Portugal stun Germany in Munich to reach Nations League final! | OneFootball

Germany 1-2 Portugal

Portugal are in the final of the Nations League! The Seleção came from behind to beat Germany in Munich and book their place in Sunday’s final at the same venue.

The hosts took the lead shortly after half time through Florian Wirtz and most onlookers certainly thought that was that. But a triple substitution just before the hour mark followed by a sensational Francisco Conceição goal – one of the subs brought on – changed the complexion of the game.

Five minutes later a brilliant assist by man-of-the-match Nuno Mendes laid on what proved to be the winner for captain Cristiano Ronaldo. There was still plenty of time left but Germany never looked liked equalising, the best chances in the final 20 minutes falling to Portugal.

As the full-time whistle went it was party time for the large contingent of Seleção fans in the Allianz Arena and Portugal now prepare for the final against either France or Spain.

A huge thunderstorm shortly before kick-off delayed the start and saw journalists and fans alike scampering for the nearest underground car park as the lightning, thunder and hailstones rained down. The somewhat chaotic prelude to the match was exacerbated for those of a Portuguese persuasion upon seeing the line-up Roberto Martínez had selected.

In a throwback to the first match of Euro 2024 against Czechia in Leipzig, the Spaniard decided to throw convention out of the window. Leaving Vitinha, arguably the best midfielder in world football right now on the bench, playing his club colleague João Neves at right-back and selecting bit-part Seleção player Rúben Neves were just three headscratchers in a surprising lineup.

In a sold-out stadium, Leon Goretzka was the first to threaten after being set up by his Bayern teammate Joshua Kimmich, but the shot was straight at Diogo Costa who saved comfortably.

Early Ronaldo chance

Portugal hit back, Cristiano Ronaldo the recipient of a strong run and pass across the box by Pedro Neto. The Portugal captain got his shot off but it lacked power and Ter Stegen gathered the ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo called Germany goalkeeper Ter Stegen into action early on. Photo: FPF/Diogo Pinto

Portugal were getting joy down the left flank, Pedro Neto and Nuno Mendes combining well. The former was soon motoring down the wing again; he had options, chose to shoot, but his effort whistled over the bar.

Midway through the first half chance Germany almost took the lead. A low cross by Sané found its way to Goetzka, whose measured shot drew a fantastic low diving save from Diogo Costa.

Germany began to enjoy the ascendancy, but chances dried up for the rest of the half and the teams went into the break with the game still goalless.

That didn’t last long. In an explosive start to the second half, Portugal were a whisker away from taking the lead as Nuno Mendes again lent his efforts to the attack to good effect, his cross met by the sliding Ronaldo but the captain’s touch but not solid enough to direct the ball into the net.

Kimmich-Wirtz combo makes the breakthrough

Play switched to the other end and Germany took the lead. Kimmich received the ball on the edge of the Portugal box and showed his class by looking up and dinking a delightful chip onto the head of Joshua Wirtz, who expertly directed his header into the corner of the net, giving Diogo Costa no chance.

Portugal claimed the in-demand midfielder was offside, but after a VAR check the goal was confirmed.

With the vast majority of the huge crowd now in good voice, Portugal could have crumbled, but the Seleção stood firm and did not panic. Bruno Fernandes came close to an equaliser with an angled shot from 20 yards out.

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez rang the changes with a in the 58th minute, Vitinha, Francisco Conceição and Nélson Semedo coming on for Rúben Neves, Francisco Trincão and João Neves.

Vitinha was surprisingly omitted from the starting lineup but made his mark when he came on as a second-half substitute. Photo: FPF/Diogo Pinto

Ronaldo headed a corner narrowly over the bar then Germany responded with three substitutions of their own, Robin Gosens, Niclas Fülkrug and Sèrge Gnarby entering the fray.

Conceição scores a stunner

With the teams still looking to reboot with six new players on the pitch, Portugal grabbed an equaliser in spectacular fashion. Francisco Conceição was fed the ball wide on the right near the halfway line. The diminutive winger drove infield towards the box before unleashing a terrific 25-yard curler that beat Ter Stegen and nestled in the net.

Suddenly the Portugal fans were being heard loud and clear and the team had a real spring in its step. It would soon get better.

Nuno Mendes, five days after lifting the Champions League on the same pitch was having a storming game, and the PSG left-back embarked on another marauding run. He played a brilliant one-two with Bruno Fernandes, and swung over a delicious low cross  that left Ronaldo with a simple task to push it into the net from close range. Portugal had turned it round in an instant and were 2-1 up!

The next question was how Portugal could withstand what would surely be a Germany avalanche of attacking football. Truth be told that particular storm never materialised.

With Vitinha now assuming his usual style of knitting together neat midfield patterns, Portugal kept the ball with surprising ease and Germany were unable to fashion chances, save a fierce angled shot from substitute Karim Adeyemi that hit the outside of the post.

Indeed, Portugal were closer to making it 3-1 than conceding an equaliser. Conceição almost scored a carbon-copy of his goal, his effort from a similar distance whistling just wide, and it needed a miraculous double save from Ter Stegen to deny Diogo Jota and Conceição again.

Despite being vastly outnumbered, it was the Portugal fans who could be heard at the Allianz Arena upon the final whistle. Photo: FPF/Diogo Pinto

It mattered not. Portugal saw out the five minutes of stoppage time with minimal fuss and will try and win their second Nations League trophy at the weekend.

Germany: Marcter Stegen, Robin Koch, Jonathan Tah, Waldemar Anton (Felix Nmecha, 71’), Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic (Karim Adeyemi, 71’), Leon Goretzka, Max Mittelstadt (Robin Gosens, 60’), Florian Wirtz, Nick Woltemade (Niclas Füllkrug, 60’), Leroy Sané (Sèrge Gnarby, 60’)

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, João Neves (Nélson Semedo, 58’), Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Neves (Vitinha, 58’), Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto (Diogo Jota, 83’), Francisco Trincão (Francisco Conceição, 58’), Cristiano Ronaldo (João Palhinha, 90’)