There's an age-old saying, often used in business team-bonding sessions. "There's no 'I' in 'team'". The suggestion being an individual can best get results by working effectively as part of a team, rather than looking after their own interests.

That point was certainly proved in last night's quarter final, where a disciplined and well organised Germany prevailed over the collection of individuals that represented Portugal.

Germany's manager Jogi Loew made the crucial decision to alter his team's formation for the match, dropping a striker - Mario Gomez - from his lineup and asking Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski to run the channels in support of lone front man Miroslav Klose. It was a departure from the traditional 4-4-2 formation and one designed to counter the threat of Portugal's wide players.

It worked superbly.

Just comparing the two number sevens demonstrates the difference between the two sides. While Ronaldo pouted, sulked and struggled to have an influence on the game, his opposite number produced a man of the match performance.

Schweinsteiger scored the first, then made the second and third with pinpoint free-kick deliveries in what was one of the most impressive individual performances by a player in these championships.

Crucially, despite playing in a forward role, Germany's number seven tracked back, defended from the front and provided a constant outlet when Germany had the ball. Ronaldo, however did not.

Instead, the Manchester United (for now) winger was forced to wander infield in search of possession, only to be closed down almost immediately by the tireless German midfield. Ronaldo's at his best with the ball at his feet, running at defenders at pace. Germany never let him get into his stride.

And with Ronaldo effectively stifled, Portugal needed inspiration from elsewhere, but such was the reliance on their much-hyped star, when others were called upon to make a difference, they failed miserably.

Some of the decision making by the Portuguese players beggared belief. It was almost as if they were ignoring their teammates, instead looking to do it all on their own. Nani and Simao in particular were guilty of this, ignoring the simple, killer pass in favour of wildly-optimistic attempts at goal. Both are highly-rated wingers, but both played at times like greedy gloryhunting schoolboys in the playground. There's nothing wrong with backing your own ability, but the best players know when to pass and when to shoot. Nani and Simao clearly didn't last night.

The lack of cohesion in the Portuguese ranks also contributed to two of Germany's goals. Luiz Felipe Scolari explained after the match that the goals were scored because the players changed their marking assignments from those given to them by the management. It cost them dear.

Most pundits had Portugal, with their gifted squad, as favourites for this match, but despite their supposed technical deficiencies, Germany claimed a fully-deserved victory. They may not have the better players, but there was no arguing who was the better team. And that team is through to the semi-finals.