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Gomez relieved to get goal monkey off back

Gomez, long under fire for shooting blanks at big tournaments, has notched three goals in two games after also hitting the target in the Germans' opening win over Portugal.

"After that goal against Portugal I thought things would be easier and that there would be support for me from all sides," the 26-year-old told reporters on Friday. "That was not the case."

His first goal against Netherlands, however, created by a lovely piece of skill inside the box, was his answer to the critics, one of whom accused him of lying around so much "he would get bedsores".

"There was enormous pressure before the game, just enormous, and it was extremely difficult for me," he said, adding that he did not celebrate the goal as he felt more relieved than happy.

"After the first goal, I ran towards this orange wall of Dutch fans. Then I turned back. I did not celebrate because maybe it was such a relief. It was not as easy for me as you'd think.

"I am not interested in being top scorer. I am interested in winning the title. This tournament is not about Mario Gomez, it is about the German national team."

The forward also shared Spain striker Fernando Torres's delight after he scored twice against Ireland on Thursday for his first tournament goals since 2008.

"I am happy for him. He had a damned difficult time. We are colleagues and I can imagine what he went through in the past few months when he was almost not selected," said Gomez.