Cristiano Ronaldo, captaining Portugal at 40 years old, scored his 137th international goal to inspire a remarkable 2-1 comeback victory over Germany in the Nations League semifinal held in Munich on Wednesday.
This triumph marked Portugal’s first win on German soil since October 1985, a historic milestone coming 25 years after their last victory and just six months after Ronaldo was born in Madeira.
In his record-extending 220th international appearance, Ronaldo became the oldest player to score against Germany, breaking a personal losing streak against the Germans that had lasted five matches. Portugal’s previous win over Germany dated back to Euro 2000, when Sérgio Conceição scored a hat trick.
The match saw Liverpool target Florian Wirtz give Germany an early second-half lead with a precise header. However, Portugal coach Roberto Martínez’s substitutions proved decisive. Francisco Conceição, son of Sérgio Conceição, equalized with a brilliant long-range strike shortly after entering the game. Five minutes later, Ronaldo finished off a simple chance, courtesy of a pass from Nuno Mendes, to secure the victory.
Portugal’s midfield dynamo Vitinha, fresh from winning the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain just days earlier, impressed as Portugal ended the game strongly. Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was forced into several crucial saves to keep his team in the match.
Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann lamented the team’s inability to perform at full strength, noting absences like Jamal Musiala as a factor in the defeat.
Portugal will now face the winner of the semifinal between France and Spain in the Nations League final, while Germany awaits the loser to contest the third-place playoff.
Swifteradio.com
