The UEFA Nations League 2024/25 already has its first finalist. This Wednesday, Portugal left the local Germany behind in Munich (1-2) in a match that Julian Nagelsmann's team was unable to sustain the initial advantage.
After a fairly even first half, the locals took the lead in the 48th minute thanks to a goal from Florian Wirtz. The still midfielder of Bayer Leverkusen defined with a header a cross from Joshua Kimmich, in a controversial action due to a possible previous offside by Nick Woltemade.
The forward was ahead at the beginning of the play, but the main judge, although he was called by the VAR, considered that it was a passive offside. Despite the initial disadvantage, the Portuguese turned over the rival area and turned the score around with two goals in five minutes.
Now, Roberto Martínez's team awaits Spain or France, who this Thursday define the other semi-final key in Stuttgart. La Roja is the current champion of the tournament, while the Gauls kept the 20/21 edition, precisely against the Selection in the final. However, the last precedent between the two favored those of Luis de la Fuente, also in 'semis' of the Euro (2-1).
Portuguese comeback & there will be a two-time champion in the Nations League!
Portugal's comeback started in the 63rd minute thanks to a great goal from Francisco Conceiçao. In the best style of Lamine Yamal, the Juventus winger took a ball on the right and settled towards the front of the area to take a placed shot from medium distance, impossible for Ter Stegen.
Conceiçao only had five minutes on the field, since he had entered in the 58th minute for the former FC Barcelona player Francisco Tricao. In the 68th minute, Portugal turned the score around with another goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. 'CR7' had wasted three very clear chances before, but this time he took the opportunity to push a pass from Nuno Mendes from the left into the goal, after a wall with Bruno Fernandes.
Cristiano seemed to be ahead of the line of the ball at the time of the hit, but the VAR validated the number 138 goal in 220 international matches with his national team. In the final stretch, there were chances in both areas, but the Portuguese were closer to the third than Germany to the tie.
In the end, Portugal gave the surprise in Munich and will look for its second Nations League on Sunday, after winning the first edition (2018/19) as local. In fact, that was the only time that the country that hosts the 'final four' of the tournament was able to win it.
In 2021, Italy fell to Spain, while in 2023 the Netherlands could not beat Croatia. France and Spain ended up winning those editions, with which this 2025, yes or yes, a two-time champion is guaranteed in the UEFA competition.
Ter Stegen was not lucky in his return with Germany
In this way, Germany says goodbye to the Nations League with a painful defeat at home, despite the good work of Ter Stegen. The captain of Barça, although he conceded a couple of goals, made four saves that prevented a greater difference in favor of the Portuguese.
The last, a remarkable double intervention to clear two powerful shots from Diogo Jota and Conceiçao, the latter at point-blank range in what seemed like a done goal. Now, the '1' culé will have vacations while rumors increase about his possible departure from the azulgrana team.
Germany will play on Sunday afternoon (15:00 CEST) the match for third place in Stuttgart, while Portugal will go for its second Nations League in Munich at 21:00. On Thursday, at the same time, Spain and France will play the other 'semi'.
- Follow all the news of the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 and its 'final four' in FCBN!