Ronaldo fires Portugal past Germany in Nations League 2025 thriller

 


Cristiano Ronaldo was once again Portugal’s saviour, scoring the decisive goal in a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Germany in Munich to book a place in Sunday’s Nations League final. The result marks Portugal’s first win over Germany in 25 years.

Germany took the lead early in the second half through Florian Wirtz, a reported Liverpool transfer target, who headed in a precise lofted pass from Joshua Kimmich. But Roberto Martínez’s side responded emphatically, scoring twice in five minutes to turn the match on its head.

Substitute Francisco Conceição sparked the comeback with a stunning long-range strike, cutting in from the right and unleashing a 25-yard effort that swerved and dipped past Marc-André ter Stegen. Just five minutes later, Ronaldo latched onto a low cross from Nuno Mendes and calmly slotted home to complete the turnaround — his 137th international goal.

Germany had been the better side in the first half, creating several clear-cut chances. Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa made a vital point-blank save to deny debutant Nick Woltemade, and later reacted smartly to turn away a low drive from Leon Goretzka. Portugal's best opportunity before the break fell to Ronaldo, who failed to find the corner of the net with a shot on the turn.

Shortly after halftime, Portugal nearly took the lead when Mendes whipped in a low cross that narrowly missed Ronaldo’s outstretched foot. Instead, it was Germany who struck first, with Wirtz heading home to make it 1-0.

Martínez responded decisively, making a triple substitution just before the hour mark, including the introduction of Juventus winger Francisco Conceição for Francisco Trincão. Conceição made an immediate impact, scoring a spectacular equaliser to bring Portugal level.

In a moment of historical symmetry, Francisco’s father, Sérgio Conceição, scored a hat-trick the last time Portugal defeated Germany at Euro 2000 — and his son’s heroics proved the catalyst again. Bruno Fernandes played a key role in the winning goal, threading a pass to Mendes, whose low delivery was expertly finished by Ronaldo from close range.

Germany pushed for an equaliser and came close when substitute Karim Adeyemi hit the near post from a tight angle. But as the match wore on, Portugal looked more composed and dangerous on the break, while Julian Nagelsmann’s men struggled to create further opportunities.

With the win, Portugal advance to the Nations League final, where they will aim to claim their second title in the competition.


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