Cristiano Ronaldo Aims for Historic Win Against Germany in UEFA Semifinal

MÚNICH, Alemania — Portugal faces Germany on June 4 in the UEFA Nations League semifinal at the Munich Football Arena, and Cristiano Ronaldo is ready for a pivotal match that could change his legacy.

At 40 years old, Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 136 goals, has historically struggled against Germany, with a record of zero wins in five international encounters. His defeats include a painful loss in the 2006 World Cup and setbacks during the Euro 2008 and Euro 2020.

This time, he hopes to lead his team to victory and contrast his past misfortunes. “It’s very important for us,” said Vitinha, a key player for Portugal who recently won the Champions League with PSG. “Facing the home team in their stadium will be challenging, but we are determined to win a trophy.”

Both teams come to this semifinal undefeated in the tournament. Germany advanced after a thrilling 5-4 victory over Italy, while Portugal secured its spot by defeating Denmark. The match kicks off at 1 p.m. CDT and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Germany’s coach, Julian Nagelsmann, expressed his team’s desire to secure the Nations League title for the first time. However, injuries will sideline several critical players, including Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz. “This tournament is vital for us,” Nagelsmann said. “Our goal is to win.”

Meanwhile, Portugal’s manager, Roberto Martínez, confirmed that most of his star players are available, while Joao Cancelo is the only absentee. “Winning trophies doesn’t come around often, so we need to seize this opportunity,” Martínez noted.

The last time these teams met in a major tournament was during the Euro 2021, when Germany triumphed 4-2, a result that still lingers in the players’ minds. With the stakes high, both teams aim for a spot in the final of this prestigious tournament.

With over 70,000 fans expected to fill the stadium, Munich will be the center of European football on this historic day. One team will secure a spot in the final, while the other will have to settle for a lost chance.