The UEFA Nations League Begins With Germany Vs. Portugal.
Just days after serving as the venue for the UEFA Champions League final, Munich’s Allianz Arena is preparing for another high-profile showdown this Wednesday. Germany will face Portugal in the first of two UEFA Nations League semi-finals scheduled for this week.
This marks Germany's first appearance in the Nations League finals, while Portugal aim to upset the hosts and become the tournament's first two-time champions.
Live Stream: Watch Germany Vs Portugal Live In HD
Not only is this the first Nations League match between these nations, but it also represents their first competitive encounter outside a major international tournament since 1997.
Germany, hosting the finals for the first time, enter the semi-finals in strong home form—having suffered just one defeat in their last 11 matches on German soil, a Euro 2024 quarter-final loss to eventual winners Spain.
Ahead of Euro 2024, expectations around the German squad were modest. However, following a solid showing at the tournament and promising results since, optimism is growing for their prospects leading into the 2026 World Cup. In the Nations League quarter-finals, Germany dominated Italy early, holding a 5-1 aggregate lead by halftime in the second leg. But they came close to squandering it, conceding three second-half goals and needing a VAR intervention to overturn a late penalty against them.
Germany continued their strong run in the group stage, finishing top of a group featuring the Netherlands, Hungary, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, earning 14 out of a possible 18 points.
Now widely seen as the frontrunners to lift the Nations League trophy on home turf, Germany have also enjoyed a five-match winning streak against Portugal. The two sides have a storied rivalry, with Germany emerging victorious in previous key encounters at Euro 2000, the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, and the European Championships in 2008, 2012, and 2020.
Portugal, on the other hand, are under pressure. Head coach Roberto Martinez has faced criticism following an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign. Their Nations League quarter-final win over Denmark was far from convincing—Portugal trailed after the first leg and were close to elimination in the return fixture. A late equalizer and extra-time goal from Francisco Trincao eventually pushed them through.
Though considered outsiders among the final four, Portugal still retain several players from their 2019 title-winning squad. A strong showing in the semi-finals could build valuable momentum ahead of World Cup qualifying this September, where they are set to face Ireland, Hungary, and Armenia.
After a disappointing Euro 2024—which included defeats to France and Georgia and a penalty shootout win over Slovenia—Portugal bounced back with an unbeaten Nations League group stage campaign against Croatia, Scotland, and Poland.
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