From pitch invader scuffle to matchwinner – Cristiano Ronaldo stars for Portugal
The hosts had gone in front early in the second half when Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz headed home but Roberto Martinez's men hit back with two goals in five minutes.
A brilliant strike from Francisco Conceicao, whose father Sergio scored the last time Portugal beat Germany in Euro 2000, brought them level before Ronaldo bagged his 137th international goal with an easy tap-in to win the match.
A fan confronted Ronaldo before kick-off (Martin Meissner/AP)
It sent Portugal through to the final where they will meet either Spain or France on Sunday.
There was plenty of drama in the warm-up as midway through an electrical storm, Ronaldo had his confrontation, with the young fan dragged away by stewards.
The storm caused a 10-minute delay to kick-off, but once the action got under way it was almost an electric start for the hosts as they started on the front foot with Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa making two great saves.
First he produced a fine stop to deny debutant Nick Woltemade's fizzed effort before getting down quickly to turn Leon Goretzka's stroked effort around the post.
Portugal were inches away from taking the lead early in the second half as Ronaldo was just unable to connect with Nuno Mendes' incisive cross, which agonisingly grazed the striker's studs.
And soon after the ball went in at the other end as Germany took the lead in the 48th minute.
Joshua Kimmich, winning his 100th cap, made it, clipping a delightful ball over the defence for Wirtz to run on to and find the bottom corner.
Portugal's response was good and Bruno Fernandes, fresh from a post-season tour to Asia with Manchester United, whipped an effort just wide.
But it was substitute Conceicao who made the difference five minutes after coming off the bench.
It was a brilliant individual goal, cutting in from the right, driving towards goal before finding the bottom corner with a 25-yard curling effort.
The turnaround was complete five minutes later after another fine goal.
Mendes played a one-two with Fernandes and then laid it on a plate for Ronaldo to tap into an empty net after just staying onside.
Conceicao could have killed the match but whistled an effort just wide and Germany almost equalised moments later as Karim Adeyemi advanced into the box but his shot hit the outside of the post.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a miraculous double save to deny Diogo Jota and Conceicao at the death, but Portugal's work was done.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Andy Robertson responds to Liverpool links with Milos Kerkez
Andy Robertson has insisted that he still has 'a lot to give' as Liverpool pursue his potential left-back successor in Milos Kerkez. Robertson, 31, has been Liverpool's undisputed first-choice pick at left-back slot for the past eight years, but after a far from perfect individual season, his status as a regular starter could be under threat. Arne Slot 's side are said to be edging closer to a move for Bournemouth sensation Milos Kerkez, who stamped his mark as one of the best in his position last term. The 21-year-old Hungarian could be Robertson's long-term replacement at Anfield, potentially consigning two-time Premier League winner Robertson to the scrapheap. But while acknowledging that a deal for Kerkez could get over the line, Robertson is yet to throw in the towel in his fight to remain Liverpool's go-to left-back. "We're not daft, it looks as if a deal could potentially be done," Robertson told BBC Scotland when asked about the Kerkez rumours. "But, until that is done, I've not even given that a second thought. I back myself. I've got confidence in my own ability and that drives me forward. "I've had eight fantastic years at Liverpool in terms of winning trophies and being a mainstay in the team, which I'm incredibly proud of. "I'm not getting any younger. I can't change my age, but I still believe I've got a lot to give and that's what I focus on. I focus on myself - you can't focus on other people or who you're competing with." Robertson has won everything there is to win since arriving on Merseyside from Hull in 2017, lifting the Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and two Carabao Cups, on top of his two Premier League crowns. He is lauded as one of the bargains of the modern era, with Liverpool signing their stalwart defender for a fee of just £8m. However, his time as an indispensable asset at Liverpool could be nearing an end should the marauding Kerkez come through the door, who managed two goals and five assists last season.
South Wales Guardian
27 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
England squad has ‘so much talent' despite high-profile absentees
Within the last two weeks Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired from international football, while Millie Bright has stepped away saying she is 'unable to give 100 percent mentally or physically'. It has left a significant hole in Sarina Wiegman's squad – the trio have 220 caps between them – a month before the Euros, but Toone insists there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic about their title defence. 'There is a lot of experience with those three players, ones I am grateful I got to share a pitch with,' Toone told the PA news agency at the official launch of her E7 Academy at former school Fred Longworth High in Tyldesley. 'It is football and people make decisions and as players we have to respect that. I just want Mary to be happy – if that's her decision I'll respect that. 'It is nice to let someone else step into the squad and I know we have their backing 100 percent and I know they want us to do well. 'You have to focus on the squad we have now and there is so much talent and excitement in it, players who have been to major tournaments before and are experienced and know how to win. 'We have bags of talent coming through. You have to look forward to what's ahead and with the squad we have got. I think it is going to be exciting. 'They will go there, have no fear and hopefully they can shine on the big stage. A post shared by Ella Toone (@ellatoone) 'We've got a very different squad to the one we had when we won it, but one which is very exiting and full of talent. 'There is no pressure, we're going to give it our all, inspire the next generation and make the nation proud as every time we step on to the pitch we want to win.' Toone's academy offers opportunities for eight to 16-year-olds of all abilities and a full-time education and player development programme for those between 16 and 19. It has partnered with 27 schools across Greater Manchester and she has encouraged more to sign up. 'It was always about using my platform as best I can to inspire young girls to give them an opportunity to play football and enjoy themselves,' the Manchester United star added. 'Hopefully girls here can really push on and come through the academy and play in the WSL one day. 'It's amazing we were part of that change in history in women's football and inspired the next generation of girls. 'When I was growing up there weren't as many opportunities as there are now and definitely not as many role modes as there are now. 'It is nice to be able to give back to the community and give back to these young girls starting out in their journeys.' :: For further details about Ella Toone's academy go to
Powys County Times
29 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
England squad has ‘so much talent' despite high-profile absentees
England midfielder Ella Toone is confident the squad will move on from the loss of three experienced internationals and put up a staunch defence of their European Championship crown this summer. Within the last two weeks Mary Earps and Fran Kirby have retired from international football, while Millie Bright has stepped away saying she is 'unable to give 100 percent mentally or physically'. It has left a significant hole in Sarina Wiegman's squad – the trio have 220 caps between them – a month before the Euros, but Toone insists there are plenty of reasons to remain optimistic about their title defence. 'There is a lot of experience with those three players, ones I am grateful I got to share a pitch with,' Toone told the PA news agency at the official launch of her E7 Academy at former school Fred Longworth High in Tyldesley. 'It is football and people make decisions and as players we have to respect that. I just want Mary to be happy – if that's her decision I'll respect that. 'It is nice to let someone else step into the squad and I know we have their backing 100 percent and I know they want us to do well. 'You have to focus on the squad we have now and there is so much talent and excitement in it, players who have been to major tournaments before and are experienced and know how to win. 'We have bags of talent coming through. You have to look forward to what's ahead and with the squad we have got. I think it is going to be exciting. 'They will go there, have no fear and hopefully they can shine on the big stage. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ella Toone (@ellatoone) 'We've got a very different squad to the one we had when we won it, but one which is very exiting and full of talent. 'There is no pressure, we're going to give it our all, inspire the next generation and make the nation proud as every time we step on to the pitch we want to win.' Toone's academy offers opportunities for eight to 16-year-olds of all abilities and a full-time education and player development programme for those between 16 and 19. It has partnered with 27 schools across Greater Manchester and she has encouraged more to sign up. 'It was always about using my platform as best I can to inspire young girls to give them an opportunity to play football and enjoy themselves,' the Manchester United star added. 'Hopefully girls here can really push on and come through the academy and play in the WSL one day. 'It's amazing we were part of that change in history in women's football and inspired the next generation of girls. 'When I was growing up there weren't as many opportunities as there are now and definitely not as many role modes as there are now. 'It is nice to be able to give back to the community and give back to these young girls starting out in their journeys.'
