Latest news with #Euro2000
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 5 legendary goals from France v Spain 🔥
There have been some bangers. This Thursday evening, France takes on Spain in the semi-finals of the Nations League. Over the years, this matchup has become a classic of international football and has often given us memorable goals. Advertisement To mark the occasion, OneFootball takes you back to the most striking goals from this confrontation. 5️⃣ - Zinédine Zidane (2000) We start with a gentle one with this magnificent free kick from Zinédine Zidane against Spain in the quarterfinals of Euro 2000. 4️⃣ - Franck Ribéry (2006) Franck Ribéry's birth certificate was issued on a June evening in 2006 in Hanover. Perfectly launched by Patrick Vieira, the winger went on to score a goal at least as cult as the comments of Thierry Gilardi that accompanied it. 3️⃣ - Zinédine Zidane (2006) Look, Zizou is back. While the Spanish had sworn to send him into retirement in the round of 16 of the 2006 World Cup, the French maestro delighted throughout the match. Advertisement ZZ even afforded the luxury of definitively killing off Spanish hopes by scoring the 3-1 goal, putting Carles Puyol in the wind. 2️⃣ - Karim Benzema (2021) As France is being roughed up by Spain and has just conceded the first goal in the Nations League final, the Blues react just two minutes after the opening goal thanks to an anthology goal from Karim Benzema. Decisive passer for Kylian Mbappé a little later, the Nueve will have allowed his own to snatch their first Nations League. 1️⃣ - Lamine Yamal (2024) It could hardly be anyone else at the top spot. At just 16 years old, in the semi-finals of the Euro, the Spanish prodigy will allow his team to come back to the score against the French team thanks to a memorable achievement. Advertisement A sublime strike that will also be elected the most beautiful goal of Euro 2024. Tell us which one is your favorite in the comments! Also read: - Spain - France: the mixed XI - Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé's black cat - The 10 most expensive players in the world currently (CIES) This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. 📸 AFP - 2006 AFP
Nahar Net
a day ago
- Sport
- Nahar Net
Ronaldo leads Portugal to Nations League final with first win over Germany in 25 years
by Naharnet Newsdesk 05 June 2025, 16:15 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. France plays Spain in Stuttgart on Thursday in the other semifinal, with Germany awaiting the loser to decide third place.
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First Post
a day ago
- Sport
- First Post
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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. More from Football 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cristiano Ronaldo ends unwanted record after scoring winner for Portugal against Germany
There are not many things that Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't already done in his record-breaking career to date, but the 40-year-old ticked off yet another achievement on Wednesday. The striker scored the winner in Portugal's 2-1 victory against Germany in the UEFA Nations League semifinal, marking the first time Ronaldo has ever beaten Die Mannschaft. Advertisement Ronaldo had lost all five times he previously played Germany and Portugal had not won this fixture in 25 years. As well as ending the unwanted record, the victory also sent Portugal through to the UEFA Nations League final on June 8 where it will face either defending champion Spain or France. In his 220th appearance for the national side, Ronaldo yet again proved the difference. Portugal had initially gone behind in the semifinal after Florian Wirtz headed Germany ahead in the 48th minute, before Francisco Conceição whipped in a brilliant equalizer just after the hour mark. The stage was then set for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to score the winner just five minutes later, tapping into an open net after Nuno Mendes teed him up with a square pass. Advertisement It was Ronaldo's 137th international goal for Portugal and the 937th of his career, extending the two records he already has. Ronaldo ended Portgual's losing streak against Germany with his goal in the second half. - Annegret Hilse/Reuters The last time Portugal beat Germany was back in Euro 2000, when Sérgio Conceição scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win during the group stage. It was fitting, then, that his son Francisco scored in Wednesday's win, helping to end the long-running winless streak. 'We need to enjoy the victory. We won for the first time in a while against Germany,' Portugal manager Roberto Martínez said after the game, per Reuters. 'Tactically, we were exceptional and our commitment helped. It was a team victory. Advertisement 'Now, we can recover and evaluate. We want another performance with personality in this shirt.' Ronaldo's uncertain future Despite his age and the fact he's been playing in Saudi Arabia for the last three seasons, Ronaldo has proven yet again that he has the ability to still perform at a high level. But where exactly he will play next season is currently up for debate. The Portuguese star raised questions about his future with a cryptic social media post last month. 'This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Thanks to all,' Ronaldo wrote with a picture of him in his Al Nassr kit. It comes as FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently suggested that Ronaldo may well play in this year's inaugural Club World Cup, suggesting a move away from Al Nassr which failed to qualify. His contract is set to expire at the end of this season leaving him free to sign with any club he chooses. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at
