Mario Gomez's first-half double sent Germany to the brink of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Holland, whose own hopes of reaching the last eight now hang by a thread.
Gomez, who had scored the winner in Germany's opening win over Portugal, opened the scoring in the 24th minute and added his second in the 38th before Robin van Persie reduced the deficit 17 minutes from time.
Holland were suddenly dominant, with Van Persie having a penalty appeal waved away before Arjen Robben expressed his frustration at being substituted by exiting the pitch on the far side of the field in front of the Dutch fans.
They couldn't equalise and the result means Germany need just a point from their final Group B game against Denmark to guarantee progression, while Holland need to beat Portugal and hope for both a Germany win and a swing in goal difference.
Gomez, who had scored the winner in Germany's opening win over Portugal, opened the scoring in the 24th minute and added his second in the 38th before Robin van Persie reduced the deficit 17 minutes from time.
Holland were suddenly dominant, with Van Persie having a penalty appeal waved away before Arjen Robben expressed his frustration at being substituted by exiting the pitch on the far side of the field in front of the Dutch fans.
They couldn't equalise and the result means Germany need just a point from their final Group B game against Denmark to guarantee progression, while Holland need to beat Portugal and hope for both a Germany win and a swing in goal difference.