On the evening of Wednesday, 4 June 2025, the Allianz Arena in Munich hosted one of the most dramatic encounters in recent international football history. A crowd of 65,823 packed the iconic stadium to witness the first UEFA Nations League 2025 semi-final, pitting hosts Germany against the 2019 champions Portugal. What unfolded was a masterclass in second-half football, as Portugal came from behind with two goals inside six breathtaking minutes to reach the final.
This guide delivers the complete breakdown of the Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team lineups, match events, full statistics, player ratings, tactical analysis, head-to-head record, and everything you need to know about this high-stakes Nations League encounter.
Disclaimer: All match details, statistics, lineups, and events are based on publicly available sources at the time of writing and may be subject to updates or corrections. This content is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with any official football organization, league, or governing body.
Match Overview
Germany, making their first-ever appearance at the UEFA Nations League Finals, entered the semi-final on the back of a memorable 5-4 aggregate victory over Italy in the quarter-finals. Julian Nagelsmann’s side were playing on home soil and full of confidence. However, they were without several key players due to injury, most notably Antonio Rudiger and Jamal Musiala, which forced significant tactical adjustments to the Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team lineups.
Portugal, meanwhile, had overcome Denmark 5-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, showing resilience after losing the first leg 1-0 away from home. Roberto Martinez’s side came into Munich with a clear game plan and the individual quality to unlock any defence in Europe.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Match | Germany vs Portugal |
| Competition | UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-Final |
| Date | Wednesday, 4 June 2025 |
| Venue | Allianz Arena (Munich Football Arena), Munich, Germany |
| Attendance | 65,823 |
| Referee | Slavko Vincic (Slovenia) |
| Half-Time Score | 0-0 |
| Full-Time Score | Germany 1-2 Portugal |
| Germany Goals | Florian Wirtz (48′) |
| Portugal Goals | Francisco Conceicao (63′), Cristiano Ronaldo (68′) |
| Player of the Match | Francisco Conceicao (Portugal) |
| Germany Formation | 3-4-2-1 |
| Portugal Formation | 4-2-3-1 |
| Yellow Cards | Ruben Neves 52′ (POR), Roberto Martinez 52′ (POR Coach), Jonathan Tah 80′ (GER), Florian Wirtz 84′ (GER), Niclas Fullkrug 84′ (GER), Ruben Dias 84′ (POR) |
| Red Cards | None |
Germany National Football Team Vs Portugal National Football Team Lineups
Germany Starting XI (Formation: 3-4-2-1)
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc-Andre ter Stegen | Goalkeeper | FC Barcelona |
| 4 | Jonathan Tah | Centre-Back | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 3 | Robin Koch | Centre-Back | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| 2 | Waldemar Anton | Centre-Back | Borussia Dortmund |
| 6 | Joshua Kimmich (C) | Right Wing-Back | Bayern Munich |
| 25 | Aleksandar Pavlovic | Central Midfield | Bayern Munich |
| 8 | Leon Goretzka | Central Midfield | Bayern Munich |
| 18 | Maximilian Mittelstadt | Left Wing-Back | Stuttgart |
| 17 | Florian Wirtz | Attacking Midfield | Bayer Leverkusen |
| 19 | Leroy Sane | Attacking Midfield | Bayern Munich |
| 11 | Nick Woltemade | Centre-Forward | Stuttgart |
Coach: Julian Nagelsmann
Germany Substitutes Used
| Time | Player Off | Player On |
|---|---|---|
| 60′ | Maximilian Mittelstadt | Robin Gosens |
| 60′ | Leroy Sane | Serge Gnabry |
| 60′ | Nick Woltemade | Niclas Fullkrug |
| 71′ | Aleksandar Pavlovic | Karim Adeyemi |
| 71′ | Waldemar Anton | Felix Nmecha |
Portugal Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
| No. | Player | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diogo Costa | Goalkeeper | FC Porto |
| 15 | Joao Neves | Right-Back | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 3 | Ruben Dias | Centre-Back | Manchester City |
| 14 | Goncalo Inacio | Centre-Back | Sporting CP |
| 25 | Nuno Mendes | Left-Back | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 18 | Ruben Neves | Defensive Midfield | Al-Hilal |
| 10 | Bernardo Silva | Central Midfield | Manchester City |
| 16 | Francisco Trincao | Right Wing | Sporting CP |
| 8 | Bruno Fernandes | Attacking Midfield | Manchester United |
| 20 | Pedro Neto | Left Wing | Chelsea |
| 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo (C) | Centre-Forward | Al-Nassr |
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Portugal Substitutes Used
| Time | Player Off | Player On |
|---|---|---|
| 58′ | Ruben Neves | Vitinha |
| 58′ | Joao Neves | Nelson Semedo |
| 58′ | Francisco Trincao | Francisco Conceicao |
| 83′ | Pedro Neto | Diogo Jota |
| 90′ | Cristiano Ronaldo | Joao Palhinha |
Complete Bench Squads
| Germany Bench | Portugal Bench |
|---|---|
| Oliver Baumann (GK) | Jose Sa (GK) |
| Alexander Nubel (GK) | Rui Silva (GK) |
| Pascal Gross | Nelson Semedo |
| Felix Nmecha | Antonio Silva |
| Niclas Fullkrug | Diogo Dalot |
| Thilo Kehrer | Joao Palhinha |
| Karim Adeyemi | Goncalo Ramos |
| Serge Gnabry | Joao Felix |
| Robin Gosens | Renato Veiga |
| David Raum | Rafael Leao |
| Robert Andrich | Pedro Goncalves |
| Tom Bischof | Diogo Jota |
| Deniz Undav | Vitinha |
| N/A | Rodrigo Mora |
| N/A | Francisco Conceicao |
Match Events Timeline
The Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team match was settled entirely in the second half after a goalless but intense first 45 minutes. Here is the full match events timeline:
| Time | Event | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7′ | Save | Diogo Costa denies Cristiano Ronaldo | 0-0 |
| 7′ | Save | Ter Stegen saves from Ronaldo | 0-0 |
| 19′ | Save | Diogo Costa brilliantly denies Woltemade | 0-0 |
| 21′ | Save | Diogo Costa palms away Goretzka drive | 0-0 |
| 45+1′ | Half Time | N/A | 0-0 |
| 48′ | GOAL | Florian Wirtz (header, assist Kimmich) | 1-0 GER |
| 52′ | Yellow Card | Ruben Neves (foul on Woltemade) | 1-0 GER |
| 52′ | Yellow Card | Roberto Martinez (coach, touchline protest) | 1-0 GER |
| 58′ | Triple Sub | Portugal: Trincao, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves OFF; Conceicao, Vitinha, Semedo ON | 1-0 GER |
| 60′ | Triple Sub | Germany: Mittelstadt, Sane, Woltemade OFF; Gosens, Gnabry, Fullkrug ON | 1-0 GER |
| 63′ | GOAL | Francisco Conceicao (curling shot, no assist) | 1-1 |
| 68′ | GOAL | Cristiano Ronaldo (tap-in, assist Nuno Mendes) | 1-2 POR |
| 71′ | Double Sub | Germany: Pavlovic, Anton OFF; Adeyemi, Nmecha ON | 1-2 POR |
| 80′ | Yellow Card | Jonathan Tah (Germany) | 1-2 POR |
| 82′ | Post | Karim Adeyemi rattles the post | 1-2 POR |
| 83′ | Sub | Portugal: Pedro Neto OFF; Diogo Jota ON | 1-2 POR |
| 84′ | Yellow Card | Florian Wirtz (Germany) | 1-2 POR |
| 84′ | Yellow Card | Niclas Fullkrug (Germany) | 1-2 POR |
| 84′ | Yellow Card | Ruben Dias (Portugal) | 1-2 POR |
| 89′ | Double Save | Ter Stegen denies Diogo Jota and Conceicao | 1-2 POR |
| 90′ | Sub | Portugal: Ronaldo OFF; Joao Palhinha ON | 1-2 POR |
| 90+5′ | Full Time | N/A | 1-2 POR |
Match Statistics
The statistics from the Germany vs Portugal semi-final reveal a contest where Portugal were far more dangerous in front of goal, despite Germany enjoying slightly more of the ball over the full 90 minutes.
| Statistic | Germany | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 1 | 2 |
| Ball Possession (Full Match) | 57% | 43% |
| Ball Possession (1st Half) | 54% | 46% |
| Ball Possession (2nd Half) | 57% | 43% |
| Total Shots | 9 | 17 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 6 |
| Shots off Target | 2 | 7 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 3 |
| Shots Inside Box | 8 | 11 |
| Shots Outside Box | 1 | 4 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.11 | 2.92 |
| Big Chances Created | 1 | 4 |
| Goalkeeper Saves | 3 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 3 | 3 |
| Offsides | 2 | 3 |
| Fouls Committed | 9 | 9 |
| Fouls Suffered | 9 | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 (+1 coach) |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Total Passes | 528 | 420 |
| Accurate Passes | 473 | 364 |
| Pass Accuracy | 90% | 87% |
| Free Kicks to Goal | 0 | 0 |
Player Ratings
Germany Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marc-Andre ter Stegen | GK | 7.0 | Double save in 89th minute; 3 saves total |
| Jonathan Tah | CB | 6.4 | Solid in 1st half; yellow card 80′ |
| Robin Koch | CB | 6.5 | Decent defensively; limited attacking output |
| Waldemar Anton | CB | 6.4 | Substituted 71′; reasonable performance |
| Joshua Kimmich | RWB | 7.5 | 100th cap; brilliant assist for Wirtz goal |
| Aleksandar Pavlovic | CM | 6.3 | Tidy in possession; subbed 71′ |
| Leon Goretzka | CM | 6.5 | Active early; faded in second half |
| Maximilian Mittelstadt | LWB | 6.2 | Subbed off 60′ after carrying knock |
| Florian Wirtz | AM | 8.1 | Goal (48′), yellow card (84′); best German player |
| Leroy Sane | AM | 6.3 | Largely ineffective; subbed 60′ |
| Nick Woltemade | CF | 6.6 | Lively debut performance; denied by Costa 19′ |
| Robin Gosens | Sub | 6.2 | Limited impact after 60′ |
| Serge Gnabry | Sub | 6.4 | 50th cap; hit the post via Adeyemi link-up |
| Niclas Fullkrug | Sub | 6.0 | Yellow card; minimal involvement |
| Karim Adeyemi | Sub | 6.5 | Hit the post 82′; best substitute impact |
| Felix Nmecha | Sub | 6.1 | Brief cameo; offered little |
Portugal Player Ratings
| Player | Position | Rating | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diogo Costa | GK | 7.3 | Key saves off Woltemade (19′) and Goretzka (21′) |
| Joao Neves | RB | 6.7 | Disciplined defensively; replaced 58′ |
| Ruben Dias | CB | 6.8 | Commanding in defence; yellow card 84′ |
| Goncalo Inacio | CB | 7.0 | Excellent reading of game throughout |
| Nuno Mendes | LB | 7.6 | Outstanding assist for Ronaldo’s 137th goal |
| Ruben Neves | DM | 6.0 | Yellow card 52′; replaced 58′ |
| Bernardo Silva | CM | 7.2 | Intelligent in possession; key transitional play |
| Francisco Trincao | RW | 6.2 | Quiet until replaced at 58′ |
| Bruno Fernandes | AM | 7.0 | Creative; key in build-up to Ronaldo goal |
| Pedro Neto | LW | 6.5 | Dangerous on the break; subbed 83′ |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | CF | 7.4 | 137th international goal (68′); iconic impact |
| Francisco Conceicao | Sub | 8.3 | Player of the Match; goal (63′); decisive impact |
| Vitinha | Sub | 7.0 | Composed in midfield after coming on 58′ |
| Nelson Semedo | Sub | 6.8 | Solid at right-back after replacing Joao Neves |
| Diogo Jota | Sub | 6.7 | Threat late on; denied by Ter Stegen |
Tactical Analysis
Germany’s 3-4-2-1 System and Its Collapse
Julian Nagelsmann set up his Germany side in an asymmetric 3-4-2-1 formation designed to build patiently from the back with Joshua Kimmich operating as a high-functioning right wing-back and creative fulcrum. Florian Wirtz and Leroy Sane were deployed as a double-10 unit behind lone striker Nick Woltemade. The structure allowed Germany to dominate possession but it depended heavily on Wirtz finding pockets of space and Woltemade holding the ball intelligently.
The system worked reasonably well in the first half, with Germany creating the better openings but failing to convert. Wirtz’s goal in the 48th minute vindicated the approach momentarily. However, once Portugal made their triple substitution at the 58th minute, Germany’s wide areas were increasingly exposed by Francisco Conceicao’s directness and Nuno Mendes’s overlapping runs on the left. Germany’s three-man defence was repeatedly stretched in behind.
Portugal’s Counter-Pressing Transformation
Roberto Martinez’s Portugal entered the game in a 4-2-3-1 shape, sitting deep and relying on Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva to screen the back four while the front line pressed at the right moments. The first half saw Portugal contain Germany well without creating enough going forward.
The triple substitution at 58 minutes changed the game entirely. Francisco Conceicao’s directness on the right completely destabilised Germany’s left-side defence, and Vitinha’s energy in the double pivot gave Portugal far more control in transition. Both goals came from quick, direct plays rather than prolonged possession sequences, illustrating Martinez’s pragmatic tactical flexibility.
Key Tactical Trend: Portugal’s xG Dominance
Portugal’s expected goals figure of 2.92 against Germany’s 1.11 tells the clearest tactical story of the match. Despite Germany having 57% possession, Portugal’s positioning in transition and their clinical use of big chances showed the quality of their attacking structure over the course of 90 minutes.
Head-to-Head Record
The Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team head-to-head record is historically dominated by Germany, though Portugal have now ended a long winless run against Die Mannschaft.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 June 2025 | UEFA Nations League Semi-Final | Munich, Germany | Germany 1-2 Portugal |
| 19 June 2021 | UEFA Euro 2020 Group Stage | Munich, Germany | Germany 4-2 Portugal |
| 2 July 2014 | FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final | Salvador, Brazil | Germany 1-0 Portugal |
| 9 October 2012 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Lisbon, Portugal | Portugal 1-2 Germany |
| 7 October 2011 | FIFA World Cup Qualifier | Dusseldorf, Germany | Germany 6-0 Portugal |
| 29 June 2000 | UEFA Euro 2000 Quarter-Final | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Portugal 3-0 Germany |
Overall Head-to-Head Summary
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Competitive Meetings | 17 |
| Germany Wins | 9 |
| Portugal Wins | 4 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Germany Goals Scored | 32 |
| Portugal Goals Scored | 20 |
| Last 7 Meetings Combined Goals | 26 |
| Last Germany Win vs Portugal | Euro 2020 (4-2) |
| Last Portugal Win vs Germany (pre-2025) | Euro 2000 (3-0) |
Francisco Conceicao noted post-match that his father, Sergio Conceicao, had scored a hat-trick 25 years ago in that 2000 quarter-final, adding a beautiful generational footnote to the Germany vs Portugal narrative.
Recent Form (Pre-Match)
Germany Recent Results (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 June 2025 | Portugal | UEFA NL Semi-Final | L 1-2 |
| April 2025 | Italy (2nd leg) | UEFA NL Quarter-Final | W 2-1 |
| March 2025 | Italy (1st leg) | UEFA NL Quarter-Final | W 3-3 (agg 5-4) |
| November 2024 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | UEFA NL Group Stage | W 7-0 |
| October 2024 | Netherlands | UEFA NL Group Stage | D 2-2 |
Germany were unbeaten in 8 matches before this semi-final, having not lost since their defeat to Spain in July 2024 at Euro 2024.
Portugal Recent Results (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opponent | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 June 2025 | Germany | UEFA NL Semi-Final | W 2-1 |
| April 2025 | Denmark (2nd leg) | UEFA NL Quarter-Final | W 4-2 (aet) |
| March 2025 | Denmark (1st leg) | UEFA NL Quarter-Final | L 0-1 |
| November 2024 | Croatia | UEFA NL Group Stage | W 1-0 |
| October 2024 | Scotland | UEFA NL Group Stage | W 5-2 |
Portugal had lost only one of their last nine Nations League matches (W6 D2) entering this semi-final.
Squad Depth and Key Absentees
Germany Key Absentees
| Player | Position | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Antonio Rudiger | Centre-Back | Injury |
| Jamal Musiala | Attacking Midfield | Injury |
| Kai Havertz | Forward/Midfield | Injury |
Germany were without nine senior players in total for this tournament, which forced Nagelsmann to experiment with his squad and deploy Nick Woltemade as an unconventional centre-forward. These absences were central to why the Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team lineups looked notably different from Germany’s typical first XI.
Portugal Key Players Available
Portugal had a fully fit squad for the semi-final, with Roberto Martinez able to call upon all of his top options including Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, and the game-changing Francisco Conceicao from the bench.
Where To Watch Germany National Football Team Vs Portugal National Football Team
The Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team UEFA Nations League matches have been broadcast across a wide range of platforms globally.
| Region | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Channel 4, TNT Sports |
| United States | FOX Sports, FS1, Fubo TV |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, MagentaTV |
| Portugal | RTP, Sport TV |
| India | Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV |
| Australia | Optus Sport |
| Global (Streaming) | UEFA.tv (selected markets) |
| Spain | TVE La 1, RTVE Play |
| France | TF1, M6 |
Tournament Implications
Portugal’s Road to the Final
With this Germany vs Portugal Nations League victory, Portugal progressed to the final of the 2025 UEFA Nations League to face either Spain or France. Portugal were the inaugural winners of the Nations League in 2019 and were now targeting a second title. Their tactical discipline, squad depth and the late-game impact of players like Francisco Conceicao made them the favourites heading into the final.
The win confirmed Portugal’s status as one of Europe’s elite international sides heading into the next World Cup cycle. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 137th international goal also extended his all-time world record in men’s international football, a remarkable milestone achieved on one of European football’s biggest stages.
Germany’s Third-Place Play-Off
Germany’s defeat meant they dropped into the third-place play-off against the loser of the Spain vs France semi-final, scheduled for Stuttgart on 8 June 2025. While deeply disappointing for Nagelsmann’s side, the tournament overall represented progress for Germany as they appeared in the Nations League Finals for the very first time. Joshua Kimmich celebrated his 100th international cap with a trademark assist, and Serge Gnabry earned his 50th cap, with both milestone moments occurring at the Allianz Arena, the ground where both players also perform their club football.
Nations League Final Results Context
Portugal ultimately won the 2025 UEFA Nations League title, defeating Spain in the final on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra time, claiming their second Nations League crown. Germany finished fourth after the third-place play-off.
Conclusion
The Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team lineups for the UEFA Nations League 2025 semi-final produced one of the most entertaining and dramatic international matches of the year. Germany’s 3-4-2-1 system gave them early control and delivered a well-worked opener through Florian Wirtz’s 48th-minute header, set up by Joshua Kimmich on his milestone 100th appearance.
However, Roberto Martinez’s bold triple substitution at the 58-minute mark completely altered the course of the match. Substitute Francisco Conceicao curled in a brilliant equaliser before the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in Nuno Mendes’s cross to write another chapter in international football history with his 137th international goal.
The Portugal vs Germany encounter demonstrated the quality and depth that the Selecao possess, while Germany will look to regroup ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil. For fans researching the Germany vs Portugal rivalry, this semi-final will be remembered as the night Ronaldo and a star substitute swung the balance away from Die Mannschaft and towards the champions of Europe.
? FAQs
Q1. What was the final score of Germany vs Portugal in the UEFA Nations League 2025 semi-final?
A: Germany 1-2 Portugal.
Q2. When and where was the Germany national football team vs Portugal national football team Nations League match played?
A: Wednesday, 4 June 2025, at Allianz Arena (Munich Football Arena), Munich, with an attendance of 65,823.
Q3. Who scored the goals in the Germany vs Portugal Nations League semi-final?
A: Florian Wirtz (48′) for Germany; Francisco Conceicao (63′) and Cristiano Ronaldo (68′) for Portugal.
Q4. Who was the Player of the Match in Portugal vs Germany?
A: Francisco Conceicao (Portugal), awarded by the UEFA Technical Observer Panel.
Q5. What formation did Germany use against Portugal in the 2025 Nations League?
A: Germany played a 3-4-2-1 formation under Julian Nagelsmann.
Q6. What formation did Portugal use against Germany in the 2025 Nations League?
A: Portugal played a 4-2-3-1 formation under Roberto Martinez.
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