Nations League Player Ratings | Germany 1-2 Portugal | OneFootball

In the first semi-finals of the Nations League finals, Germany faced Portugal in Munich for the first time since they previously faced each other in the exact same stadium during the EURO 2020 group stages.

After a delayed start because of a hailstorm, Germany started off the brightest when Leon Goretzka had a chance on the edge of the box but was unable to challenge Diogo Costa in the Portugal goal. Nick Woltemade would also have a good chance to open the scoring, but his effort flew across the face of the goal. When it came to building up their own attacks, Portugal rarely worried Germany; the main problem for the hosts was Portugal’s ability to counter, as most of their chances came when Germany had pushed up the pitch.

Germany started the second half off in the best way possible when Florian Wirtz won the ball from a counterpress and, after playing a pass to Joshua Kimmich, the captain played it back to the soon-to-be Liverpool player with a chip that Wirtz headed home. After a poor first half from Portugal, the goal managed to turn their performance around, and they started to take the game to Germany. After a couple of half chances, Concecaio received the ball in the middle third of the pitch and ran forward with barely any Germany players near him before curling in an effort pass to Marc-André ter Stegen to level the game. Portugal then made it 2-1 in quick succession when Cristiano Ronaldo got his customary tap-in after the ball was squared by Nuno Mendes.

However, Germany was unable to create anything meaningful as Portugal continued to grow in the game. The hosts relied upon several saves from ter Stegen to keep them in the game with a spectacular double save late on, but when it came to the attack, nothing.

This is Germany’s first loss since their fateful quarter-final exit at EURO 2024 against Spain last summer. They will now head back to Stuttgart to face the loser of the other semi-final between France and…Spain.

Germany:

Marc-André ter Stegen (5) – Back in the Germany starting line-up for the first time since his serious knee injury. Saved a tame effort from Cristiano Ronaldo after six minutes and rarely tested, but could do nothing about Francisco Conceição’s long-range strike or Ronaldo’s goal.

Robin Koch (5) – Seamlessly slotted into Julian Nagelsmann’s back three with Antonio Rudiger and Nico Schlotterbeck injured. Made an excellent block on Pedro Neto after 30 minutes, after the Portuguese attacker dribbled his way into Germany’s penalty area.

Waldemar Anton (5) – Replaced after 71 minutes as Nagelsmann reverted to a back four. In truth, it will probably be nowhere near the Germany setup once Antonio Rudiger and Nico Schlotterbeck return.

Jonathan Tah (4) – At fault for Portugal’s second of the evening. Stepped up to close down Bruno Fernandes, who played in Nuno Mendes around the corner, who played the ball across the goal for Ronaldo to score into an empty net.

Joshua Kimmich (7) – One of Germany’s better players on the night in a perhaps unorthodox position for the Bayern Munich player. Assisted Florian Wirtz for the opening goal with a delightfully chipped ball on his 100th cap for Germany.

Leon Goretzka (5) – Goretzka still has qualities that he brings to the table; however, playing next to Pavlovic does not bring the best out of him. This pairing makes Germany too exposed in defence, and that showed with the goals that were conceded, especially the first.

Aleksandar Pavlovic (6) – The challenge for Nagelsmann will be finding the perfect partner for Pavlovic. When he has been fit, he has shown that he will be a key part for Germany going forward, and it is now finding who can play next to him (probably Angelo Stiller)

Maximilian Mittelstädt (6) – Tasked with a lot of running and providing width with Germany’s back three, and Florian Wirtz drifting into the half-spaces. Not a thrilling performance, but solid defensively with three defensive actions.

Florian Wirtz (7) – It is safe to say that Wirtz is the man of the moment in German football right now, and he proved it tonight. Not only was he the only player in the attack who was at least trying to create something, but he also showed his work rate for the opener when he counterpressed Trincao to win the ball back.

Leroy Sané (5) – The winger created the joint most chances in the game (3), but apart from that,he did not look at times in the game.

Nick Woltemade (5) – You could tell this was Woltemade’s first game for the senior national team, as he struggled to get into the game. We all know the qualities that the 23-year-old does bring, but none of them were on show tonight.

Others: Niclas Füllkrug (5), Serge Gnabry (5), Robin Gosens (5), Karim Adeyemi (5), Felix Nmecha (5)

GGFN MOTM: Florian Wirtz (7)

GGFN