Ronaldo sends Portugal to Nations League final with historic win over Germany
Cristiano Ronaldo has led Portugal to its first win over Germany in 25 years.
The 40-year-old Ronaldo captained the team and scored his 137th international goal as Portugal came from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in Munich in their Nations League semifinal on Wednesday.
It was Portugal 's first win in Germany since a World Cup qualifier in Stuttgart in October 1985 — some six months after a future superstar was born in Madeira.
On his record-extending 220th appearance, Ronaldo became the oldest player to ever score against Germany while ending his 'curse.' The former Real Madrid star lost each of the previous five games he'd played against Germany.
Portugal hadn't beaten Germany since Sérgio Conceição scored a hat trick for a 3-0 victory at Euro 2000.
On Wednesday, Conceição's son — 22-year-old Francisco Conceição — pulled Portugal level just five minutes after making his entrance with a brilliant long-range strike inside the far post after he surged past Robin Gosens like he wasn't there.
Liverpool target Florian Wirtz had given Germany a 48th-minute lead with a perfectly placed header inside the right post, but Portugal coach Roberto Martínez made his changes count as he brought on Conceição and Champions League winner Vitinha among the substitutes.
Vitinha excelled as Portugal finished the game in the ascendancy just four days after he helped Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League final against Inter Milan in the same stadium on Saturday.
Germany needed goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen at his best to prevent the visitors from scoring any more.
'When we're not at 100% then we can't compete with the top teams,' said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, who was missing Jamal Musiala among others.
PSG wing backs João Neves and Nuno Mendes both started for Portugal, while Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade started for his Germany debut and had the home team's best first-half chance saved by Diogo Costa.
Conceição made his mark in the 63rd. Mendes gave Ronaldo a simple finish five minutes after that.
'It could have been more,' Mendes said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
12 hours ago
- France 24
Bayern overcome battling Boca to reach Club World Cup last 16
Kane's strike gave the German champions the lead only for Miguel Merentiel to equalise, but Olise popped up with a late winner. After defeats for Paris Saint-Germain against Botofogo and Chelsea against Flamengo, Bayern bucked the trend of European teams falling to South American opponents with an accomplished victory in the Group C encounter. "It was a big performance from the guys, we knew it wasn't going to be easy, coming into a hostile environment with hot weather. In the first half we should have been two or three up then in the second they put us under a bit of pressure," said Kane. "They got the momentum but once they scored we shifted it back in our direction," added the England forward. Hard Rock Stadium was packed to the rafters with Boca fans who once again brought incredible passion and noise to the NFL stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins. But Bayern set about quieting the 63,587 crowd with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka taking charge of midfield and the movement of Bayern's frontline stretching the Boca defence. The German side thought they had the lead in the eighth minute when a corner from Olise passed untouched through a crowded six-yard box and into the net. But the referee was called to the monitor for a VAR review where he was able to clearly see that Serge Gnabry had blocked and tangled with Boca goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin, and the effort was ruled out. Ten minutes later, however, Bayern had the breakthrough when Boca were unable to fully clear a ball into the box and Kane pounced with a clinical left-foot shot into the bottom corner. Bayern smelled blood and pushed for a second -- Olise found Gnabry on the right and his low ball across goal was just inches away from the sliding Kingsley Coman. Boca desperately needed to find a foothold in the game and they came close when a thundering free-kick from Kevin Zenon was punched out by Manuel Neuer. Moments later Zenon tested the Bayern keeper again with another fierce strike which Neuer punched away. Olise's decisive blow But for all the signs of life from Boca, Bayern looked in control of the game and Kane was close to making it 2-0 with a dangerous free-kick which dipped just too late and flashed over the bar. Bayern continued to look for a second after the interval and the busy Olise should have done better from close range but couldn't connect properly with an off-balance shot. Boca never gave up harrying and grafting though and their reward came in the 66th minute. On a turnover in midfield, Alan Velasco found Miguel Merentiel down the right and he powered goalwards, skipping around Josip Stanisic before producing a brilliant, confident finish past the helpless Neuer. It looked like South American clubs' unbeaten record in the tournament was going to hold, but with six minutes remaining Olise provided the decisive blow. After a scramble on the edge of the box, Kane found the France international with a delicate lay-off and Olise provided precision control with a superb side-foot finish into the corner. Konrad Laimer thought he had wrapped up the win with a third moments later but he was ruled offside. Boca keeper Marchesin said the game had shown the level that the Argentine giants needed to maintain. "We're leaving with a lot of sadness, a lot of disappointment, but excited about what's to come. I think this is how we have to approach matches, with this seriousness, with this mentality that is what Boca is all about, what Boca needs, and hopefully we can continue on this path," he said. It was the first loss for a South American side in the competition and it leaves Boca with just one point before their final group game. Bayern have the maximum six points after crushing Auckland City 10-0 in their opening game with Portugal's Benfica in second place on four points.
LeMonde
18 hours ago
- LeMonde
Kevin Durant buys minority stake in PSG, eyes global expansion with Qatari owners
NBA star Kevin Durant has purchased a minority stake in Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain, the French soccer club said Friday, June 20. Qatar Sports Investments, PSG's majority shareholder, signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Durant, the club said in a statement. Financial terms were not disclosed. The announcement comes amid talks between the NBA, FIBA and other entities about the potential of adding a new league in Europe. Durant will provide expertise on the PSG's multi-port strategy, including potential expansion into basketball, the club said. "Under the terms of the partnership, Durant – via his media and investment company Boardroom, co-founded with long-time business partner Rich Kleiman – will acquire a direct minority stake in the club," PSG's statement said. The Phoenix Suns forward is a two-time NBA champion and became the first four-time men's gold medalist in Olympic basketball history when the US took gold at last summer's Paris Games . "It is an honor to partner with QSI and be a shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain – a club and city that is deeply close to my heart," the 36-year-old Durant said in comments provided by PSG. "This club has big plans and I look forward to being part of the next phase of growth and exploring new investment opportunities with QSI." As part of the deal, Boardroom Sports Holdings – Durant's personal investment vehicle, which holds stakes in a number of major sports teams and leagues – and QSI will join forces on a wide range of commercial, investment and content production initiatives. PSG added that Durant will support the club's diversification and growth strategy, as well as the club's development in the US and other international markets. "Together with Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI," PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi said.
France 24
19 hours ago
- France 24
Benfica knock out Auckland in Club World Cup romp
With the Portuguese side leading by a goal at half-time the match was suspended because of a storm, eventually resuming two hours later. Auckland of New Zealand, the only Oceania Football Confederation representatives at the tournament, were thrashed 10-0 by Bayern Munich in their Group C opener and this defeat means they are eliminated. Despite their eventual collapse, Auckland battled hard in the first half and almost made it to the break unscathed. Auckland goalkeeper Nathan Garrow made several good saves to keep Benfica at bay and the Portuguese side grew frustrated. Benfica took the lead deep into first half stoppage time when Gianluca Prestianni was clumsily felled in the area by Haris Zeb. Di Maria, who converted a spot-kick in the opening 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors, sent Garrow the wrong way. At half-time the match became the fourth in the last four days at the tournament to be impacted by a suspension for adverse conditions, with a storm arriving at the Inter&CO Stadium. When play eventually resumed, Benfica came back out strongly. Vangelis Pavlidis bundled his way through and smashed home to double Bruno Lage's team's lead in the 53rd minute, with Renato Sanches netting the third 10 minutes later from outside the box with a deflected effort. Luxembourg midfielder Leandro Barreiro bagged a brace to expand Benfica's lead, tucking home at the back post from Pavlidis' cross for the fourth before netting from close range. Nikko Boxall brought down Di Maria in stoppage time and the Argentine World Cup winner beat Garrow from the spot again to wrap up Benfica's emphatic triumph. Later Friday German giants Bayern Munich take on Argentine outfit Boca Juniors in the other Group C match.
