Mario Gomez scored two first-half goals Wednesday to give Germany a 2-1 win over the Netherlands in one of the most anticipated showdowns of the European Championship, AP reported. Robin van Persie pulled one back for the Netherlands in the second half but the defeat leaves the 2010 World Cup runner-up on the brink of elimination. Germany has six points from two wins but is still not sure of advancing from Group B, where three teams could end up with six points. Earlier, Portugal beat Denmark 3-2. The Netherlands, along with Germany considered one of the favorites but drawn into a tough group, now has lost both group games and needs to beat Portugal to have a hope. Germany will need only a draw against Denmark to win the group. Gomez put Germany ahead in the 24th minute after collecting a pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger at the edge of the penalty area and turning between two Dutch defenders, who were betting on an offside call. But Gregory van der Wiel failed to move forward quickly enough and Gomez had a simple task in slotting past Maarten Stekelenburg. Stekelenburg made a stunning reflex save to stop Holger Badstuber's header from a free kick cross from Mesut Oezil from point-blank range in the 37th, but one minute later he was beaten again. Gomez and Schweinsteiger outplayed the Dutch defense with two simple moves. Gomez passed to the ball to Schweinsteiger, who immediately played it into space for Gomez and the striker slotted inside the far post. Gomez went off in the 72nd minute and was replaced by Miroslav Klose - but one minute later Van Persie finally found the target for the Dutch, driving home from the edge of the box in the 73rd.
