Portugal Pip Germany 2-1 To Earn Historic UEFA Nations League Final Ticket
By Yadnom Awu/Asaba
A resurgent Portugal spurred on by talismanic Cristiano Ronaldo, tonight, beat hosts, Germany, to earn a historic final ticket in the UEFA Nations League championship.
Portugal came from behind to overcome a stiff German defence by two goals to one.
The victory is the first for Portugal over Germany in 25 years.
The tie had opened on an even keel, with the hosts having a minimal possession advantage, leading to a small domination credit.
After a slightly even exchange, both sides settled for a scoreless first half.
On resumption, Germany rekindled their domination in the early minutes, leading to a 46th minute goal via a header by Wirtz.
This was unsuccessfully protested by the Portuguese who argued in vain that an offside offence had been committed in the run up to the goal.
With the officials ruling the game as credit to Germany, the game resumed with Portugal, the winners of the maiden edition of the championship, seizing initiative after a sweeping change to the frontline.
Under pressure, Germany conceded the equalizer in the 62nd minute to a swinger from Francisco.
Buoyed on by the goal, Portugal piled additional pressure, and, in the 67th minute, talisman Ronaldo had the opportunity to tap in for the second for his team and his 137 th goal for his country.
The assault by the Portuguese did not ease except for a brief capsule of time in the 82nd minute when Adeyemi, the second Nigerian in the German team( after Emeka), hit the post in an effort to draw level.
However, the epic of the drama was reserved for the dying minutes of the game when the German safe hand, Tergan, made twin incredulous saves at close range in the last minutes of the encounter.
The final of the championship holds on Sunday, when Portugal locks horns with the winner of tomorrow’s second semi final tie between impressive France and expressive Spain.
