fate nine minutes after the break courtesy of an absolute howler that goalkeeper Oliver Kahn will prefer to forget.

The Lazio man broke free on the right and cut inside and his first-time shot on his left foot seemed destined for Kahn's safe hands but he flapped and the ball eluded him and rolled into the back of the net.

Pauleta shot narrowly over as the Portuguese continued to dominate and Sa Pinto again went close with a 20 yard drive as Coelho's side showed their strength in depth.

Then Conceicao hammered the final nail into Germany's coffin on 71 minutes when he broke clear on the right and his low shot edged past Kahn's outstretched hand and the issue was settled

Courtesia CBS Sportsline