Cristiano Ronaldo the matchwinner yet AGAIN for Portugal after scuffle with pitch invader before crunch Nations League tie

WATCH NOW: Cristiano Ronaldo talks to himself after missing last minute goal

Ben McCaffrey

By Ben McCaffrey


Published: 04/06/2025

- 22:15

Updated: 04/06/2025

- 23:10

Portugal's record goalscorer added to his tally to send his country through to face Spain or France

Portugal secured their place in the Nations League final with a 2-1 victory over Germany at the Allianz Arena in Munich after a pitch invader 'grabbed' eventual matchwinner Cristiano Ronaldo.

The hosts took the lead when Liverpool-bound Florian Wirtz headed home from Joshua Kimmich's precise cross after starting the move from deep.


Francisco Conceicao, 22, equalised for Portugal shortly after coming on as a substitute. The on-loan Juventus star cut in from the left and curled a superb effort into the far corner.

And then, the winner. Up stepped captain Cristiano.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his winning goal with Champions League winner Nuno Mendes

GETTY

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner tapped in his record 137th Portugal goal after Diogo Mendes unselfishly squared the ball across goal to bring a swift counter-attack to a close

Bruno Fernandes had initiated the move with a lovely through ball to Champions League-winner Nuno Mendes.

Portugal held on to their deserved 2-1 lead to progress to Sunday's final, where they will face either France or Spain at the same venue.

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Francisco Conceicao, Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal's matchwinners Cristiano Ronaldo and Francisco Conceicao

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But before kick-off, a young supporter breached security and ran onto the pitch during the warm-up.

The fan approached Ronaldo with his mobile phone extended, desperately seeking a photograph with the Portuguese captain.

Despite stewards' attempts to intervene, the pitch invader managed to grab hold of the 40-year-old before being forcefully removed by security personnel.

The supporter appeared to be pleading with Ronaldo for a photo opportunity as officials pulled him away from the player.

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The security breach echoed chaotic scenes from last summer's European Championships in Germany, where a staggering six pitch invasions threw Portugal's tie against Turkey into chaos.

Multiple supporters had rushed onto the field attempting to photograph themselves with Ronaldo.

Following those incidents, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez voiced serious concerns about player welfare.

"It is a concern because today the intentions of the fans were good," he said.

"But there will be a difficult moment if the intentions are wrong and players are exposed. I don't think that should happen. Maybe there is a message to the fans that this is not the right way."

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A pitch invader and Ronaldo

A pitch invader breached security and reached Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch

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"It is not good that the players are so exposed on the pitch."

The semi-final between Germany and Portugal had initially been delayed by 10 minutes due to a storm in Munich.

Ronaldo captained Portugal in what was his 219th international appearance as they sought to reach the final, with Spain facing France in the other semi-final on Thursday.

But the 40-year-old's future still remains uncertain, with his lucrative contract at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr set to expire at the end of June.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has suggested Ronaldo could move to a club participating in the Club World Cup, though reports indicate he may extend his stay in Saudi.