Gomez gives Germany the points

LVIV, Ukraine (AFP) –

German forward Lukas Podolski (L) celebrates a goal by German forward Mario Gomez (C) as during the Euro 2012 football match at the Arena Lviv. Germany won 1-0.

A second-half header from Mario Gomez gave three-time champions Germany a winning start to their Euro 2012 campaign on Saturday, clinching a 1-0 Group B win over Portugal.

Germany coach Joachim Loew gambled in benching veteran striker Miroslav Klose – but the move paid off as Gomez met a Sami Khedira cross on 73 minutes to head powerfully past Rui Patricio and break the deadlock in a cagey match.

Portugal had their chances and could have been ahead before the break after Real Madrid defender Pepe saw a curling effort strike the underside of the bar and bounce down on the line.

Manchester United winger Nani floated a late effort onto the bar but the Germans held firm as Gomez netted his 23rd international goal before giving way to Klose.

Silvestre Varela should have levelled for the Portuguese at the death but sent an effort from eight yards straight at German keeper Manuel Neuer before Nani had another shot deflected out for a corner.