Soccer Soccer – Asian Champions League – Group B – Al Nassr v Al Rayyan – Al-Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – September 30, 2024 Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring their second purpose. — Reuters
MUNICH: Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over Germany in Munich on Wednesday, sending Portugal via to the Nations League last and breaking his run of dangerous fortune in opposition to the Germans.
Ronaldo’s 68th-minute tap-in, a record-extending 137th worldwide purpose, sealed a primary win over Germany after 5 losses – his longest streak in opposition to any nationwide facet with out tasting victory.
After a stuttering first half, Florian Wirtz produced a second of magic to present Germany the lead three minutes after half-time, beginning and ending a intelligent burst via the center and heading within the opener.
Portugal’s Francisco Conceicao ran 35 metres to attain a superb solo purpose, levelling issues up with half an hour remaining.
The stage was then set for Ronaldo, who had missed two stable probabilities earlier, to land the telling blow – handing over a Nuno Mendes go from shut vary.
Portugal, winners of the inaugural Nations League in 2019, will now face both European champions Spain or France in Sunday’s last on the identical venue.
The loss is a setback for Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany, who had misplaced simply considered one of their earlier 17 video games.
Portugal had 4 gamers backing up from successful Saturday’s Champions League last – and the following celebrations – however it was Germany who struggled to seek out rhythm early.
The match began 10 minutes late as a result of a violent storm which left hailstones scattered throughout the turf.
Aleksandar Pavlovic mislaid a number of passes whereas Portugal’s method of urgent Jonathan Tah nearly paid dividends, with the defender insecure in possession.
Ronaldo, greeted by Portuguese cheers and German boos each time he got here close to the ball, nearly scored the opener six minutes in, however his shot was claimed by previous La Liga sparring accomplice Marc-André ter Stegen, enjoying his first match for Germany since September 2024.
Wirtz opener
Germany’s greatest likelihood of the opening half fell to debutant Nick Woltemade with 18 minutes gone, however the 1.98-metre-tall striker’s low shot was effectively saved by Diogo Costa.
Ronaldo was inches away from giving Portugal the lead when the guests broke instantly after half-time, however he was unable to get sufficient of his boot on a intelligent Nuno Mendes cross with an open purpose beckoning.
Germany took lower than a minute to punish the miss. Wirtz tiptoed down the left facet, attracting three defenders earlier than shedding for Joshua Kimmich.
The German captain chipped it over the Portugal defence and again to Wirtz, who expertly guided a low header into the underside proper nook.
Each side made three modifications on the 60-minute mark, however it was Roberto Martínez whose substitutions had the telling impression.
5 minutes after approaching, Conceicao shed Robin Gosens with a shimmy close to the midway line and superior goalwards earlier than unleashing an excellent curling shot previous the determined fingers of Ter Stegen.
Ronaldo then put Portugal in entrance, nervelessly tapping in a Nuno Mendes go to make up for his earlier misses – his 137th purpose for Portugal in his 219th worldwide.
Munich-born Karim Adeyemi rattled the crossbar with eight minutes remaining, however Germany couldn’t discover an equaliser and can have to be content material with a third-placed match in Stuttgart on Sunday.
