Cristiano Ronaldo ends Germany curse against Portugal’s nightmare opponent

Cristiano Ronaldo holds pretty much every record going in men’s international soccer, including, of course, most goals.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester United attacker, who turned 40 in February, has netted an incredible 136 times in 219 international appearances, which - you guessed it - also happens to be a record.

Ronaldo’s international successes with Portugal

Ronaldo’s knack of scoring for his country has helped turn Portugal into a force to be reckoned with in most international tournaments in the last two decades. Although they have only once reached the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals, the Portuguese won their first ever major tournament at Euro 2016 and followed that up by winning the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League in 2019.

Roberto Martínez’s are now hoping to become the first country to triumph in the Nations League twice after overcoming a stern challenge against Germany in the semifinals in Munich. Not only were they up against the home nation, but it is one that very much had their - and Ronaldo’s - number.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first ever win against Germany

Following a 3-0 win for Portugal at Euro 2000, which came before the Al Nassr striker’s time, Germany won five straight meetings between the teams, each of which Ronaldo featured in. The Germans won a third-placed playoff at the 2006 World Cup on home soil and knocked Portugal out of following tournament, Euro 2008, at the quarterfinal stage.

Ronaldo and Co also lost group-stage games to Germany at Euro 2012, the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2020. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner did score in a 4-2 defeat in the most recent meeting in the last of those three tournaments, the only time he found the net in those five losses to the Germans.

However, the veteran superstar finally got the better of his bogey team on Wednesday, scoring the winning goal as Portugal came from behind to progress to the final, where they will meet Spain or France.

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