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Ronaldo scores 137th international goal as Portugal defeat Germany after 25 years to reach Nations League final
Cristiano Ronaldo wore the captain's armband in the semi-final meeting at Munich's Allianz Arena and put Portugal in the lead just five minutes after Francisco Conceição, whose father Sérgio had scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory over Germany in Euro 2000, scored a sensational equaliser. read more
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Nuno Mendes after scoring Portugal's second goal in their UEFA Nations League semi-final against Germany in Munich. Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 137th international goal as Portugal defeated Germany after a gap of 25 years in their UEFA Nations League semi-final meeting in Munich on Wednesday. Ronaldo, wearing the captain's armband in Wednesday's clash at the Allianz Arena, put Portugal in the lead five minutes after Francisco Conceição scored a sensational equaliser.
Bayer Leverkusen forward Florian Wirtz had earlier put four-time world champions Germany in the lead in the 48th minute.
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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.
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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 defeat Germany for the first time since Euro 2000
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 — 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 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.
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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 per cent 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.
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Conceição made his mark in the 63rd. Mendes gave Ronaldo a simple finish five minutes after that.
'It could have been more,' Mendes said.
France plays Spain in Stuttgart on Thursday in the other semifinal, with Germany awaiting the loser to decide third place.
With AP inputs
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