Bastian Schweinsteiger set its attention to revenge win over Croatia after guiding Germany in the Euro 2008 quarter-final with a man pre-match against Portugal on display.
The Bayern Munich star, returning home after being sent off in the Group B match against Croatia, resulting in his suspension for the final pool Thursday against Austria, opened the score and then create other goals for Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack that the Germans had missed winning 3-2 in Basel's St Jakob-Park.
Nuno Gomes pulled one back for Portugal five minutes before half-time to 2-1 and substitute Helder Postiga has Luiz Felipe Scolari aside a glimmer of hope three minutes from the end but the Euro 2004 finalists could not force an equaliser.
Joachim Löw team will return to Basle on Wednesday for the first semi-final against either Croatia or Turkey, who contest the penultimate-eight equal Friday.
And Schweinsteiger Germany hopes to have the chance to make amends for their 2-1 defeat by Slaven Bilic the side in the pool phase.
"Yes, of course, we would like Croatia," he said of his own semi-final foes.
The 23 years, believes Germany have already seen off "probably the best team in the competition thanks to their collective spirit, but played his own heroism.
"Yes, I marked and setting up another, but this is a team achievement," he said.
"It's that Germany virtues have served us very well. We played probably the best team in the tournament and we won - which goes to show what team spirit we have. "
Schweinsteiger has promised to managers German "great performance" before the match, according to assistant Löw Hans-Dieter Flick.
"I trust my strength," said the player. "I knew I was in good shape, and I had the confidence of the team and coaches.
"I know what I'm capable of doing and what I am willing to do to help the team.
"The team has also supported me and even that coaches".
Germany only won their place in the last eight with a 1-0 victory Monday over Austria holding the second place of Group B behind Croatia.
"It was not easy at the beginning Championships in Europe," said Schweinsteiger. "But we've always wanted to play for the team."
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