Germany Falls to Portugal in thrilling Nations League Semi-Final
Munich, Germany – In a rematch of their EURO 2020 group stage encounter, Germany and Portugal clashed in the first semi-final of the Nations League finals. The match, held at the same venue as their previous meeting, saw Portugal emerge victorious after a hard-fought battle.
Did you know? This was the first time germany and Portugal had faced each other in Munich since their EURO 2020 group stage match.
The game experienced a delayed start due to a hailstorm. Germany initially showed promise, with Leon goretzka having an early possibility just outside the penalty area, but he failed to beat Portugal’s goalkeeper, Diogo Costa. Nick Woltemade also had a chance to score, but his shot went wide. While Germany struggled to penetrate Portugal’s defense, the visitors posed a significant threat on the counter-attack.
Second-Half Surge and Setbacks
Germany began the second half strongly. Florian Wirtz won the ball through a counterpress and passed to Joshua Kimmich, who then chipped the ball back to Wirtz, who headed it home. However, Portugal responded emphatically. Francisco Conceiรงรฃo, with little opposition, dribbled through the midfield and scored a long-range goal past Marc-Andrรฉ ter Stegen to equalize. Shortly after, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a tap-in from a Nuno Mendes cross, giving Portugal a 2-1 lead.
Pro Tip: Counterpressing, as demonstrated by Wirtz, can be a highly effective tactic to regain possession in crucial areas of the field.
Despite ter Stegen’s extraordinary saves, including a late double save, Germany’s attack struggled to create meaningful chances. The match ended in a 2-1 defeat for the home side.
This loss marks Germany’s first defeat as their EURO 2024 quarter-final exit against Spain. They will now face the loser of the other semi-final between France and Spain in Stuttgart.
Player Ratings: Germany
- marc-Andrรฉ Ter Stegen (5): Made his first start since returning from a knee injury. He saved an early shot from Ronaldo but was unable to stop Conceiรงรฃo’s long-range strike or ronaldo’s close-range goal.
- Robin Koch (5): Filled in for injured players in the back three. He made a crucial block on Pedro Neto.
- Waldemar Anton (5): Substituted after 71 minutes. His place in the team is uncertain once Antonio Rudiger and Nico Schlotterbeck return.
- Jonathan Tah (4): Was at fault for Portugal’s second goal.
- joshua Kimmich (7): Assisted Wirtz’s goal with a chipped pass on his 100th cap for Germany. He was one of Germany’s better players.
- Leon Goretzka (5): His partnership with Pavlovic exposed Germany defensively.
Goretzka still has qualities that he brings to the table; however, playing next to Pavlovic does not bring the best out of him. This pairing makes Germany too exposed in defense, and that showed with the goals that were conceded, especially the first.
- Aleksandar Pavlovic (6):
The challenge for Nagelsmann will be finding the perfect partner for Pavlovic. When he has been fit, he has shown that he will be a key part for Germany going forward, and it is now finding who can play next to him (probably Angelo Stiller)
- Maximilian Mittelstรคdt (6): Provided width and defensive support.
- florian Wirtz (7): Scored Germany’s only goal and demonstrated his work rate.
It is safe to say that Wirtz is the man of the moment in German football right now, and he proved it tonight. Not only was he the only player in the attack who was at least trying to create something, but he also showed his work rate for the opener when he counterpressed Trincao to win the ball back.
- Leroy Sanรฉ (5): created the joint most chances in the game (3), but apart from that,he did not look at times in the game.
- Nick Woltemade (5): Struggled in his debut for the national team.
You could tell this was Woltemade’s first game for the senior national team, as he struggled to get into the game.We all know the qualities that the 23-year-old does bring,but none of them were on show tonight.
- Others: Niclas Fรผllkrug (5),Serge Gnabry (5),Robin Gosens (5),Karim Adeyemi (5),Felix Nmecha (5)
