Ronaldo ends Germany curse to send Portugal into Nations League final
dpa
Munich
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner after Francisco Conceicao emulated his father as Portugal ended their long curse against hosts Germany with a 2-1 comeback victory on Wednesday for a place in the Nations League final.
Man of the Match Conceicao with a superb curling shot in the 63rd and Ronaldo's tap-in five minutes later reversed Germany's 48th minute lead from a header by Liverpool target Florian Wirtz.
It was the 137th national team goal for the 40-year-old Ronaldo in his 220th cap, both figures being world records.
Portuguese delight
Portugal previously last beat Germany 25 years ago at Euro 2000 - 3-0 from a hat-trick by Conceicao's father, Sergio Conceicao. They then lost five times in a row against them, with Ronaldo featuring in all of them.
Winners of the inaugural Nations League in 2019, Portugal advanced into Sunday's final in the same Munich arena which will be a contest for a second title because they will face either 2021 winners France or 2023 champions Spain.
'Conceding wasn't easy but we showed a lot of character,' midfielder Bernardo Silva told streaming portal DAZN, adding 'hopefully to win' the final but warning that 'France and Spain have a lot of quality.'
Looking at Ronaldo, he praised 'his ambition to keep going. We are happy to have him with us.' Coach Roberto Martinez hailed his team's 'tactical flexibility' as he said: 'I never felt Germany had control. It is one of the games where you feel really proud as a coach.'
German revival stalls
Germany, who lacked in many aspects, will play for third place in Stuttgart on Sunday as their dream of a first title since the 2017 Confederations Cup ended with a first defeat since the Euro 2024 quarter-finals against eventual champions Spain.
'We were not good enough over 90 minutes to win this game.
'We didn't have enough courage and weren't clean enough. A lot more would have been possible,' said captain Joshua Kimmich, who earned his 100th cap.
'We have to learn our lessons and try to win on Sunday,' Kimmich said.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann said: 'We weren't as ruthless as in previous games. We were not active after scoring, lost many balls.'
TerStegen returns, Vitinha starts on subs' bench
Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned between the Germany posts from a severe knee injury and in-form VfB Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade started after being called up for the first time from a depleted squad missing the likes of Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz and Antonio Rüdiger.
Portugal midfielder Vitinha was benched five days after his heroics in the same stadium in Paris Saint-Germain's 5-0 Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan, while his PSG team-mates Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves started.
Portugal's strong start, Germany try to hit back
The match started a few minutes late because a hailstorm had delayed the warm-up, and although the hosts threatened early from Leon Goretzka it was Portugal who had the brighter start with high pressing.
Ronaldo failed to hit the ball properly after a determined run from Pedro Neto down the left as Ter Stegen easily gathered, and Neto blazed over shortly afterwards.
Germany grew into the game, and now Portugal keeper Diogo Costa needed big saves to deny first Woltemade in the 19th and Goretzka two minutes later.
Portugal almost pounced seconds after the restart when Ronaldo just failed to connect with Mendes' sharp cross from the left at the far post.
Wirtz scores but
Portugal hit back
Wirtz had been no major factor but in the 48th got the ball, passed it to Kimmich, ran into the penalty area and headed the captain's chipped ball into the far right corner for 1-0.
Bruno Fernandes curled wide as Portugal sought a response and also brought fresh blood including Vitinha and Conceicao.
Ronaldo headed over and had a free-kick blocked but Portugal were level in the 63rd when Conceicao cut inside from the right and sensationally curled into the far bottom corner.
Germany were rattled and Portugal were ahead five minutes later when Ronaldo had no problems finishing off another low cross from Mendes.
German substitute Karim Adeyemi hit the outside post but Portugal remained the more dangerous side. Ter Stegen saved superbly from Diogo Jota and Conceicao, and again from Jota seconds before the final whistle.
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