The German Pro Club team cannot follow up the World Championship title by winning the Eurocup. Portugal was too strong in the final
It would have been the rounding off of a harmonious chapter if the German team had also defeated Portugal in FIFA 22’s Pro Club mode on Wednesday evening. Germany have been the reigning world champions in virtual 11vs11 since 2021, narrowly missing out on the double victory.
Through a commanding group phase and knockout victories over Italy (0:1, 3:1) and Georgia (3:1, 0:0), Team Germany had fought its way into the Euro Cup final against Portugal since the end of March. The continental champion was determined in a format of first and second legs with cumulative results.
Germany finds quick answer
The German team, however, could not fully build on their strong previous performances in the final: Ten minutes into the game after the first leg, the team caught the 0:1 through Felipe ‘JUV-Brecha’ Brecha (55.) in the course of a neat Portuguese corner variation.
However, thanks to great resilience, a beautiful combination through the middle led to an equaliser (58th). Dominic Alexius ‘ArCeZ’ Günther marked the important 1:1 and at the same time the final score of the first leg – the final was completely open again.
‘JP Barros10’ decides with a brace
In the second leg, however, Team Germany fell victim to their own defensive negligence: after a Portuguese attack down the right, they failed to clear consistently on several occasions. This time, the Iberians took the lead much earlier through Joao Pedro ‘JPBarros10’ Barros (13th).
Portugal then gained the upper hand and had the better chances – including a saved penalty (31st). Germany’s hopes for an equaliser remained alive until the final minutes – ‘JPBarros10’, however, ensured the 2:0 and the decision (85th) after German mistakes in the build-up play.
Günther succinct: “Not our best game “
The Portuguese are the deserved winners of both Euro Cup finals. Team Germany was not compelling enough offensively and made one or two too many mistakes defensively. “We were not able to play our best game,” analysed team manager Markus ‘Salva’ Günther.
