Germany's Michael Ballack (right) and Christoph Metzelder celebrate after Ballack scored his side's third goal during their quarter-final against Portugal yesterday. Germany won 3-2. - AP

BASEL, Switzerland (AP):

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER scored one goal and set up two more yesterday 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 by scoring 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 had 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 past 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. Lukas Podolski set up a couple of short passing combinations and sped off much like Ronaldo would do. In the centre, Schweinsteiger beat Ferreira for pace, and given the perfect low cross slotted it past Ricardo for the opener in the 22nd.

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

"There is always something left. Everything is possible in football," Schweinsteiger said. "We can battle."

Perfect comeback

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

"We cannot allow two goals from set pieces against a team like Germany. That made the difference," said Postiga, who had brought Portugal close with a header in the 87th minute.

Portugal coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, criticised referee Peter Frojdfeldt for allowing Ballack's goal.

"We made some mistakes in the first two goals, but I can contest the third and television can show it clearly," he said, complaining about Ballack's muscular intervention.

Now, the Germans will play the winner of today's quarter-final 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.

In the final minutes yesterday, Loew was lighting cigarettes in the skybox and, once the match was over, all the players came over to wave and point to him.

"We played for the coach," Schweinsteiger said.

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 Co.

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