By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 05, 2025 04:06 AM • 65 views
Munich — In a night of drama, history, and redemption, Portugal stormed into the UEFA Nations League final with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over hosts Germany at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday — their first win over Die Mannschaft in a quarter of a century.
The win not only ended a 25-year drought against Germany — last defeated by Portugal in 2000 — but also marked the Seleção's first triumph on German soil since 1985, making the occasion even more monumental for Roberto Martínez's side.
Florian Wirtz opened the scoring for the hosts just before the break, turning in a neat finish in the 43rd minute after an incisive low cross from Joshua Kimmich sliced through the Portuguese backline.
But the second half belonged to Portugal — and their relentless belief.
Young winger Francisco Conceição breathed life into the contest with a well-taken equalizer in the 63rd minute. The Porto prodigy latched onto a perfectly weighted through-ball from centre-back Rúben Dias and slotted past Marc-André ter Stegen with clinical precision.
Then, as he has done time and again over two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo took centre stage.
The Portuguese captain, quiet for much of the match, popped up in the 68th minute to score what proved to be the winner — guiding Nuno Mendes' low cross into the back of the net with a trademark striker's instinct. It was a moment of vintage Ronaldo, a flash of brilliance that reminded fans and critics alike of his enduring relevance on the international stage.
Germany, spurred on by a packed home crowd in Munich, pushed hard for an equalizer but was repeatedly frustrated by the resilience of Portugal's defence and the commanding presence of Diogo Costa between the sticks.
With the victory, Portugal marched into the UEFA Nations League final, where they will face the winner of Thursday's semi-final clash between Spain and France. For Ronaldo and his teammates, the opportunity to lift silverware again — after their 2019 Nations League triumph — is now just one match away.
