| Portugal vs Germany | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Portugal vs Germany
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COMPETITION :
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UEFA Nations League
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| DATE: |
05-05-2025
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TIME:
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12.30 AM IST (UTC +5:30)
11.00 PM UAE
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STADIUM
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Allianz Arena
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Germany vs Portugal: Nations League Semi-Final Preview
Germany will host the UEFA Nations League Finals for the first time, and they do so in impressive form. Julian Nagelsmann’s side have lost just one of their last 11 home matches — a narrow defeat to eventual Euro 2024 champions Spain in the quarter-finals. That result, however, hasn’t dimmed growing optimism surrounding the national team.
Heading into Euro 2024, confidence in Germany was low, but performances since then have sparked belief that this side can be genuine contenders at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That potential was on display in March during their quarter-final clash with Italy. After storming to a 5-1 aggregate lead by halftime in the second leg, Germany almost let it slip, conceding three second-half goals and relying on a VAR decision to overturn a late Italian penalty. Despite the scare, they advanced and extended a strong Nations League run.
Germany topped a tricky group with 14 points from a possible 18, outperforming the Netherlands, Hungary, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. They enter this semi-final as favourites — not only to beat Portugal but to go all the way on home soil. History supports them, too: Die Mannschaft have won their last five meetings with Portugal at major tournaments, including victories in the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, and at Euros in 2008, 2012, and 2020.
Portugal, meanwhile, arrive with resilience on their side. The 2019 Nations League champions were moments away from elimination in the quarter-finals, trailing 2-1 on aggregate after a poor first-leg defeat to Italy. But a late equaliser from Francisco Trincão forced extra time, where he struck again to complete the comeback and seal Portugal's place in the last four.
Though considered outsiders in the semi-finals, Roberto Martínez’s squad features several players from their 2019 title-winning run. Their recent performances suggest they’re peaking at the right time. Portugal went unbeaten in their Nations League group, seeing off Croatia, Scotland, and Poland — a crucial response to their underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign, which included a shock loss to Georgia and a penalty shootout escape against Slovenia before a narrow exit to France.
As both nations prepare for the World Cup qualifiers this September, this semi-final clash is more than a shot at silverware — it’s a litmus test of how far they’ve come and what lies ahead.