Half-Time Report: Portugal Under-21s on verge of Euro 2015 final with three-goal lead against Germany Under-21s

Portugal Under-21s are in pole position to qualify for the final of Euro 2015 as they lead Germany Under-21s 3-0 at the break in their semi-final clash in Olomouc.

Portugal were brighter in the opening stages of the game but their opponents came close to opening the scoring eight minutes in when Nico Schulz's throughball intended for Kevin Volland was claimed at the last by onrushing goalkeeper Jose Sa.

Rui Jorge's charges soon upped the tempo and struck the post on the quarter-hour mark through captain Sergio Oliveira, who collected Ricardo's pullback and smashed an effort against the woodwork.

Despite this reprieve for Germany, there could be no complaints when Portugal took the lead 25 minutes in, as Bernardo Silva combined well with Ricardo down the left flank and drove the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

It would get even worse for Horst Hrubesch's side because, just eight minutes later, the Iberian nation doubled their lead, Silva's corner being flicked on by Paulo Oliveira, with Ricardo free at the back post to tap home.

Germany stepped it up a gear in the latter stages of the first half, most notably through Joshua Kimmich, whose strike was parried by Sa in the direction of Schulz, whose effort flew over.

Despite the increased likelihood of the Nationalelf claiming a goal back, Portugal went on to increase their lead on the stroke of half time as Ivan Cavaleiro fired a powerful shot from the edge of the area into the top corner.