GERMANY 1-2 PORTUGAL: Cristiano Ronaldo fired Roberto Martinez’s side into the final of the Nations League with a comeback win over hosts Germany at the Allianz Arena
Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to a come-from-behind win over Germany to book their place in Sunday’s Nations League final. Florian Wirtz had put the hosts ahead with a brilliant header from Joshua Kimmich’s delicious chip three minutes into the second-half.
But a triple change from Roberto Martinez sparked Portugal into life. It was one of those subs who put the visitors on level terms, with Francisco Conceição driving forward before curling a fantastic effort past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and into the bottom corner.
Just five minutes after that, Ronaldo scored what would prove to be the winner. Nuno Mendes burst through the Germany defence before squaring the ball for his captain, who was left with an empty net to tap into.
That goal also saw Ronaldo break the record for the most goals in a single Nations League A campaign, having notched seven strikes. That is one more than previous joint-holders Romelu Lukaku and Ferran Torres managed in the 2021/2022 campaign.
It is though three less than Viktor Gyokeres managed as Sweden won promotion from Nations League C this year. It is the second Nations League final Portugal have reached.
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They won the first edition of the tournament back in 2019. Holders Spain and 2018 World Cup winners France will contest the other semi-final, which will be held in Stuttgart on Thursday night.
It is the first time Portugal have beaten Germnay in any competition for 25 years. Their performance in the second-half was hailed by former Manchester City star Andy Hinchcliffe.
He told Prime Video: “The genius of this goal is its simplicity. It’s just pass and move football. Brilliant football to open Germany up. What a response to going behind from Portugal. He’s not the attacking power he was but ultimately it looks as if Ronaldo’s goal will be the decisive one.
“The first half was a pretty even constant – Germany maybe shaded it. In the second half, yes Germany got the goal but it was an attacking flash. It’s been a dominant performance from Portugal on and off the ball.
“When Germany were 1-0 up, they adopted the right approach. They were looking for a second goal. But the substitutions from Roberto Martinez changed the complexion if the game. It’s up to Germany to get a foothold in the game and do to Portugal what Portugal did to them.”
Ronaldo was subbed off late on by Martinez, but Germany had left it too little too late. It means they will now play in the third-place play-off earlier on Sunday.
The 40-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Al-Nassr at the end of the Saudi Pro League season. He is seeking his third trophy with Portugal, having been part of the side that won the 2019 Nations League and the one which won Euro 2016.
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