Portugal booked their place in the final of the European Under-21 Championship by hammering Germany 5-0 at the Andruv stadion this evening.
Bernardo Silva fired the Portuguese ahead and further goals from Ricardo and Ivan Cavaleiro saw them take a three-goal lead into the break.
Within a minute of the second half Joao Mario's deflected strike extended their advantage further, before Ricardo Horta headed in a fifth goal from Joao Cancelo's cross.
Germany's miserable night was compounded late on when substitute Leonardo Bittencourt was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Find out how the action unfolded below.
Hello everyone! We've reached the last four of this year's European Under-21 Championship and a place in the final is up for grabs. Later this evening Denmark will be taking on Sweden, but our first semi-final sees two heavyweights collide, as Germany face Portugal.
We'll take a closer look at how each team has fared so far in the tournament in just a few moments, but first lets find out who will be starting the match, as the team news is in!
Behind the scenes with @DFB_Junioren #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/DHRtYzxiwE
— UEFA Under-21 (@UEFAUnder21) June 27, 2015
PORTUGAL XI: Sa, Esgaio, Raphael, Paulo Oliveira, Ilori, William, Sergio Oliveira, Joao Mario, Bernardo Silva, Cavaleiro, Ricardo
GERMANY XI: Ter Stegen, Korb, Ginter, Schulz, Heintz, Gunter, Geis, Younes, Can, Kimmich, Volland
So, that's how the teams will be lining up this evening. Let's begin with a look at Portugal, who have named the same starting XI that took on Sweden earlier this week. As you can see, the highly-rated William Carvalho keeps his spot in the midfield along with Bernardo Silva and Sergio Oliviera, while Ricardo leads the attack. It does mean that Goncalo Paciencia has to settle for a place on the bench, despite his goal last time out.
Meanwhile, Germany have brought Johannes Geis into their midfield to replace Max Meyer. The big names such as Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Emre Can are both included, while captain Kevin Volland starts up front and will be his side's main source of goals this evening.
The Germans didn't have many problems getting through their group, as draws against Serbia and the Czech Republic and a thumping win over Denmark saw them progress. They came into the tournament as favourites and their hopes of repeating their 2009 triumph are still very much alive.
It was also a good start for Portugal, who began their campaign with a narrow win over England, before stalemates with Italy and Sweden put them through on top of the group. Many have praised them for their displays, but question marks have been raised over their lack of goals, as they have scored just twice so far.
William Carvalho arriving for #U21EURO action ... pic.twitter.com/s9ePS0bQx0
— UEFA Under-21 (@UEFAUnder21) June 27, 2015
While the Germans have been victorious once in this tournament, the Portuguese are yet to taste success. They finished runners up to Italy in 1994, but this is the first time that they have reached the knockout stages in 11 years.
Following our coverage of this match, we'll be bringing you all the action from the other semi-final between Scandinavian rivals Denmark and Sweden. That game is set to kick off at 8pm, so even if we go to extra time and penalties here you won't miss a minute.
KICKOFF! We are underway at the Andruv stadion!
There hasn't been too much to report in the early stages of this match, but I can tell you that Tobias Figueiredo is starting for Portugal ahead of Tiago Ilori, who has been suffering from a thigh problem. We'll have to see what effect that last-minute change makes to the Portuguese defence.
It has been a slow start to the game, with no chances created by either side yet. It does seem like winning the midfield battle will be key tonight, as that is where the ball has been for most of these opening minutes.
Germany almost work an opening as Schulz slips a ball in behind the defence looking for the run of Volland. The skipper gets ahead of the defence and almost latches onto the pass, but Sa is out quickly off his line to gather the ball.
Down the other end Portugal show their threat and they pass the around sharply before finding Silva down the left. The Monaco player then lifts a teasing cross into the six-yard box looking for Ricardo, but Heintz is back to make the clearance with a towering header to stop the danger.
The pace of the game is starting to pick up now, with the two nations getting into more dangerous attacking positions. On this occasion the Germans win a free kick around 30 yards out from goal and Geis steps up to take it, but he can only end up smashing the ball high over the bar.
OFF THE POST! Portugal come within inches of taking the lead with the first big chance of the evening. Ricardo shows great strength to burst down the right, before cutting inside and playing the ball back to Oliveira just outside the box. The captain then sidefoots a low effort towards the bottom right corner that has Ter Stegen beaten, before crashing back off the post.
YELLOW CARD! Esgaio picks up a booking for Portugal following a trip on Schulz by the halfway line.
At this stage of the match, the Portuguese are enjoying more of the ball and they played it around with ease between their midfielders. They have looked extremely good throughout the tournament when in possession, but they have not always made the most of their chances.
YELLOW CARD! It's another booking and this time it's Kimmich who is shown a card for hauling back Oliveira.
GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Germany (Bernardo Silva)
Portugal have been the better team in this opening half and they take the lead thanks to a wonderful team goal. Bernardo Silva flicks the ball on to Cavaleiro, before continuing his run into the box. He then latches onto a fine pass from his teammate, and gets the ball out of his feet, before firing a powerful strike past Ter Stegen at his near post. It was a superb goal and no more than the Esperancas deserve.
Portugal could have a problem here, as Cavaleiro is down and receiving treatment. He appeared to pick up a knock on his knee in a challenge with Geis and his manager will be hoping that it is nothing too serious.
GOAL! Portugal 2-0 Germany (Ricardo)
Portugal are absolutely flying now as they extend their lead to take a big step closer to the final. Silva whips in a corner from the right that is flicked on by Oliveira and into the path of Ricardo, who has the simple task of turning the ball home from just a few yards out.
CHANCE! What a chance this is for Germany to get back into the match. Kimmich does well to work some room inside the box, before firing in a strike that is beaten away by Sa. The rebound then drops kindly to Schulz on the edge of the box, but he ends up blazing the ball high over the bar, when the goal was very much gaping.
Since falling two goals behind, Germany have started to come forward as they search for a way back into the match. They are looking dangerous down the right and this Korb latches onto Can's pass, but his low cross into the box is smothered by Sa.
Portugal seem happy to sit back and soak up the pressure from the Germans, with half time just a few minutes away. When they win possession back from their opponents they are looking a real threat on the counter attack and they know that another goal will surely kill this tie.
SAVE! Sa has made some fantastic saves for Portugal in this tournament and he keeps his team's two-goal lead intact here. Younes tries his luck with a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but the keeper dives at full stretch to his left to palm the ball behind.
GOAL! Portugal 3-0 Germany (Ivan Cavaleiro)
It's surely game over now, as Portugal score their third goal of the match. Once again it's another fine team move, that is finished off by Cavaleiro, who places a delightful finish from the edge of the box into the top corner after being teed up by Mario.
HALF-TIME: Portugal 3-0 Germany
The whistle blows for half time at the Andruv stadion and Portugal are surely heading for the final. They were simply fantastic in the opening 45 minutes and they have finally shown their class in front of goal, with Germany left shell shocked.
Portugal No1 José Sá has enjoyed the first half #U21EURO pic.twitter.com/pNLkgDkSEb
— UEFA Under-21 (@UEFAUnder21) June 27, 2015
The statistics from that opening half don't quite do justice to Portugal's performance. The Germans have actually seen more of the ball, with 52% of the possession. Portugal have also managed just one more shot than their opponents, but they have looked so much better in the final third and their all-round game has been a joy to watch.
There have been plenty of outstanding performances from the Portuguese, but William Carvalho has stood out the most. The Sporting Lisbon player has dominated the midfield and he has shown his strength and quality throughout. It's no wonder that he has been linked with a move to pretty much every big club this summer.
Germany take the kick off for the second half and get the match back underway
GOAL! Portugal 4-0 Germany (Joao Mario)
We've only had a minute of the second half, but Portugal have already extended their lead. Joao Mario is found on the edge of the box by Ricardo and he fires in a strike that takes a wicked deflection and flies beyond the stranded Ter Stegen. That should put the seal on this semi-final, but you wouldn't bet against any more goals from the Portuguese.
SUBSTITUTIONS: With all the excitement of that goal I had no time to tell you about a couple of half-time changes. Meyer is now on for Germany in place of Geis, while Horta has replaced Cavaleiro for Portugal.
SUBSTITUTIONS: More changes to tell you about now from each team. Rafael Silva is on for the scorer of the first goal Bernardo Silva, while Bittencourt has replaced Schulz for the Germans.
A few years ago in this tournament, Sweden came from three goals down in their semi-final to draw against England, before eventually losing on penalties. It would take something even more special now from the Germans to progress, but you have to say that it doesn't look like happening.
Portugal have taken the sting out of this match and they are keeping possession well from their opponents. They look as if they are capable of scoring another goal when they break at pace, while the Germans have not created anything since the break.
You just wonder if Germany manager Horst Hrubesch is regretting his decision to play Geis ahead of Meyer. The change was slightly unexpected and his team have struggled to dominate the midfield battle and look a danger going forward.
I spoke about how well Carvalho had played in the first half and he has picked up where he left off since the break. He deserves a goal for his efforts, but his latest strike from range isn't the best and flies well over the bar.
YELLOW CARD! Bittencourt picks up the first booking of the second half for a rash challenge on Oliveira.
SUBSTITUTION: Third and final change for Portugal, with Cancelo replacing Guerreiro.
Germany look like they just want the final whistle to blow, to bring an end to their torment. They had come into the competition as the favourites, but they are going to have to wait a bit longer to add to their 2009 triumph.
GOAL! Portugal 5-0 Germany (Ricardo Horta)
I did say that there were more goals in this for Portugal and they have now grabbed their fifth of the evening. Substitute Horta is the man who gets his name on the scoresheet with a firm header at the near post from Cancelo's teasing cross.
RED CARD TO GERMANY! Things keep getting worse for Germany as Bittencourt is sent off for a horrible lunge on Cancelo that earns him a second yellow card. He had only been on the field for 24 minutes and now his team must finish with 10 men.
There really was no need for Bittencourt to make that challenge and he could easily have been shown a straight red if he hadn't already been booked. The Germans are badly struggling and heading out of the tournament, but there's no need to take out their frustration on the opposition.
If Portugal weren't already in complete control, then they certainly are now as we head into the final 10 minutes. They will definitely be playing in next week's final and I'm sure they will be watching Sweden's clash with Denmark later this evening to find out who they will be facing.
Portugal are still playing their passing game, as they see out the remaining minutes of this contest. I'm sure that many of these players in their side will go on to have fantastic careers at senior level for their country, with some surely set for big-money moves on the club stage too.
SUBSTITUTION: Germany make their third and final change of the match, with Klaus coming on for the final minutes to replace Korb.
There are going to be at least two minutes of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: Portugal 5-0 Germany
It's all over and Portugal have booked their place in the final of the European Under-21 Championship. They produced a wonderful display to hammer the favourites Germany 5-0 and they will now set their sights on going all the way in the tournament for the first time in their history.
© Getty Images
Right, that's just about all we've got time for this evening, after a stunning game of football. That's not all for the live action today, as we'll have coverage of the second semi-final between Denmark and Sweden coming up for you in just a bit. There's also live coverage of the Copa America quarter-final between Brazil and Paraguay, which kicks off at 10.30pm this evening. Until then, goodbye!
Written by
Alex Meyers
Alex Meyers
Spain U21s
