The European champions finally lost their fragile grip on the trophy they won at Wembley four years ago to a second-string Portugese team, in Rotterdam.

Lazio midfielder Conceicao was the man who put Erich Ribbeck's men to the sword with a close-range header before the break and two second-half strikes.

The body-blow to German hopes was a glaring error from the normally reliable Oliver Kahn who allowed Conceicao's drive to slip under his body and into the net.

The mistake put Portugal two-up and Germany rarely threatened Portugal's stand-in keeper Pedro Espinha.

Conceicao went on to complete his treble with the finest goal of the night and humble Germany, three times European champions and twice runners-up.

Portugal, who guaranteed top-spot in Group A with a last-minute winner against Romania on Saturday, sent out a host of reserves in the Feyernoord Stadium.

Only Fernando Couto and Jorge Costa survived from Arnhem. Luis Figo, carrying a yellow card, Manuel Rui Costa and others were given an evening on the bench.

Briefly, it looked as if Germany would take advantage of Humberto Coelho's generosity.

With Lothar Matthaus winning his 150th cap, Ribbeck's team took control of the game and, as news drifted through the stands of Romania's opener in Charleroi, the Germans were getting excited.

They were without Oliver Bierhoff, Markus Babbel and Jens Jeremies but they started positively.

Pedro Esphina punched a cross from Carsten Jancker's forehead and Conceicao made a brilliant tackle to halt a dangerous Mehmet Scholl run.

Dietmar Hamann tried his luck from long-range and Jancker rifled wide after a sharp turn but it was Marco Bode who came closest to putting his country into the lead.

Bode tore into the penalty area in the 31st minute and arrowed a left-foot shot past Pedro Esphina only to see the ball rebound into play off the foot of the post.

Moments later, Germany were trailing. Pauleta, who had been Portugal's liveliest player in the first half-hour collected a pass from Rui Jorge and drove to the by-line in an inside-left channel.

He produced a low cross but it deflected off Marko Rehmer's lunging challenge and looped over Kahn to Conceicao at the far post.

The diminutive midfielder nodded the ball over the line as he was bundled into the net by Kahn's valiant, but unsuccessful, bid to keep the ball out.

Germany's keeper had already made a splendid save in the 16th minute when Conceicao's right-wing cross was met by Pauleta, whose first-time shot looked destined for goal.

The German captain leapt low to his right with great agility and turned the ball wide with his fingertips. Inexplicably, Dutch ref Dick Jol gave a goal kick.

Kahn's heroics ended there. The second half was less than nine minutes old when he effectively ended Germany's slim chances of progress with an uncharacteristic clanger.

Conceicao darted inside from the right, jinking past two tackles to reach the edge of the box.

He unfurled a drive, crisp but straight at Kahn, and wheeled away in delight as the Bayern Munich keeper allowed the ball to slither past him and into the net.

Portugal continued to sweep forward. Capucho went close twice, Sa Pinto fired wide and Pauleta's volley hit the ground and bounced over.

Germany took risks to get back into the game and were made to pay when Capucho slipped a pass to Conceicao to complete his hat-trick with a right-foot shot in the 71st minute.