Germany vs Portugal

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Just days after hosting the UEFA Champions League final, the Allianz Arena sets the stage for another major clash on Wednesday as Germany take on Portugal in the first of two UEFA Nations League semi-finals this week.

Germany are making their debut in the Nations League finals, while Portugal aim to spoil the home crowd’s party and become the first team to claim the title twice.

This marks the first Nations League encounter between the two sides and their first competitive meeting outside a major tournament since 1997.

Germany, hosting the finals for the first time, head into the semi-final in strong form, with only one loss in their last 11 home games—a Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Spain.

Confidence was low in Germany before last summer’s Euros, but optimism is growing that they can challenge the world’s best ahead of the 2026 World Cup. In their Nations League quarter-final against Italy in March, Germany dominated, leading 5-1 on aggregate at half-time in the second leg. However, they nearly faltered, conceding three second-half goals and relying on a VAR-overturned penalty to secure their place.

Germany’s impressive form continued in the group stage, where they comfortably topped a group featuring the Netherlands, Hungary, and Bosnia-Herzegovina, earning 14 out of 18 possible points.

As favorites to win the Nations League on home soil, Germany are climbing the odds for next summer’s World Cup and boast a five-match winning streak against Portugal. The two teams are no strangers to high-stakes clashes, with Germany defeating Portugal at Euro 2000, the 2006 and 2014 World Cups, and Euro 2008, 2012, and 2020.

Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, faces mounting pressure after a lackluster Euro 2024 campaign and a shaky quarter-final win over Denmark in the Nations League. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Portugal were minutes from elimination in the return leg, drawing 2-2 until Francisco Trincao’s late equalizer and extra-time goal secured their semi-final spot.

As the 2019 Nations League champions, Portugal are underdogs among the final four, but many players from that winning squad remain. A strong performance could boost their momentum heading into World Cup qualifying in September, where they’ll face Ireland, Hungary, and Armenia.

After a disappointing Euro 2024, which saw losses to Georgia and France and a penalty shootout win over Slovenia, Portugal responded well in the Nations League group stage, going unbeaten against Croatia, Scotland, and Poland.