Germany Denied as Portugal Advances to Nations League Final

In a thrilling Nations League semi-final clash, 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo proved decisive as Portugal came from behind to defeat Germany 2-1 in Munich. The veteran striker tapped in Nuno Mendes' low pass in the 68th minute for the winning goal, setting up a final against either France or Spain.

The dramatic turnaround came just five minutes after Francisco Conceicao had equalized, canceling out Florian Wirtz's 48th-minute opener for the hosts. Portugal, who won the inaugural tournament in 2019, faced an uphill battle after falling behind at the Allianz Arena.

Match Highlights

Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, reportedly close to a £109m move to Premier League champions Liverpool, headed Germany in front from Joshua Kimmich's clever lofted pass. The goal stood despite Portuguese protests that German debutant Nick Woltemade had fouled Ruben Dias in the buildup.

The introduction of substitute Conceicao changed the game's momentum. The young forward equalized in spectacular fashion in the 63rd minute, cutting in from the right before curling a beautiful finish past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.

Ronaldo then delivered the decisive blow, finishing clinically from close range. Germany nearly forced extra time when Karim Adeyemi's late strike hit the post.

Historical Context

This victory marks Portugal's first competitive win over Germany since Euro 2000, when Conceicao's father Sergio famously scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory. The Nations League has seen different champions in each edition: Portugal (2019), France (2021), and Spain (2023).

The match, delayed by 10 minutes due to hail storms, showcased Germany's early dominance with Diogo Costa making crucial saves. However, Portugal's second-half resurgence, led by Conceicao and Ronaldo, proved decisive.

Attention now turns to Thursday's second semi-final between France and Spain in Stuttgart, with the final scheduled for Sunday in Munich.