Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy age and expectations. The 40-year-old legend scored his 137th international goal to help Portugal pull off a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Germany in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, sending his country to their first final in six years.
This victory marks Portugal’s first competitive win over Germany since the 2000 European Championship, ending a 25-year drought filled with frustration and heartbreak.
Ronaldo Strikes Again When It Matters Most
After falling behind early in the second half to a Florian Wirtz header assisted by Joshua Kimmich, Portugal responded with grit and brilliance. In the 63rd minute, Francisco Conceição fired a stunning long-range equaliser to shift the momentum. Just five minutes later, Ronaldo showed why he’s still one of the deadliest finishers in the game.
With perfect timing and positioning, he arrived in the box to tap home a low cross and complete the comeback. It wasn’t the most challenging goal of his career, but it was another example of Ronaldo’s uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, something that separates greats from legends.
Speaking after the match, Portugal manager Roberto Martínez praised his team’s tactical discipline and unity:
“It was a win built on belief, strategy, and collective effort. And of course, having a player like Cristiano who lives for these moments made the difference.”
Ronaldo’s Historic Milestone
With his latest strike, Ronaldo has now scored an astonishing 137 goals for Portugal and made 220 international appearances, both world records. Even more remarkable: since turning 30, he has scored 85 goals for the national team, more than the career totals of many other national legends, including Neymar (79), Harry Kane (71), Toni Kroos (71), Zlatan Ibrahimović (62), and Olivier Giroud (57).
Ronaldo’s overall professional goal tally now stands at 937 goals, a number few imagined possible in modern football.
Francisco Conceição Follows in His Father’s Footsteps
Another standout on the night was young winger Francisco Conceição, who not only scored the equaliser but was also named man of the match. The moment held special meaning; his father, Sérgio Conceição, famously scored a hat-trick against Germany in the 2000 Euros, which had been Portugal’s last win over the Germans until now.
Twenty-five years later, his son helped write a new chapter of Portuguese history.
Portugal Ends the Curse, Eyes Second Nations League Title
Portugal had lost five straight tournament matches against Germany over the past two decades, across World Cups and European Championships. That streak is now broken.
With this win, Portugal moves on to the final, where they will face the winner of the other semi-final between Spain and France. If they win, it will be their second Nations League title after their triumph in the inaugural edition in 2019.
- Final Score: Portugal 2–1 Germany
- Scorers: Francisco Conceição (63’), Cristiano Ronaldo (68’)
- Ronaldo’s International Record: 137 goals, 220 caps
- First Competitive Win vs Germany: 2000
- Next Opponent: Spain or France (in final)
