Lahm chops down Turkey

Lahm celebrates his late winner

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Teams

• Germany
• Turkey

Players

• Semih Senturk
• Bastian Schweinsteiger

• More Players +

  • Miroslav Klose
  • Philipp Lahm
  • Ugur Boral

Also see

• Match analysis
• Photo gallery
• Germany reaction
• Turkey reaction

Philipp Lahm's last-gasp goal gave Germany a thrilling 3-2 win over Turkey to book their place in the final of Euro 2008.

Full-back Lahm struck in the final minute to finally end depleted Turkey's dreams of causing a major upset.

Semih Senturk appeared to have sent the game into extra-time when he equalised four minutes from time only for Lahm to win the game for Germany in the 90th minutes

Turkey took the lead midway through the first half when Ugur Boral scrambled the ball home past Jens Lehmann after Colin Kazim-Richards's looping effort came back off the crossbar.

The lead proved short-lived as Bastian Schweinsteiger equalised for Germany five minutes later when he cleverly flicked in a cross from Lukas Podolski.

Miroslav Klose gave Germany the lead on 79 minutes when he headed home after a mistake by Turkey goalkeeper Rustu Recber.

Turkey refused to lie down and Semih drew them level when he converted Sabri Sarioglu's cross at the near post.

The game looked destined to head into extra-time until Lahm played a one-two with Thomas Hitzlsperger to go clear on goal and he kept his cool to drive the ball high past Rustu.

Turkish side were still much the quicker out of the blocks and enjoyed a brilliant start to the game, with Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann needed to be alert to efforts from Kazim-Richards and Hamit Altintop in the first 10 minutes.

Turkey then struck the woodwork in the 13th minute through London-born Kazim-Richards, whose rising shot crashed against the top of the crossbar from 12 yards out following an Ayhan Akman cut-back.

Opener

The chance came after Kazim-Richards had hit the Germany crossbar for the second time - this time with an effort that looped up into the air and onto the bar - and Boral was on hand to slot home the rebound, despite Lehmann's best efforts on the line.

Turkey's joy was shortlived though, as Germany equalised with their first chance of the match five minutes later through Schweinsteiger.

Podolski sent over a low cross from the left and Schweinsteiger darted in front of Mehmet Topal and with the outside of his right foot guided the ball across Rustu and into the far corner of the net.

Opportunities were coming thick and fast at both ends with Semih's header saved by Lehmann, who was then almost left red-faced by Altintop's deep free-kick, which the former Arsenal goalkeeper misjudged and needed to dive backwards to

tip over.

Podolski then wasted a gilt-edged chance for Germany when he was put clean through by Hitzlsperger, only for the Bayern Munich man to blaze over with just Rustu to beat.

Turkey goalscorer Boral stung the knuckles of Lehmann with a free-kick before Sabri fired just over from distance as the underdogs finished the first half just as they started it - in total control.

The match was more of an even contest in the second half, with the two defences looking much less charitable than the opening period.

The ever-threatening Boral fired a rare shot at Lehmann in the 71st minute before Germany midfielder Hitzlsperger saw his left-footed effort go just wide of the top corner.

Mistake

Rustu looked favourite to come out and claim Lahm's lofted cross into the area, but Klose beat both Rustu and Topal to the ball to send a glancing header into an unguarded net.

That might have spelt the end of some side's hopes, but Turkey had proven themselves an obstinate opponent in the three previous matches and, astonishingly, they managed to net yet another late goal.

Sabri sent over a low cross and Semih managed to poke the ball past Lehmann at his near post.

That was not the end of the drama though as Germany showed their own determination by netting a last-gasp winner through Lahm.

Lahm raced into the Turkey area before being picked out by Hitzlsperger, and the Bayern Munich full-back showed remarkable composure to fire past Rustu into the near top corner, sending Germany into the final.