Portugal staged a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat Germany 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League semi-final, with Francisco Conceição and Cristiano Ronaldo finding the net to keep the Seleção’s title hopes alive.
Match Summary: Portugal Rally to Deny Germany
Germany’s bid for a maiden Nations League title ended in heartbreak in Munich as Portugal overturned a one-goal deficit with two quickfire strikes after the break.
The game started brightly, with early chances at both ends. Diogo Costa denied Leon Goretzka, while Marc-André ter Stegen kept out Cristiano Ronaldo’s seventh-minute shot. Germany gradually took control, threatening through debutant Nick Woltemade and Goretzka, only to be repeatedly thwarted by the Portuguese goalkeeper. Florian Wirtz also tested Costa with a curling effort late in the first half.
The breakthrough came just after halftime when Wirtz, instrumental throughout, linked up with Joshua Kimmich—making his 100th appearance—for a smartly worked goal. Wirtz ghosted into the box and guided a delicate header past Costa from Kimmich’s lofted pass to give Germany a deserved lead.
But Portugal roared back. In the 63rd minute, Francisco Conceição—on as a substitute—cut inside from the right and curled a sublime shot beyond Ter Stegen to level the score. Just six minutes later, Nuno Mendes combined neatly with Bruno Fernandes and squared the ball for Ronaldo to tap in his 137th international goal, completing the turnaround.
Germany pushed hard for an equaliser, coming agonisingly close when Karim Adeyemi struck the post.
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