Michael Ballack became the first Chelsea player to score in Euro 2008 when he fired in a special free-kick, guaranteeing Germany a place in the quarter-finals.

The 49th minute strike from 30 yards broke the deadlock against Austria in what had been a game of scant chances, the ball flying into the top right-hand corner past Jürgen Macho, the keeper who spent the 2003/04 season on Chelsea's books.

Ballack had publicly questioned his own form in the build-up to the match in Vienna but with Germany requiring one point against the co-hosts, the captain served up the game's only goal, easing any fears of an early exit. It was his 37th international strike in his 84th game, and his 6th in 21 since joining Chelsea.

However, although the better side in the second-half, the German performance once again failed to match some of those from other tournament favourites Portugal, The Netherlands and Spain.

Ballack is now on a collision course with several of his Chelsea team-mates plus his soon-to-be club manager. Germany play Portugal in the opening quarter-final in Basel on Thursday.