Stadion Narodowy, Warszawa, 28.06.2012
1-2 (0-2)
Özil pen 90+2. / Balotelli 20., 36.
Starting with their 3-2 win over Uruguay at the 2010 World Cup where they had claimed third place, Joachim Löw’s side had embarked on a winning streak in competitive matches – a series that stretched over the best part of two years. Ten victories in qualifying, a perfect group phase and the 4-2 quarter-final win against Greece had seen the Germans extend this winning run to fifteen matches – a new world record.
The Nationalmannschaft’s semi-final opponents in Warsaw’s National Stadium were old adversaries Italy, a team that no German side had beaten in seven competitive internationals since the World Cup in 1962. Clearly, something had to give. Or not, as it turned out. In one of the most disappointing matches of the Löw era, a clueless German side were out-thought by an Italian side that once again got it right when it mattered.
Minute-by-minute Match Report »
Match Analysis & Player Ratings »
Germany: Neuer – Boateng (71. Müller), Badstuber, Hummels, Lahm (c) – Khedira, Schweinsteiger – Kroos, Özil, Podolski (46. Reus) – Gómez (46. Klose)
Italy: Buffon – Balzaretti, Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini – De Rossi, Pirlo, Marchisio, Montolivo (64. Thiago Motta) – Cassano (58. Diamanti), Balotelli (70. Di Natale)
Referee: Stéphane Lannoy (France)
Assistants: Frédéric Cano, Michael Annonier (France)
Goal Assistants: Fredy Fautrel, Ruddy Buquet (France)
Fourth Official: Howard Webb (England)
Yellow Cards: Hummels 90+4. / Balotelli 37., Bonucci 61., De Rossi 84., Thiago Motta 89.
Red Cards: – / –
Attempts on Target: 8 / 5
Attempts off Target: 7 / 5
Corners: 14 / 0
Fouls Committed: 13 / 19
Attendance: 55,540