MUNICH: Cristiano Ronaldo’s decisive second-half strike earned Portugal a 2-1 victory over Germany on Wednesday, propelling the 2019 champions into the UEFA Nations League final and ending a long-standing winless streak against the Germans.
The 68th-minute goal — Ronaldo’s 137th in international football — came via a close-range finish from a Nuno Mendes assist, marking Portugal’s first-ever win over Germany after five consecutive defeats.
Germany had opened the scoring shortly after the break, with Florian Wirtz capping off a clever solo effort with a well-placed header in the 48th minute. However, Portugal responded through Francisco Conceicao, who delivered a stunning equaliser after a solo run that began near the halfway line.
With momentum shifting, Ronaldo capitalised on a well-worked move to seal the win and silence the home crowd in Munich — his first victory over Germany in a storied international career.
Tactical Battles and Turning Points
Despite fielding four players who featured in Saturday’s Champions League final, Portugal found early rhythm hard to come by. Germany, under Julian Nagelsmann, controlled possession for much of the first half, although chances were limited.
The match was delayed by 10 minutes due to a hailstorm, and the opening stages saw both teams struggling with the slick pitch. German debutant Nick Woltemade came close with a low shot midway through the half, only to be denied by Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa.
Ronaldo was active from the outset, narrowly missing a chance in the 6th minute and again early in the second half. But it was Wirtz who broke the deadlock for Germany, combining neatly with Joshua Kimmich before finishing with composure.
Portugal’s substitutions turned the tide. Coach Roberto Martínez brought on Conceicao, who produced a moment of brilliance to make it 1-1 in the 63rd minute. Just five minutes later, Ronaldo made amends for earlier misses by calmly slotting home the winner.
Looking Ahead
Portugal will now face the winner of the Spain vs France semi-final in Sunday’s final, also in Munich. Germany, meanwhile, will compete in the third-place playoff in Stuttgart.
The defeat ended Germany’s 17-match streak with just one loss, highlighting persistent challenges in converting dominance into results.
As for Ronaldo, now 39, his impact remains undiminished — providing the cutting edge his side needed when it mattered most.
