Basel, June 19:

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored one goal and set up two more on Thursday to give Germany a 3-2 win over Portugal and a spot in the European Championship semi-finals.

In the battle between Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea’s Michael Ballack, the German came out on top. He delivered the deciding blow when heading in the third goal in the 61st minute, shoving away Paulo Ferreira and heading past an out-of-position Ricardo.

It was the first time Germany moved into the final four since they won in 1996, and it was also the first time Portugal failed to make the semi-finals in the last three international tournaments. Miroslav Klose also scored for Germany, while Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga had goals for Portugal.

The Germans started the upset with a move in the best Portuguese tradition. Podolski set up a couple of short passing combinations and sped off much like Ronaldo would do. In the center, Schweinsteiger beat Ferreira for pace, and given the perfect low cross slotted it past Ricardo in the 22nd.

Portugal were surprised at such light-footed creativity from Germany and before they knew it, they were down 2-0. Schweinsteiger swung in a free kick from near midfield. Ronaldo remained flat-footed while Klose sped by him and knocked the ball past Ricardo.

The sterling performance from Schweinsteiger was a perfect comeback for the midfielder, after he had been sent off for a petulant shove on an opponent in Germany’s 2-1 loss to Croatia.

Now, the Germans will play the winner of Friday’s quarter-final match between Turkey and Croatia. Germany prevailed even though coach Joachim Loew was banned from the game by UEFA after getting sent to the stands during the final group game, a 1-0 win

over Austria.

They could have used his help when they were up 2-0, but Loew was sitting high in the stands, unable to influence his players. Instead of keeping up the defensive pressure, they fell back, a perilous choice against Ronaldo and Company.

The Manchester United forward finally found the tall Per Mertesacker wanting in the 40th minute, zoomed and rifled a shot at Lehmann. The goalkeeper could only deflect it in the path of Nuno Gomes and the captain brought Portugal back within striking distance before halftime.

The first half brought the strange spectacle where the best No 7 was not Ronaldo but Schweinsteiger. The best midfielder was not Ballack but Deco. Ronaldo, touted as the greatest at the Euro 2008 fields, was held in a tight zone defense that found him increasingly frustrated.