Who: Germany vs Portugal
What: UEFA Nations League semifinal
When: Wednesday
The place: Allianz Area in Munich, Germany
Learn how to observe our protection: We’ll have all of the build-up from 6pm (16:00 GMT) on Al Jazeera Sport.
Hosts Germany and Portugal, the winners of the 2019 inaugural version, face off within the first of the UEFA Nations League semifinals.
Holders Spain and France play within the different tie on Thursday with their match being performed in Stuttgart.
Al Jazeera Sport seems on the first of the video games and the place the match itself ranks:
What’s the UEFA Nations League?
The competitors was fashioned to provide extra which means to worldwide matches performed outdoors the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championships.
As a substitute of a circulate of worldwide friendlies, which had turn out to be devalued by gamers and followers alike, nations now compete in a structured format that ends in a rustic being topped Nations League champions.
Does Nations League success convey World Cup qualification?
The groups that end within the high two of their World Cup qualifying teams in Europe will routinely progress to the FIFA World Cup.
The 4 highest positioned groups from the Nations League that didn’t end within the high two of their World Cup qualifying teams are then given an additional shot at reaching the worldwide sport’s showpiece occasion.
It’s an added incentive to all groups as a back-up plan ought to their official World Cup qualifying marketing campaign fall flat.
How is the Nations League structured?
There are 4 teams in League A of the Nations League, 4 in League B and 4 in League C.
The highest two groups from every of the League A teams qualify for the knockout levels of the competitors, which begins on the quarterfinals stage. Leagues B and C attempt to acquire promotion to League A to incentivise all groups of their worldwide match-ups and to supply the possibility of reaching the ultimate and lifting the trophy to all.
Cristiano Ronaldo aiming for a second #NationsLeague title 🇵🇹🏆 pic.twitter.com/VMzf5JFEMA
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 3, 2025
Who did Germany and Portugal beat within the quarterfinals?
Germany, who completed high of Group 3 in League A, beat Italy 5-4 of their last-eight encounter over two legs.
Portugal, who completed high of Group 1, beat Denmark 5-3 on aggregate of their quarterfinal.
Each side had been unbeaten within the six-match group stage, which concluded in November.
What’s the newest on Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo is to start out the semifinal for Portugal regardless of the thriller surrounding his rapid membership future – which seems prone to result in an appearance at FIFA’s Club World Cup this month.
The previous Manchester United and Actual Madrid star posted on social media on the ultimate day of the Saudi Professional League that his time with Saudi Arabian top-flight group Al Nassr had come to an finish.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had already revealed that talks had been beneath method for a mortgage for Ronaldo to play for one of many groups competing on the competitors being staged in america.
A star efficiency by the 40-year-old within the semifinal and potential last of the Nations League would considerably up the stakes for his subsequent transfer – and his potential late arrival as a headline act on the Membership World Cup.
Who did Portugal beat within the inaugural last?
Portugal beat the Netherlands 1-0 within the 2019 last.
The match itself was performed on dwelling soil for the Portuguese at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao, the place Goncalo Guedes scored the one purpose of the sport within the sixtieth minute.
What the managers mentioned earlier than the semifinal?
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany coach: “The purpose is to win the Nations League title. We need to carry out, ship outcomes and win titles, and for us as a bunch, it’s essential. Spain proved how necessary this match could be once they gained it earlier than triumphing at Euro 2024. After I have a look at the faces of our gamers, I see motivation and pleasure. I’m trying ahead to the ambiance within the stadium.”
Roberto Martinez, Portugal coach: “There aren’t many alternatives in worldwide soccer to win trophies, and there may be nothing higher than doing so. The necessary factor is that we’re right here, and the ultimate 4 is the place we’ve got to be. This group have proven important resilience over these two and a half years, and going through groups like Germany, adopted by possibly Spain or France, are excellent challenges to proceed getting ready the group for the World Cup.”
Head-to-head
This would be the twelfth time that the 2 nations have met. Germany has gained on seven events, and Portugal has recorded only one win.
The Germans have gained the final 5 encounters, which had all been at both FIFA World Cups or UEFA European Championships.
Portugal’s final win got here within the group stage of Euro 2000 with Sergio Conceicao scoring all of the objectives in a 3-0 victory towards the then-holders, who had been eradicated.
The Germans have since exacted a heavy revenge on the Portuguese, together with a 4-2 group stage win of their final encounter in 2021 on the delayed Euro 2020 championships.
The place will the Nations League last be staged?
The Allianz Area, which can be internet hosting the primary semifinal, will even stage the ultimate on Sunday.
Germany group information
Out: Amiri, Bisseck, Havertz, Henrichs, Kleindienst, Musiala, Rudiger, Schlotterbeck, Stiller
Germany have a string of accidents however do welcome again long-term absentee Marc-Andre ter Stegen in purpose.
Who replaces Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala in midfield might be one of many key questions, however the absences of Actual Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger and Arsenal ahead Kai Harvertz will even be closely felt.
Portugal group information
Out: Cancelo
Portugal are boosted by an nearly absolutely match squad with solely Al Hilal defender Joao Cancelo leaving a void to be stuffed.
Potential Germany and Portugal lineups:
Potential Germany XI: ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Koch, Raum; Goretzka, Gross; Adeyemi, Wirtz, Sane; Fullkrug
Potential Portugal XI: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, Neves; Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
