Brave Latvia deny Germany victory

Germany 0 Latvia 0

Germany face an uphill battle to qualify for the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 after being held to a goalless draw by a determined Latvia side at Porto’s Estadio do Bessa in a Group D match.

The Germans enjoyed the vast majority of the possession and laid siege to the Latvian goal, especially in the second half, but failed to break down the supposed outsiders in the competition’s ‘Group of Death’.

It was not all one way, however, and Latvia’s Maris Verpakovskis was only denied a brilliant solo goal by a fine Oliver Kahn save while the same player was also denied a couple of penalty appeals by English referee Mike Riley.

The best chance of the day, however, came in injury time, as substitute Miroslav Klose - hero of the World Cup two years ago - headed wide for Germany with the goal gaping in stoppage time.

The result puts huge pressure on Germany's hopes of qualifying from Group D.