Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Portugal came from behind to beat Germany in Munich. - © Lars Baron

bundesliga

Germany lose UEFA Nations League semi-final to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal

05.06.2025

Germany missed the chance to play in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League final after giving up a 1-0 lead in defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.

Germany 1-2 Portugal
Goals: 1-0 Wirtz 48' (assist: Kimmich), 1-1 Conceição 63' (assist: Ruben Dias), 1-2 Ronaldo 68' (assist: Nuno Mendes)

Following a hail-delayed start to proceedings in Munich, Germany quickly slipped into gear as Leon Goretzka tested Diogo Costa from close range. Portugal responded through Ronaldo, but his snap-shot was too close to the returning Marc-André ter Stegen. A deflection diverted Ronaldo's next effort wide, before Germany debutant Nick Woltemade - fresh from winning the DFB Cup with VfB Stuttgart - combined with Aleksandar Pavlović to force another strong save from Costa. Leroy Sané teed up Bayern teammate Goretzka soon after, but his low strike was met by the cat-like reactions of Costa. Robin Koch then put in a tremendous recovery challenge to prevent Pedro Neto from going through on goal late in a competitive first half.

Germany forged ahead soon after the restart, but not before Ronaldo had failed to divert a Nuno Mendes cross from the left. Florian Wirtz was the scorer, Bayer Leverkusen's talismanic youngster profiting from some defensive hesitancy to head in Joshua Kimmich's chipped pass. Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes went close as Portugal pushed for the equaliser, before substitute Francisco Conceição struck with a solo run and finish Bundesliga great Arjen Robben would have been proud of. Ronaldo completed the turnaround less than five minutes later, the Portugal captain firing in from close range following a strong run by Nuno Mendes. Germany were hanging on as Conceição, thwarted by Kimmich one minute, sent a dangerous shot wide the next. Substitute Karim Adeyemi had the home side's best chance to force extra-time, but his 18-yard strike crashed against the woodwork, leaving Germany to contest the third-placed match instead of the final on 8 June.

Match stats

Germany will face the winner of the other semi-final between France and Spain in the third-placed match in Stuttgart.
Julian Nagelsmann's team were unbeaten in the 2024/25 Nations League, before the Portugal loss.
The Nations League Final Four debutants had also won their last five games in major tournaments against Portugal.
Kimmich became the 14th German to pass the 100-cap mark.
Wirtz has seven goals in 30 senior Germany internationals.
Nagelsmann's record as Germany head coach reads: W12, D6, L4.

Teams

Germany: ter Stegen - Anton (71'), Tah, Koch - Kimmich (c), Pavlović (Adeyemi 71'), Goretzka, Mittelstädt (Gosens 60') - Sané (Gnabry 60'), Woltemade (Füllkrug 70'), Wirtz
Unused subs: Baumann, Nübel, Groß, Undav, Kehrer, Raum, Andrich, Bischof
Out: Amiri (adductor), Bisseck (leg), Burkardt (heel), Havertz (hamstring), Henrichs (Achilles), Kleindienst (knee), Musiala (hamstring), Rüdiger (knee), Schlotterbeck (knee), Stiller (ankle)
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Portugal: Costa - J. Neves (Semedo 58'), Dias, Ignácio, Mendes - R. Neves (Vitinha 58'), B. Silva - Trincão (Conceição 58'), Fernandes, Neto (Jota 83') - Ronaldo (c) (Palhinha 90')
Unused subs: Sá, R. Silva, A. Silva, Dalot, Ramos, João Félix, Veiga, Leão, Gonçalves, Mora
Out: -
Coach: Roberto Martinez

As it happened!

Full-time: Germany 1-2 Portugal

Portugal pulled off a come-from-behind win to reach Sunday's UEFA Nations League final after the visitors recovered from going behind to Florian Wirtz's second-half opener to stun the home fans in Munich. Lively substitute Francisco Conceição struck a fine equaliser in the 63rd minute before Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo netted what would be the winner just five minutes later. Germany will now contest a third-place play-off in Stuttgart on Sunday.

90'

+ 3

Almost there

Vitinha and Palhinha look to finish Germany off in the closing stages, but have to settle for a corner, which they don't look all that bothered with.

90'

Time added on

There will be five minutes of added time in Munich.

90'

Palhinha on

Bayern Munich's João Palhinha is on for the closing minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo makes way.

90'

Substitution

Palhinha

Ronaldo

88'

Immense ter Stegen

The Germany goalkeeper pulls off an absolutely astonishing double stop to deny Jota and then Conceição. That looked game over for Germany.

87'

Time running out

Ronaldo is the latest Portugal player to hit the deck as the visitors look to manage this game towards a scrappy conclusion.

85'

Hold up

This is just what Germany didn't want, as both sets of teams get involved in some handbags. Wirtz seemed to touch Bruno Fernandes off the ball, and the Portugal player was only down a few seconds when he was back up and squaring up to Füllkrug. The referee brandishes several yellow cards.

85'

Yellow card

Días

85'

Yellow card

Füllkrug

84'

Yellow card

Florian Wirtz

83'

Substitution

Jota

Neto

82'

Germany hit the post

Adeyemi has a touch of space inside the area and to the left. He rises a shot off the outside of the near post and wide.

81'

It should be three

There is that Portugal counter-attack we warned about. Conceição flies past Tah and jinks inside but his shot is a touch rushed and curls wide.

79'

Tah sees yellow

Bruno Fernandes looks to nip past Jonathan Tah, who blocks the Manchester United attacker. Tah is booked.

79'

Yellow card

Tah

78'

Crucial Kimmich clearance

Conceição threatens to score his second of the night, but Kimmich is there to make a crucial intervention. Germany are hanging on slightly.

Incredible change

The noise of Portugal's considerable travelling support is prominent inside the Allianz Arena now after Roberto Martínez's men scored twice in five minutes. Can Germany find an equaliser as time ticks down? The home side will need to be extra wary of Portugal's counter-attack as they probe for a goal.

73'

Ronaldo's numbers

Tonight sees the world star take his international goals tally to 137 in what is his 220th senior appearance for Portugal.

71'

Germany changes

Portugal are in the ascendency now and Julian Nagelsmann makes another move with a double swap, Felix Nmecha and Karim Adeyemi thrown into the mix.

71'

Substitution

Felix Nmecha

Waldemar Anton

71'

Substitution

Karim Adeyemi

Aleksandar Pavlović

68'

Visitors lead

Portugal have been on fire since equalising and they storm forward one more time to edge in front. Nuno Mendes, who has been superb tonight, combines with Bruno Fernandes before sprinting into the area and laying one on a plate for Ronaldo, who nets from close range.

68'

Ronaldo

GOAL!

1:2

65'

Full of life

The game is suddenly being played at 100 mp/h following those two goals in the second half.

63'

Portugal level

What an introduction to this game for Portugal sub Francisco Conceição! The Porto attacker - most recently on loan at Juventus - picks up possession on the right and embarks on a diagonal run towards the Germany area before unleashing a darting shot towards the far corner that leaves Ter Stegen well beaten.

63'

Conceição

GOAL!

1:1

60'

Substitution

Füllkrug

Nick Woltemade

60'

Substitution

Serge Gnabry

Leroy Sané

60'

Substitution

Gosens

Maximilian Mittelstädt

59'

Ronaldo off target

Portugal make a triple swap right before a corner kick, which Ronaldo rises to meet but can only head high and wide.

58'

Substitution

Semedo

João Neves

58'

Substitution

Conceição

Trincão

58'

Substitution

Vitinha

Rúben Neves

56'

Almost Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes gets inside the Germany area, checks his run and moves the ball to his right before curling a shot inches wide. Ter Stegen might have had that covered, but it was a close call.

52'

Portugal booking

Rubén Neves sees yellow for a foul on Woltemade.

52'

Yellow card

Rubén Neves

Super Flo

That's senior international goal number seven in what is WIrtz's 30th cap for Germany.

49'

Goal confirmed

The referee was invited to take a second look at the goal to make sure everything was above board. He checks his monitor and confirms the goal: 1-0 Germany.

48'

Wirtz puts Germany ahead

This is all a touch messy from Portugal, but Germany don't care a jot as the hosts take the lead. The visitors try to play their way out from the back but give it away to Wirtz, who is then even given a second bite of the cherry. The ball works its way back to Kimmich, who sends a lovely, chipped pass back in for Wirtz and from inside the area, the Bayer Leverkusen man heads past Diogo Costa's despairing dive.

48'

Florian Wirtz

GOAL!

1:0

47'

Portugal go close

Nuno Mendes flies down the left and whips a brilliant ball towards the far post. Ronaldo arrives stretching but can only divert wide. The Portugal captain would likely have buried that five years ago.

46'

Second half is on

Cristiano Ronaldo gets the second 45' underway in Munich.

Half-time: Germany 0-0 Portugal

Diogo Costa has been the busier of the goalkeepers in this semi-final, with Nick Woltemade and Leon Goretzka enjoying the best of the game's chances. Portugal have, however, looked threatening on the counter-attack. An intriguing second-half awaits!

42'

Breakthrough in sight?

Wirtz curls a pass into the arms of Diogo Costa as Germany push for the opening goal before the break.

40'

Fernandes hurt

Florian Wirtz lands one on Bruno Fernandes, who goes down and needs treatment. That was accidental from the Bayer Leverkusen man, not that Fernandes didn't feel it.

35'

Pace drops

Both sides have relaxed a touch in terms of their pressing game and are content to knock the ball around the slick Allianz Arena pitch for the time being.

32'

Koch spot on

Nuno Mendes spots the run of Pedro Neto and the latter is away one more time in this game. The 25-year-old gets into the Germany area, but is stopped short by the ultra-calm Robin Koch. That was a crucial intervention by the Eintracht Frankfurt defender.

Impossible to predict

Such is the strength of both of these teams, it's hard to predict who might advance to Sunday's showpiece at this point. We've had chances at both ends and decent spells of possession for each of these opponents.

25'

Dominating possession

Roberto Martínez's side have had 59 per cent of the ball and five attempts on goal to Germany's four in this game so far.

Hosts on top

This is Germany's best spell of the game. Sané rolls the ball across to Goretzka, who tries a side-foot finish from a central position. Diogo Costa gets down to push the ball wide. Woltemade glances a header well wide of the target from the resulting set-piece.

18'

Germany chance

Well now, there are whistles around the ground as the hosts demand a spot-kick. Woltemade and Pavlović combine, the latter going down inside the box under pressure from the visiting defence. The loose ball falls to Woltemade, whose shot is parried wide by Diogo Costa. Germany settle for the corner, but can't make it count.

16'

Ronaldo menacing

Here come Portugal and it's their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, who shows off some of his famous step-overs inside the area. He lines up a shot to the far post, but the ball is deflected wide. To Ronaldo's ire, the referee awards a goal-kick.

13'

No go Sané

Germany's No.19 tries to create something but he's blocked in the final third and then kicks Bruno Fernandes, who collapses. The referee thinks about a yellow but his card stays in his pocket.

10'

Over the top

Again Portugal break and it's Pedro Neto again with the ball at his feet. The Chelsea attacker spanks a shot central but over the crossbar.

Exciting start

Both teams have produced an engaging start to this game, with fans of both nations having plenty to cheer thus far. Portugal's counter-attacking approach is helping them to edge proceedings.

Big chance

Germany look to press their opponents but Portugal manage to break through and Pedro Neto bursts away on the left. His cut-back into space looks perfect for Ronaldo, whose swipe to the corner lacks sufficient power to beat ter Stegen.

Hosts respond

Germany come straight back at the 2016 European champions and Diogo Costa is forced into a save from Goretzka's effort from close range.

Portugal on the front foot

Early possession for the visitors. Bernardo Silva gets down the left and whips a dangerous cross into the area. Aleksandar Pavlović clears for a corner, which comes to nothing.

Peeeep!

Some 10 minutes after the scheduled kick-off time, Germany get the ball rolling at the Allianz Arena.

Kimmich honoured

Ahead of his 100th appearance for Germany, Joshua Kimmich is presented with a special award. The Bayern star's debut came all the way back on 29 May, 2016 against Slovakia, when Joachim Löw - who is here this evening - was in charge.

Here they come ...

Germany and Portugal take to the field! It's time for the national anthems ...

Teams in tunnel

Both sides are gathering inside the tunnel as a packed Allianz Arena awaits. The rain has cleared off and the stage looks resplendent ahead of this first semi-final ...

Woltemade's big night

This is a very special occasion for the recent DFB Cup winner with Stuttgart. Already named in Germany's squad for the UEFA European U21 Championship finals in Slovakia that run from 11-28 June, the 6'6" striker takes advantage of some absences in his country's squad to make his senior international debut here in Munich.

Delayed kick-off

We'll have an extra wait to the start of this one, with UEFA confirming that the game is to be delayed after the hail storm that struck the Allianz Arena a short time ago.

Warm-ups underway

After that mini storm, things have cleared up nicely once again and both sets of teams are out on the slick surface and being put through the pre-match paces.

Hail storm!

Rain had been predicted here this evening, and the heavens have just opened above the Allianz Arena, with a heavy downpour of hail forcing the players to race back inside just as the warm-ups were about to begin.

More on that Germany team

VfB Stuttgart forward Nick Woltemade makes his senior Germany bow this evening, while Florian Wirtz and Leroy Sané will look to provide the 23-year-old with plenty of opportunities. Joshua Kimmich captains his country on the night he wins his 100th cap and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen is back between the Germany posts for the first time since October 2024. The hosts will play in a 3-4-3 formation here, with Bayern pair Aleksandar Pavlović and Leon Goretzka marshalling the midfield.

More on that Portugal team

Portugal are fielding recent Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain João Neves at full-back, with Manchester United's Diogo Dalot lacking match practice and sitting on the bench. Neves's PSG teammate, Vitinha, is also among the Portugal subs this evening. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, is all set for a record-extending 220th international appearance.

Germany starting XI

ter Stegen - Anton, Tah, Koch - Kimmich (c), Pavlović, Goretzka, Mittelstädt - Sané, Woltemade, Wirtz

Germany subs

Baumann, Nübel, Groß, F. Nmecha, Füllkrug, Undav, Adeyemi, Kehrer, Gnabry, Gosens, Raum, Andrich, Bischof

Portugal starting XI

Costa - J. Neves, Dias, Ignácio, Mendes - R. Neves, B. Silva - Trincão, Fernandes, Neto - Ronaldo (c)

Portugal subs

Sá, R. Silva, Semedo, A. Silva, Dalot, Palhinha, Ramos, João Félix, Veiga, Leão, Gonçalves, Jota, Vitinha, Mora, Conceição

Special atmosphere

Lest we forget, both sets of fans are looking to help their respective teams reach Sunday's showpiece, which will also be held in Munich. The losing semi-finalists will contest a third-place play-off in Stuttgart earlier on Sunday.

What it's all about

The Nations League trophy is in the house! It stands at 71 cm tall and has so far been won by three teams: Portugal, France and Spain. All three nations are taking place in this years semi-finals, along with hosts Germany.

Teams arriving

Things are really beginning to get busy now and we've just seen Portugal's players getting a feel for the surface inside the stadium. Team news will be dropping very soon.

The countdown continues

Fans are streaming into the Allianz Arena as the atmosphere builds ahead of tonight's mouthwatering last-four encounter.

3:16

Tonight's venue!

As we edge ever closer to kick-off in tonight's Nations League semi-final, it's time to take a flying visit to the venue for Germany's encounter against Portugal: Bayern Munich's mighty Allianz Arena!

No number 10

Füllkrug will wear the number 9 shirt on his return to the national team, but there will be no number 10 in the Germany squad. The shirt numbers jump from 9 to Nick Woltemade's 11 with Jamal Musiala absent. The injured Bayern man did drop by the team hotel last night to have dinner though.

Tonight's referee...

...is Slavko Vinčić from Slovenia, who last took charge of a Germany game in Munich in October 2024 when the hosts defeated the Netherlands 1-0 in their UEFA Nations League game.

In the other direction

While the Bundesliga has had its fair share of Portuguese players over the years, there have also been plenty of German players that have made the switch to the Portuguese league. Julian Draxler, Julian Weigl, Jan Niklas-Beste and Luca Waldschmidt all represented Benfica, as did the late Robert Enke and Hans-Jörg Butt. Another former 'keeper, Timo Hildebrand, also made the switch to Lisbon during his career, but played in the green and white of Sporting Lisbon rather than the red of Benfica. Former Bayern defender and Germany U21 international Bright Arrey-Mbi is currently representing SC Braga.

Put through their paces

The squad, which includes a returning Niclas Füllkrug, continued their preparations yesterday for their meeting with Portugal.

Continuity is key

From the squad for their previous win against Portugal at EURO 2020, five players remain in the current squad: Leon Goretzka, Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Robin Koch and Robin Gosens. Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger and Manuel Neuer started in that game, but will miss out this time as a result of injuries and fitness issues.

Portugal in the Bundesliga

Aside from Palhinha and Guerreiro, there are a few other Portuguese players plying their trade in the Bundesliga. RB Leipzig's Andre Silva has been in the league since 2019, while Wolfsburg's Tiago Tomás joined the party in 2022. Diogo Leite of Union Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt's Aurelio Buta are the remaining players flying the Portuguese flag in Germany's top tier.

Palhinha to face Bayern teammates

João Palhinha is the only Bundesliga representative in the Portugal squad, with his Bayern teammate Raphael Guerreiro missing out this time around. He'll be facing Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Aleksander Pavlović and Joshua Kimmich from his club side, as well as the new additions of Tom Bischof and Jonathan Tah.

Happy Birthday, Lukas Podolski!

The 2014 world champion and former Bayern Munich and Cologne man turns 40 today. 'Poldi' collected 130 caps for the national team, scoring 49 goals, as well as making 210 Bundesliga appearances.

Following in the footsteps

Following the women's team's dominant 6-0 win over Austria yesterday evening, can Julian Nagelsmann's side follow their example and secure the three points against Portugal? It'll certainly be a tough test, but they can take plenty of encouragement from Christian Wück's team.

Roberto Martínez on Germany

“It’s not just Portugal, it's how well Germany play," the Portugal coach said in his pre-match press conference. "We know Germany very well. We know the team. He [Nagelsmann] doesn’t favour individual players, some have specific skills but he focusses on the team. That’s the highest challenge for us."

Bruno Fernandes on Germany

"They are one of the best teams in the world but so are we," the Manchester United midfielder told UEFA's official website. "We have players that can put in heroic efforts and if one player has a moment of inspiration we can win the game. But we know how hard we have to work to beat Germany.”

Goretzka on Kimmich

"One hundred caps at his age, I also don’t get the sense that he plans to stop anytime soon, that’s an incredible achievement. It’s great to see him rewarded for all the work he puts into his body, the discipline he has, always staying fit, always being there, always being ready to play for his team.And I think as our captain, he’s almost always aware of his role as a leader and example. So I’m really happy for him. One hundred caps is definitely a big milestone."

Nagelsmann on Ronaldo threat

"It's extraordinary to perform at this level for so long. He's scored so many goals and had a lot of influence on the teams he played for. I hope he won't have a lot of influence tomorrow. Despite his age, he's still very dangerous, a goal threat, strong in the air, in the penalty box and hasn't lost his ability to read the game. We have to be wary of that."

Nagelsmann on team selection

"I have nine out of 11 positions in mind," said the former Bayern, Leipzig and Hoffenheim boss. "There are a few final decisions to be made. The players have yet to be informed, but if they paid attention in training they’ll have a feeling of whether they’re starting or not."

Nagelsmann on "mini-Euro"

"It's a kind of mini-EURO," the Germany coach told the pre-match press conference. "I'm looking forward to the game with our fans, in a nice stadium. Hopefully we'll play two games there. That would be perfect. We're all happy to play this tournament in Germany."

Goretzka on playing in Munich

"Of course, it's a home game for me and for a few other players. I'm happy because I love playing in this stadium. I'm very much looking forward to the game. We know Portugal are an exceptional team."

Goretzka: "We're excited"

"We're excited. It’s a special situation for many of us, we just had a short break for about a week," the Bayern midfielder told UEFA. "We’ve already been pushing hard in training again, and we’re looking forward to getting started now."

Nagelsmann on attacking options

"We have more than three options up front," the Germany coach told UEFA's website. "Sometimes we even play with a midfielder as well.But yeah, we have Nick [Woltemade], we have Fülle [Niclas Füllkrug], we have Deniz [Undav], a lot of players who can play that position. We might even play with two strikers. But we’ll have a lot of players who can score goals."

A spot of revenge

Portugal did win the most recent meeting of the two countries as a late goal earned a 2-1 victory over Marc-Patrick Meister's Germany in the group stage of the U17 EURO late last month. Portugal then went on to beat France in the final - Nagelsmann's men will be doing everything they can to avoid a repeat of that.

Ronaldo & Portugal vs. Germany

The Portuguese icon has lost all five times he's faced Germany. In fact, Germany have won 11 of the duo's 19 previous meetings. Portugal last triumphed in the fixture in a EURO 2000 group stage game, almost 25 years ago.

An omen?

Germany started their 2014 World Cup-winning run with a 4-0 thumping of Portugal in Brazil. There are no Germany players still in the squad from that game, but Cristiano Ronaldo did feature for Portugal.

Gosens back to haunt Portugal?

When the pair met at EURO 2020, Robin Gosens was the star man as Germany won 4-2 at the Allianz Arena. Gosens is joined by Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Robin Koch and Leroy Sané in having been part of that match and also potentially being part of this one.

Press conference incoming

Coach Julian Nagelsmann and Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka - and not teammate and captain Joshua Kimmich - will be in the press conference at the Allianz Arena from 6:30pm CEST.

Anniversary shirt

Germany will be wearing the white shirt inspired by the 1974 FIFA World Cup-winning kit and designed to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the founding of the German Football Federation, the DFB.

100 up for Kimmich

He'll become just the 14th player to do so for Germany: “These 100 international matches show that I’ve consistently performed at a high level over the past nine years - and that I’ve managed to stay healthy and fit throughout,” said the Bayern man in trademark matter-of-fact fashion.

Amiri withdraws

Things are not getting any easier for Germany on the injury front with Nadiem Amiri joining his Mainz club-mate Jonathan Burkardt and Inter's Yann Aurel Bisseck out of contention for the final four. The 28-year-old Amiri complained of pain in an adductor muscle, ending of his hopes of featuring for Nagelsmann's side this week.

Bisseck blow

The DFB confirmed the bad news surrounding Yann Aurel Bisseck that many had predicted after witnessing Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan. Bisseck was brought on by the Italian side as a sub at the weekend, but he soon hobbled off with a thigh issue that will rule him out of the Nations League final four. Thilo Kehrer has since been called up by Julian Nagelsmann.

Burkardt out

There was bad news for Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt on Sunday, with the 24-year-old having to drop out of the Germany squad with a cut heel sustained in training that required stitches. The forward has left the Germany set-up and will take no part in his country's upcoming games.

Germany squad

Goalkeepers: ter Stegen, Baumann, Nübel

Defenders: Kimmich, Tah, Anton, Mittelstädt, Koch, Raum, Andrich, Kehrer

Midfielders: Groß, Goretzka, Nmecha, Gnabry, Gosens, Pavlović, Bischof

Strikers: Füllkrug, Woltemade, Undav

Portugal squad

Goalkeepers: Costa, Sá, R. Silva

Defenders: Dalot, A. Silva, Dias, Mendes, Semedo, Veiga, Inácio

Midfielders: J. Neves, Vitinha, Palhinha, R. Neves, Gonçalves, Mora

Strikers: Ronaldo, Ramos Félix, Trincão, Neto, Jota, Conceição

Head-to-head

Including fixtures as West-Germany, Germany and Portugal have faced each other a total of 19 times. Of those 19 games, Germany have won 11 and Portugal three. Five games have ended in draws, with the most recent encounter taking place at Euro 2020, where Germany won 4-2.

Wizardry Wirtz

Although hampered somewhat by injuries in the second half of the campaign, Wirtz has once again shown why he is one of the hottest prospects in the world. He is now one of the faces of both the Bundesliga and the national team, and he will be hoping to demonstrate his exceptional talents once more on Wednesday. In the Nations League, he has three goals and four assists.

Portugal's flying full-back

Like Kimmich, Portugal's Nuno Mendes also has five assists this campaign, and despite appearing in the UEFA Champions League final on 31 May, he has still been named in the squad. Mendes has been charging up and down Paris Saint-Germain's left flank all season, and he will no doubt be doing the same for Portugal against Germany should he be fit to play.

Captain fantastic

Germany's captain Kimmich has had a fantastic season once again, both for Bayern Munich and Germany. His displays in the quarter-final against Italy were as good as anyone could hope for from a captain. He also sits in joint-first for tournament assists with five.

Ronaldo Portugal's talisman once more

Who else? Even at 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo is still Portugal's star man, and he once again leads the team in goals with six. A number that has him in third overall in the competition behind Erling Haaland on seven and Viktor Gyökeres on nine.

Germany's top scorer misses out

Tim Kleindienst has been Germany's top scorer in this season's competition, scoring four goals, although the Gladbach striker will miss the finals through injury. The hosts do have a host of other talent available to them, though, such as Musiala, Wirtz and Undav, who all have three goals in the competition.

History in the tournament

Portugal overcame the Netherlands in the inaugural 2018/19 edition of the competition in Porto, thanks to a goal from Gonçalo Guedes, but have not made the finals since. Germany, meanwhile, have reached the competition's finals for the first time and they are the only side in the finals not to have already won the tournament.

Possession-based football

Both sides like to play with the ball rather than counter-attacking, which should make for an interesting midfield battle. They have both averaged over 58% possession so far this tournament, Germany 58.6%, Portugal 58.4%; the third and fourth best numbers in the competition.

Goals galore

Germany are the Nations League's top scorers with 23 goals so far this campaign. That is four more than Sweden in second and five more than Portugal and Spain in third.

A captain Kimmich masterclass

Over the course of that quarter-final, Kimmich scored one and assisted four others in what were two sensational performances.

How Germany got to the semis

Like Portugal, Germany also topped their group comfortably, finishing above the Netherlands with 14 points. This set up a quarter-final against Italy, who had narrowly missed out on topping group A2 on goal difference. Germany won the first leg 2-1 in Italy after conceding early on before taking a 3-0 half-time lead in the home fixture to move ahead 5-1 on aggregate. In the second half, Italy fought back spectacularly to make it 3-3 on the night and 5-4 overall, but they were unable to find an equaliser to take the game to extra time. This result set up Wednesday's blockbuster fixture.

How Portugal got to the semis

Portugal dominated their Nations League group, picking up 14 points on the way to topping group A1 of the Nations League format. This earned the winners of the inaugural 2018/19 tournament a match-up against A4 runners-up Denmark. Portugal lost the first leg in Denmark 1-0 before battling back in the second leg to win 5-3 on aggregate after extra time.

The hosts

Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena provides the backdrop to this semi-final, just days after hosting the UEFA Champions League final. The other Nations League semi between Spain and France takes place at VfB Stuttgart's MHP Arena on Thursday, before the third-place playoff at the same venue next Sunday. The final will be played later that day, back at the Allianz Arena.

Welcome along!

A very warm welcome to our blog coverage of the UEFA Nations League semi-final between Germany and Portugal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, 4 June (kick-off: 9pm CEST).

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Musiala returns to team training

The Bayern playmaker is taking the next steps in his recovery from a horror injury sustained at the Club World Cup.

17.12.2025