Portugal thrash Germany in Euro U21s semi-finals

Portugal turned on the style to beat Germany 5-0 in the Euro 2015 Under-21s Championships semi-final in Olomouc.

Portugal, who have never won the trophy, reached the final for the first time since 1994 thanks to first-half goals from Bernardo Silva, Ricardo and Ivan Cavaleiro, and second half strikes from Joao Mario and substitute Ricardo Horta.

Germany preferred Johannes Geis in midfield in place of new Schalke team-mate Max Meyer, a statement of intent from manager Horst Hrubesch that he intended to man mark Silva and try and disrupt the Portuguese quick passing game.

The tactic failed miserably, as Silva shimmied across the midfield at the Ander Stadium with a third man-of-the match performance of the tournament.

So dominant were Portugal that manager Rui Jorge was able to substitute Silva after Portugal went 4-0 up a minute after the break.

Germany's famed discipline evaporated in the second-half, with substitute Leonardo Bittencourt sent off for two reckless challenges as Portugal played keepball in the final stages.

Portugal, playing in their first European Championships since 2007, will meet Sweden in Tuesday's final in Prague.

14' – HITS THE POST! Carvalho puts in Ricardo down the right channel, and he cuts inside the full-back before teeing up Sergio Oliveira, who sees his shot cannon off the post.

24' -GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Germany.Bernardo Silva breaks from midfield with a brilliant first touch round the corner, and then finishes from Cavaleiro's return pass down the left channel.

32' -GOAL! Portugal 2-0 Germany. Bernardo Silva's corner is prodded home by an unmarked Ricardo at the far post after ter Stegen comes for the ball, and then stops.

36' - CHANCE! Schulz shoots well over from the edge of the box after Sa deflects the ball into his pass with a save at the near post from Kimmich.

45' -SAVE! Younes drops the shoulder on the edge of the area to beat Paulo Oliveira, and forces a good save low to his left from Portugal goalkeeper Sa.

45+1' - GOAL! Portugal 3-0 Germany. Portugal break and Ricardo crosses for Joao Mario, who cushions the ball in the area back for Ivan Cavaleiro to thump a finish past ter Stegen.

47' - GOAL! Portugal 4-0 Germany. Bernardo Silva drives across the goal and sets up Ricardo, who tees up Joao Mario to shoot, via a deflection off Heintz, past ter Stegen.

54' – SAVE! Meyer tries a snapshot from the edge of the area that is easily saved by Sa down to his right.

71' - GOAL! Portugal 5-0 Germany. Horta pokes home deftly at the near post from a cross from his fellow substitute Joao Cancelo down the left.

75 '- RED CARD! Bittencourt makes another rash challenge and receives a second yellow card for that tackle on Cancelo.

The countries have now met 11 times at U21 level with five wins for Portugal, three wins for Germany and three draws.

Portugal's win end Germany's 14-match unbeaten run in competitive fixtures.

Portugal have yet to go behind in a match during this tournament.

The last time Portugal made the final of the Euro Under-21 championships was in 1994, where a team that included Luis Figo and Manuel Rui Costa went down 1-0 to Italy.

The defeat is Germany's biggest in the Euro Under-21 championships – their previous highest defeat was the 3-0 loss to France in 2006.

Bernardo Silva (Portugal) The Monaco midfielder played just 49 minutes at the Ander Stadium, but by then his work was done and manager Rui Jorge opted to take him off to allow him to rest ahead of Tuesday's final. The 20-year-old scored the first goal with an emphatic finish, and had a hand in two more goals as he brushed off Johannes Geis' attempts to man mark him out of the match.

Portugal: Sa 7, Esgaio 7, Paulo Oliveira 7, Figueiredo 7, Guerreiro 7, Carvalho 8, Sergio Oliveira 8, Mario 7, Silva 7, Ricardo 7, Cavaleiro 7. Subs: Cancelo 8, Horta 8, Rafa Silva 7.

Germany: Ter Stegen 6, Korb 6, Gunter 5, Ginter 5, Schulz 5, Heintz 6, Geis 4, Can 5, Kimmich 6, Younes 6, Volland 4. Subs: Klaus 5, Bittencourt 4, Meyer 5.