Latvia against Germany

Pahars, who hasn't made the greatest of impacts, goes looking for a free kick off Baumann and rightly doesn't get one. Goal kick Germany

Latvia pretty much playing 1-8-2 at the moment with the eight killing all space on the edge of their box. And it's working. Germany are predictable and ineffective and, on the break, Latvia carry the greatest goal threat

Corner for Germany sees Kolinko - suspect on long, high balls early on - come through a crowd to cleanly take the ball from the skies. Great take

A difficult ball into the box causes a bit of confusion for the Latvian defence. Ballack steals in to get the head on and Brdaric is closing in until Kolinko collects at the second attempt

Another very weak penalty claim as Verpakovskis falls in the German box but his heart wasn't really in it. A bigger shout may have made the referee aware that he had been fouled. And he was fouled

I don't want to tempt fate but Germany look to have run out of ideas and it is the underdogs who look most likely to make a breakthrough

Mistake by Lahm lets Verpakovskis free down the right and his pace gets him comfortably to the byline. His cross is aimed towards the arriving Pahars but Kahn is alert to the danger and cuts the cross out comfortably. Good reading of the game from the German captain

Astafjevs goes into the referee's notebook for a foul on Hamann. Can have no complaints

Substitution for Germany as Kuranyi makes way in a straight swap foe Brdaric

15 minutes to go and the real posibilty of an upset

With no space to play into Voeller's men are being reduced to pot shots from distance. Schweinsteiger this time not really troubling Kolinko

Germans are committing men forward more and more - they need to be careful with that - but Latvia's solid, organised defence is standing firm

Another good position for Latvia as a shot from deep turns into a decent cross field pass to Rubins. His first time cross needed height though as Baumannn recovers well and clears

Germany, still faced with two banks of four red shirts probe and probe but with little success. In the end Friedrich punts over a hopefull ball to the back post that Kolinko has to watch like a hawk until plucking it off the head of Kuranyi

Latvia also make a change. Marian Pahars gives Prohorenkovs a well earned rest after some tireless work from the striker

Rudi Voeller obviously agrees as Bobic will play no further part in the game. Miroslav Klose replaces him

Real chance for Germany wasted by Bobic who has been terrible. Kuranyi does well on the right and sends a straight cross along the floor that goes throught he defensive meele and rolls between Bobic and an open goal. He seemed flat on his feet and really needed to do better

Another blistering burst of pace from Verpakovskis sees him faced with Worns to beat for a one on one with Kahn. Worns does well to watch the run and deny the latvian as he sought to cut inside

Free kick for Germany just outside the box, to the right, tempts Ballack to crack one straight down the middle. Kolinko has to satnd firm and puch clear as the bullet heads straight at him. Not the most convincing of saves but effective nonetheless

A much better game than the first half and, despite it still being 0-0, some exciting stuff

Verpakovskis once more looks to have done enough on his own to create a goal. Breaking through the back line he has only Baumann for company and can't keep his feet under the German's heavy pressure. Fair shout for a free kick - which would have resulted in a red card for the defender - but the referee once more remains silent

We've got a game on our hands now!

Lahm - who is fine now - bursts once more down the German left and fires across a tempting low cross along the six yard box. Kuranyi and Schweinsteiger can't seem to decide who should slot it home and neither gets a touch to it. The ball does run to Ballack who looks odds on to convert until Lobanovs hurls himself in front of the German's cross

Up the other end we go where Schweinsteiger (Jesus, I'm getting RSI with these names!) fires a daisy cutter narrowly wide from 20 yards

Immediately after than Verpakovskis breaks into the box and appears to be sandwiched by a pair of german defenders as he bore down on goal. Once more, Mike Riley is not interested though the Latvian player can consider himself unlucky

It's all happening now! Lahm goes for an oscar after being lighly brushed off by Astafjevs but clutching his face like acid had been thrown in it. The referee having none of it.

Frings becomes the latest to see yellow for a cynical tug on an opponent's shirt

Deep cross from Schweinsteiger finds Ballack on the edge of the box stretching to get a head on it and he can only direct it forward. Bauman to the left of the goal tries an improvised volley that flashes across the face of goal to safety

Another corner from the right as an attempted cross from Frings is blocked by Lobanovs

Better start - especially from Germany who this early are looking much more direct and positive

Good work from Kuranyi down the right as he beats Rubins to get to the byline and cross but it is blocked. Frings takes over and he in turn gets round the back to swing in a cross. Zemlinskis heads away under no pressure as Kuranyi lays prostrate appealing for a penalty. No one is fooled

Germany reatin possession and Frings has a pop from dead centre but along way out of goal. Gets behind it well enough but the ball strikes Bobic on the way, taking the sting out of the shot

The substitute's first contribution is to take a corner from the right that is easily dealt with by the Latvian defence

Second half starts and lets hope it brings some goals. Germany have made one change at the break Bastian Schweinsteiger coming on to replace the annonymous Schnieder

An intriguing game without being a classic. After a decent showing against Holland in their first game, Germany, despite the odd moment from Lahm or Kuranyi, have been very poor. Latvia on the other hand have defended deep but looked to exploit the pace of their front two on the break whenever possible. Hard to tell who are the young upstarts and who are the elder statesmen of European football. If Germany - Bobic in particular who has been awful - don't change something at the break I can see L

Half comes to a tame end as both teams look towards the half time break for a rest and team talks that could hardly be different

One minute of added time to be played

Throw in after throw in deep near the German right corner flag as Latvia can't advance and their opponents can't get possession

Long distance effort from Astafjevs goes well over the bar

The Latvian front two deserve some reward for their tireless and positive contributions. Seperated from the rest of the team for long spells, their willingness to run and run - Prohorenkovs was level with Verpakovskis all the way on his run - they are causing the German defence a real headache

Breaking from the halfway line the speed merchant heads slightly to the left as Kahn came out of his goal. Verpakovskis had created the angle but Kahn got down well when he finally went for the far corner and held on to the shot. Verpakovskis could be forgiven for a slightly weak effort after an energy sapping run but some credit should go to the German keeper

Best chance of the match goes to Latvia after a blistering run from Verpakovskis

After a good spell by Germany, the pace of the game has fallen off once more. It is very hot down at pitch level

Prohorenkovs getting stuck in and harrying the German back line. A real physical presence and he's having a good game

Saying that, though, Latvia are very, very fast on the break and one such counter attack almost presents a real chance. Verpakovskis, pace and verve personified, pelts down the left and throws a deep cross over aimed for Prohorenkovs but Worns plays it safe and heads behind. A warning for Germany not to pile forward without thought

Germany enjoying their best spell of the game and suddenly the Latvian defence looks a little shaky. The pace of the game has been raised and it works in the German's favour

Kuranyi, once more dropping deep, collects and turns, skips past his marker with ease before unleashing a solid drive on goal. Kolinko has to be alert and saves well to his right. Great effort and great save

At the other end Kuranyi swings an effort well wide but Lahm collects it on the left and fires a low drive into the box that is well cleared

Opening on the edge of the German box as a clever diagonalo run from Verpakovskis splits the back line. The ball through, however, is too slow in coming and well read by Baumann in the end

In the end Hamann gets bored and has a crack from distance. The Liverpool man packs a mighty shot but not on this ocassion

Once more Germany are happy to send the ball back and forth across their back line and wait for an opening.

Better from the Germans in the last couple of minutes. Kolinko is a little suspect on crosses and they are clearly looking to exploit that. Looks like a good idea

Germany go close twice: first through Ballack who almost gets on the end of a left wing cross right in front of goal. When the ball is returned in, this time from the right, Kuranyi does make contact, 6 yards out and with Kolinko out of position, but glances his header just wide. Best chance so far

Frings, taking the kick from the same part of the field as when scoring against Holland, fires the ball in but some pushing and shoving earns the ref's whistle

Encouraging run from Lahm as the left back carries the ball up to level with the 18 yard line on the left. His probing run is halted only by a foul from Astafjevs

Latvia defending deep and in numbers when Germany have the ball. Kuranyi has to come almost back to the halfway line to collect a short pass and get into the game

Resulting free kick is swung over by Rubins butBaumann is well positioned to head clear

Yellow card makes another apperance as Friedrich is booked for a deliberate handball at the left back position

Game hasn't really come to life yet. Germans playing patiently and Latvia looking to force the game more but without really threatening the goal

Prohorenkovs, perhaps bouyed by his team's good spell, tries a back heel that doesn't come off. Never mind - not many watching after all

Nice spell of pressure by Latvia sees them camped in the German half. Decent cross from the left by Rubins looks dangerous but sails harmlessly over the entire box

Ball into the box from Rubins is a good one but Stepanovs is just a yard short of connecting six yards out. Promising for the Latvians

Menacing from the Latvians as a long ball up to Prohorenkovs sees him nod down for Verpakovskis who in turn lays off for Bleidelis who is fouled 25 yards out

Best pass of the game as Baumann picks out Kuranyi just outside the Latvian box from as far up the other end of the pitch. Neat take down by the striker, turn and first time shot that goes just wide of Kolinko's left hand post. The former Crystal Palce stopper had it covered though, probably.

Both teams happy to concede possession until their own third of the field. Latvia knocking it around well until Ballack makes a strong and decisive intervention and Germany break

...and to be honest, Germany have never been the most popular of sides.

Whistles from the crowd as Germany play a bit of keep ball. The locals in the stadium have clearly picked a side - everyone loves an underdog though, eh?

Bright opening by both sides but no pattern to the game yet or a sign of either team taking control

First shot on goal from Germany as Frings, in yards of space lets one fly from 30 yards. Always rising as it sails over the bar. Perhaps a marker for the German with a decent shot and Latvia would do well not to allow so much space that close to their goal

Free kick for Latvia 25 yards out slightly to the left. Short ball laid off to Prohorenkovs who's shot is slow and into the feet of an advancing German wall

Neat interchange of passes in the Latvia midfield allows Isakovs to seek out Verpakovskis over the top but the ball is far too long

Nice overlap down the right sees Frings with room to cross but before he does the linesman correctly flags for offside

Latvia clearly keen to show they are no pushovers as Prohorenkovs wrestles Worns to the floor and concedes a free-kick

Kahn - playing for Germany and not Latvia as some newspapers have suggested he should (he is an eight Latvian) - called to come out of his area and clear a hopeful punt over the top of the German defence

Isakovs makes his presence felt early on with a crunching tackle on Lahm. Referee Mike Riley also lets them know he is around by dishing out a yellow to the Latvian inside a minute

Germany get us underway in blazing sunshine

'Plucky little' Latvia take on the effective and organised' Germans at the Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI. Will it go with the form book or are Latvia here to make up more than just the numbers. Cliches dealt with and national anthems in full swing we are minutes away from this group D clash that promises much.

Real chance for Germany wasted by Bobic who has been terrible. Kuranyi does well on the right and sends a straight cross along the floor that goes throught he defensive meele and rolls between Bobic and an open goal. He seemed flat on his feet and really needed to do better

Another blistering burst of pace from Verpakovskis sees him faced with Worns to beat for a one on one with Kahn. Worns does well to watch the run and deny the latvian as he sought to cut inside

Free kick for Germany just outside the box, to the right, tempts Ballack to crack one straight down the middle. Kolinko has to satnd firm and puch clear as the bullet heads straight at him. Not the most convincing of saves but effective nonetheless

A much better game than the first half and, despite it still being 0-0, some exciting stuff

Verpakovskis once more looks to have done enough on his own to create a goal. Breaking through the back line he has only Baumann for company and can't keep his feet under the German's heavy pressure. Fair shout for a free kick - which would have resulted in a red card for the defender - but the referee once more remains silent

We've got a game on our hands now!

Lahm - who is fine now - bursts once more down the German left and fires across a tempting low cross along the six yard box. Kuranyi and Schweinsteiger can't seem to decide who should slot it home and neither gets a touch to it. The ball does run to Ballack who looks odds on to convert until Lobanovs hurls himself in front of the German's cross

Up the other end we go where Schweinsteiger (Jesus, I'm getting RSI with these names!) fires a daisy cutter narrowly wide from 20 yards

Immediately after than Verpakovskis breaks into the box and appears to be sandwiched by a pair of german defenders as he bore down on goal. Once more, Mike Riley is not interested though the Latvian player can consider himself unlucky

It's all happening now! Lahm goes for an oscar after being lighly brushed off by Astafjevs but clutching his face like acid had been thrown in it. The referee having none of it.

Frings becomes the latest to see yellow for a cynical tug on an opponent's shirt

Deep cross from Schweinsteiger finds Ballack on the edge of the box stretching to get a head on it and he can only direct it forward. Bauman to the left of the goal tries an improvised volley that flashes across the face of goal to safety

Another corner from the right as an attempted cross from Frings is blocked by Lobanovs

Better start - especially from Germany who this early are looking much more direct and positive

Good work from Kuranyi down the right as he beats Rubins to get to the byline and cross but it is blocked. Frings takes over and he in turn gets round the back to swing in a cross. Zemlinskis heads away under no pressure as Kuranyi lays prostrate appealing for a penalty. No one is fooled

Germany reatin possession and Frings has a pop from dead centre but along way out of goal. Gets behind it well enough but the ball strikes Bobic on the way, taking the sting out of the shot

The substitute's first contribution is to take a corner from the right that is easily dealt with by the Latvian defence

Second half starts and lets hope it brings some goals. Germany have made one change at the break Bastian Schweinsteiger coming on to replace the annonymous Schnieder

An intriguing game without being a classic. After a decent showing against Holland in their first game, Germany, despite the odd moment from Lahm or Kuranyi, have been very poor. Latvia on the other hand have defended deep but looked to exploit the pace of their front two on the break whenever possible. Hard to tell who are the young upstarts and who are the elder statesmen of European football. If Germany - Bobic in particular who has been awful - don't change something at the break I can see L

Half comes to a tame end as both teams look towards the half time break for a rest and team talks that could hardly be different

One minute of added time to be played

Throw in after throw in deep near the German right corner flag as Latvia can't advance and their opponents can't get possession

Long distance effort from Astafjevs goes well over the bar

The Latvian front two deserve some reward for their tireless and positive contributions. Seperated from the rest of the team for long spells, their willingness to run and run - Prohorenkovs was level with Verpakovskis all the way on his run - they are causing the German defence a real headache

Breaking from the halfway line the speed merchant heads slightly to the left as Kahn came out of his goal. Verpakovskis had created the angle but Kahn got down well when he finally went for the far corner and held on to the shot. Verpakovskis could be forgiven for a slightly weak effort after an energy sapping run but some credit should go to the German keeper

Best chance of the match goes to Latvia after a blistering run from Verpakovskis

After a good spell by Germany, the pace of the game has fallen off once more. It is very hot down at pitch level

Prohorenkovs getting stuck in and harrying the German back line. A real physical presence and he's having a good game

Saying that, though, Latvia are very, very fast on the break and one such counter attack almost presents a real chance. Verpakovskis, pace and verve personified, pelts down the left and throws a deep cross over aimed for Prohorenkovs but Worns plays it safe and heads behind. A warning for Germany not to pile forward without thought

Germany enjoying their best spell of the game and suddenly the Latvian defence looks a little shaky. The pace of the game has been raised and it works in the German's favour

Kuranyi, once more dropping deep, collects and turns, skips past his marker with ease before unleashing a solid drive on goal. Kolinko has to be alert and saves well to his right. Great effort and great save

At the other end Kuranyi swings an effort well wide but Lahm collects it on the left and fires a low drive into the box that is well cleared

Opening on the edge of the German box as a clever diagonalo run from Verpakovskis splits the back line. The ball through, however, is too slow in coming and well read by Baumann in the end

In the end Hamann gets bored and has a crack from distance. The Liverpool man packs a mighty shot but not on this ocassion

Once more Germany are happy to send the ball back and forth across their back line and wait for an opening.

Better from the Germans in the last couple of minutes. Kolinko is a little suspect on crosses and they are clearly looking to exploit that. Looks like a good idea

Germany go close twice: first through Ballack who almost gets on the end of a left wing cross right in front of goal. When the ball is returned in, this time from the right, Kuranyi does make contact, 6 yards out and with Kolinko out of position, but glances his header just wide. Best chance so far

Frings, taking the kick from the same part of the field as when scoring against Holland, fires the ball in but some pushing and shoving earns the ref's whistle

Encouraging run from Lahm as the left back carries the ball up to level with the 18 yard line on the left. His probing run is halted only by a foul from Astafjevs

Latvia defending deep and in numbers when Germany have the ball. Kuranyi has to come almost back to the halfway line to collect a short pass and get into the game

Resulting free kick is swung over by Rubins butBaumann is well positioned to head clear

Yellow card makes another apperance as Friedrich is booked for a deliberate handball at the left back position

Game hasn't really come to life yet. Germans playing patiently and Latvia looking to force the game more but without really threatening the goal

Prohorenkovs, perhaps bouyed by his team's good spell, tries a back heel that doesn't come off. Never mind - not many watching after all

Nice spell of pressure by Latvia sees them camped in the German half. Decent cross from the left by Rubins looks dangerous but sails harmlessly over the entire box

Ball into the box from Rubins is a good one but Stepanovs is just a yard short of connecting six yards out. Promising for the Latvians

Menacing from the Latvians as a long ball up to Prohorenkovs sees him nod down for Verpakovskis who in turn lays off for Bleidelis who is fouled 25 yards out

Best pass of the game as Baumann picks out Kuranyi just outside the Latvian box from as far up the other end of the pitch. Neat take down by the striker, turn and first time shot that goes just wide of Kolinko's left hand post. The former Crystal Palce stopper had it covered though, probably.

Both teams happy to concede possession until their own third of the field. Latvia knocking it around well until Ballack makes a strong and decisive intervention and Germany break

...and to be honest, Germany have never been the most popular of sides.

Whistles from the crowd as Germany play a bit of keep ball. The locals in the stadium have clearly picked a side - everyone loves an underdog though, eh?

Bright opening by both sides but no pattern to the game yet or a sign of either team taking control

First shot on goal from Germany as Frings, in yards of space lets one fly from 30 yards. Always rising as it sails over the bar. Perhaps a marker for the German with a decent shot and Latvia would do well not to allow so much space that close to their goal

Free kick for Latvia 25 yards out slightly to the left. Short ball laid off to Prohorenkovs who's shot is slow and into the feet of an advancing German wall

Neat interchange of passes in the Latvia midfield allows Isakovs to seek out Verpakovskis over the top but the ball is far too long

Nice overlap down the right sees Frings with room to cross but before he does the linesman correctly flags for offside

Latvia clearly keen to show they are no pushovers as Prohorenkovs wrestles Worns to the floor and concedes a free-kick

Kahn - playing for Germany and not Latvia as some newspapers have suggested he should (he is an eight Latvian) - called to come out of his area and clear a hopeful punt over the top of the German defence

Isakovs makes his presence felt early on with a crunching tackle on Lahm. Referee Mike Riley also lets them know he is around by dishing out a yellow to the Latvian inside a minute

Germany get us underway in blazing sunshine

'Plucky little' Latvia take on the effective and organised' Germans at the Estadio do Bessa Seculo XXI. Will it go with the form book or are Latvia here to make up more than just the numbers. Cliches dealt with and national anthems in full swing we are minutes away from this group D clash that promises much.