Germany vs. Portugal highlights: Top plays from the UEFA Nations League semis

Spain and France are up next! That game will take place Thursday in Stuttgart, with the victors taking on Portugal on Sunday for the final back in Munich. 
 

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal in the 68th minute gives Portugal the 2-1 win over Germany in Munich to secure a spot in Sunday's UEFA Nations League final. 

A tight start to the game at Allianz Arena gave way to a heartstopping second-half, with Florian Wirtz initially giving the hosts the lead on a well-placed header past keeper Diogo Costa in the 48th minute. 

But then Francisco Conceicao responded with a curling strike that leveled the game in the 63rd minute. And then five minutes later, it was time for Ronaldo to shine. The timeless Portuguese captain gave his side the winning goal after latching onto a tap-in from Nuno Mendes' pass for the 137th international goal of his career. 

It was also Portugal's first win in Germany in 25 years; they now await the winner of Thursday's other semifinal between France and Spain. 

Cristiano Ronaldo comes off the pitch, subbed off in the final moments as Portugal want to run this thing out. He leaves the pitch to resounding applause and he in return acknowledges the love. 

Portugal had two amazing looks with just minutes to spare but its the Germany keeper who rises to the occasion! Marc-André ter Stegen denies Francisco Conceicao once again, before Diogo Jota also sees his look parried out of bounds. 

We're set up for a nervy ending with under 10 minutes left in Munich. Francisco Conceicao had a stellar chance to seal it, but his curler goes just wide. Then it's a big miss for Germany as Karim Adeyemi beats Diogo Costa, only for his left-footed shoot to ricochet off the post.

The official is trying to keep this affair under control, with more yellow cards getting handed out, including to Germany goalscorer Florian Wirtz. 

It's now the 137th goal in 220 international appearances for Cristiano Ronaldo. He has Portugal in the driver's seat to get back to the Nations League final, which they won in the inaugural 2019 edition. 

Cristiano Ronaldo taps it in and now Portugal take the lead, 2-1! Things have turned around here in Munich. 

It's a straightforward finish for the 40-year-old after some crisp passing by Nuno Mendes and Bruno Fernandes, finding Ronaldo for a clutch lay-off, and the record goalscorer taps it home.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores to give Portugal a 2-1 lead over Germany

Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the second half and gave Portugal a 2-1 lead over Germany in the semifinals of the UEFA Nations League.

The second half has been electric and now we have a game!

A beautiful goal by Francisco Conceicao to tie things up between Portugal and Germany. Just a second international goal in his career, but it comes at a key moment of the match. The Juventus striker finds space from Robin Gosens and curls into a sweet strike past a diving Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

It's getting testy in Munich after Germany's goal – a couple of yellow cards for Portugal – and a slew of substitutions for visitors to find a way to get into the game. 

Bruno Fernandes nearly puts it level for Portugal with a big shot from outside the box and sails just wide of the net, with Ter Stegen putting just enough of his glove on it to parry it out of play. 

 

Florian Wirtz guides the ball past a diving Diogo Costa into the far corner with a well-placed header and Germany take the 1-0 lead in the 48th minute!

A fine goal with Joshua Kimmich – on his 100th international cap for the Germans - chipping it over the top of the Portuguese backline to find Wirtz. After a VAR check on whether there was a foul in front of net, the official confirms the goal. 

Florian Wirtz's header gives Germany a 1-0 lead over Portugal

Germany took a 1-0 lead over Portugal in the UEFA Nations League after he scored by way of a header.

Coming out of the locker room and Cristiano Ronaldo nearly gets Portugal on the scoreboard! The Portugal captain tries to stretch all he can to get on the end of Nuno Mendes' precision past, but can only prod to the side of the net. Ronaldo's best look yet in this game. 

Germany has the advantage in the stats but nothing yet to set them apart with a chance to advance on the line. Germany has kept Portugal keeper Diogo Costa busy, while Pedro Neto has created some chances for the visitors. Cristiano Ronaldo has shown some flashes as well but not enough to put his stamp on this game. 

Catch Up with Highlights

UEFA Nations League - Germany vs. Portugal

A couple of corner kicks sandwiched around Goretzka's close shot has the Portuguese a bit on their heels. Diogo Costa springs into action with a nice diving save on Goretzka's strike to keep things level.

After the brief weather delay, the game begins with a couple of early opportunities for both sides. Germany has some early looks on goal with Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, but it's Cristiano Ronaldo who gets a nice shot that's then saved by keeper Marc-André ter Stegen.

Stormy weather caused a 10-minute delay to the kickoff time. 

Germany goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and reserve keepers Oliver Baumann and Alexander Nubel had to run for cover from a heavy hail shower as they warmed up, and referee Slavko Vinčić checked the field afterward to make sure Wednesday’s game could go ahead, albeit with the slight delay.

UEFA had earlier warned fans to allow extra travel time and dress appropriately with storms forecast for Munich.

European soccer’s governing body said it was monitoring "the meteorological situation closely along with the relevant local authorities."

Germany’s national weather service warned of the risk of storms, high winds and hail late Wednesday in the state of Bavaria, where Munich is the capital.

Cristiano Ronaldo is in Roberto Martínez's first XI vs. Germany.

Ronaldo has scored six goals during the 2024/25 Nations League campaign, which is tied for the fourth-most in the tournament.

Newly-minted UEFA Champions League winners Nuno Mendes and Vitinha are also starting in the semifinal.

Florian Wirtz starts in the middle for Julian Nagelsmann's side. Wirtz has been linked with a big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen to reigning Premier League champions Liverpool FC.