This was the stage for Cristiano Ronaldo to rebuff his critics that have him pegged down as a big-game bottler, but in the Germany vs Portugal European football championship quarterfinal, it was the opposite number seven that shined.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, back from a one-match suspension because of the red card he received in the dying minutes of the group stages match with Croatia, stole the show from his more illustrious opponent, inspiring Germany to a 3:2 win and a place in the Euro 2008 semi-finals.

Two years after scoring two goals and playing a key role in a third in the World Cup third-place play-off against Portugal, Schweinsteiger was once again man of the match, harassing the Portuguese defenders and earning himself a standing ovation from the thousands of German fans in the stands when he was substituted at the end of the match.

Germany's underpar performance so far in the tournament made Portugal the favourite to advance, but the tactics of head coach Joachim Loew, who had to watch the match from one of the luxury boxes in the St Jakob-Park stadium in Basel after being banished to the stands against Austria, paid off.

Loew opted to play with five men in midfield, overloading the middle of the park and leaving little space for the Portuguese to play their preferred brand of skillful football. The tactic proved successful in that Portugal found it hard to penetrate the German lines of defence, but even when they did, fortune did not appear to be on their side.

Joao Moutinho wasted the first clear-cut chance of the match in the 21st minute, sending the cross of Chelsea-bound full-back Jose Bosingwa just over the bar from three metres out. Moutinho's wavering whether to head the ball or kick it resulted in it bouncing off his knee, a mistake that Germany made him regret instantaneously by scoring the first goal.

A brilliant team move saw Lukas Podolski run away from his marker down the left wing and send a cross into the penalty area, where Schweinsteiger managed to get ahead of both defender Paolo Ferreira and goalkeeper Ricardo to turn the ball in. Even in a tournament that has featured a number of great team goals, it stands out as one of the best.

Poor defending four minutes later saw Germany go two goals up, Miroslav Klose gifted a free header from a Schweinsteiger free kick, which he did not waste, even if it did look like the ball glanced off his shoulder.

Portugal did not appear too worried by such a turn of events, though they did step up their attacks, which paid off three mintues before the half-time whistle, Nuno Gomes scoring from the rebound of Ronaldo's shot that was saved by Jens Lehmann.

It was one of the few moments of brilliance from Ronaldo in this match, who, much like the rest of the Portuguese team, appeared sluggish rather than fresh after being given a break for the last game of the group stage, by which point Portugal had already secured top spot in the group.

At the opposite end, Schweinsteiger played like he had a point to prove and once again turned provider for Germany's third goal. It was a carbon copy of Klose's strike, except it was German captain Michael Ballack who scored in the 61st minute, highlighting once again the unease of Portuguese players in defending high balls.

Despite enjoying a lot more possession time, Portugal struggled to make anything of it and came close to conceding yet another goal, but Podolski's long-range effort with ten minutes to go was inches wide of the post.

Portugal was handed a glimmer of hope with three minutes left, when more comical defending, this time by German players, resulted in Helder Postiga being left alone in the penalty area, his header leaving Lehmann no chance. A frantic seven minutes ensued, but Portugal could not muster the strength to equalise and send the match into extra-time.

Germany will now face Croatia or Turkey, who will play their quarterfinal match on June 20. Croatia go in as the favourites, their odds boosted by the absence of two key players in the Turkish squad - goalkeeper Volkan Demirel and midfielder Mehmet Aurelio, both suspended. Should the Croats progress, they will hold little fear of Germany, whom they defeated 2:1 in the group stage.