Portugal, Germany seek breakthrough in UEFA Nations League semifinal match

Germany will host Portugal in the UEFA Nations League semifinals at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday. The winning team will advance to the championship final against either France or Spain.

The Germans have lost only one of their last 13 games at home, and have beaten Portugal in their previous five meetings. The last time the Portuguese side picked up a win over Die Mannschaft was a quarter-century ago at UEFA Euro 2000.

Germany haven't won any major trophies since lifting the FIFA World Cup in 2014, and their last defeat at home was a 4-2 loss in extra-time against eventual title winners Spain at UEFA Euro 2024. Coach Julian Nagelsmann said he was looking forward to the contest.

"Yes, for me, it is very special," Nagelsmann noted. "I've said before that it's kind of like a 'miniature Euros.' So we will look forward to hopefully having two matches here, and that means that we need to do well on Wednesday, so we are very happy that we can have these games in Germany."

It will be a special night for Joshua Kimmich as well, as he is poised to make his 100th national team appearance, becoming the 14th player in history to reach the century mark in games played for Germany.

Portugal, who won the inaugural edition of the Nations League in 2018, will be buoyed by the presence of newly-crowned UEFA Champions League winners Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes from Paris Saint-Germain, with a sharp focus on ending their five-match losing streak against the Germans.

Some of the squad's veterans may be even more motivated to help A Seleção embarrass the hosts, after disappointing seasons with their respective clubs.

Bernardo Silva and Manchester City finished the Premier League campaign in the third place without winning any trophies; Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr did likewise in the Saudi Pro League; and Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United suffered their worst-ever Premier League finish – 15th place – while also losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League final.

"Well of course, everybody knows this season that we have had at the club, it was a tough season," Fernandes said. "We had goals and we didn't meet them. And this casts a negative light on everything. But this is the national team. I love being here, and I am always willing and able, and I am always happy to represent the national team. And I hope we can reach the final."