Contrasting Munich fortunes for Chelsea and West Ham stars hint at opposite directions of travel

Munich hosts the first semifinal in this year's Nations League deciders : Picture by @YTJourno

Reading Between the Lines:

Germany 1-2 Portugal

A BBC online poll absurdly decided Cristiano Ronaldo was the man of the match in Wednesday night's Nations League semi-final in Munich. Of course it did.

CR7s trillion Instagram followers were always going to vote in droves for their hero. The fanboy worship means he could score a hat-trick of own goals and still win the popular vote. It's the way of the world.

Fair enough, the former Man United and Real Madrid superstar did side-foot home the winner to further increase his crazy world record goal stats, but he missed a great chance laid on for him by Pedro Neto - more on him later - and another easier chance with a sluggish far-post lunge.

He now has 137 international goals and 220 caps, but his was a generally plodding presence in a fleet-footed Portugal side. Which is what you might expect from a man of 40, even if he has kept himself in shape.

The real heroes guiding the team towards Sunday's final back at the same stadium against France or Spain, was the rampaging PSG left back Nuno Mendes, who laid the goal on a plate, and sub Francisco Conceicao, who came on to transform a tie they were losing with a wonderous curling shot at the end of a dazzling run in from the right.

But the poll was right about two things: that Chelsea winger Neto made a dynamic first-half contribution, and that Germany's own striker sub, Nicolas Fullkrug, was definitely not man of the match.

The 32-year-old West Ham forward is a popular guy for German fans. He received a hugely appreciative roar when he came on for strugging Stuttgart debutant Nick Woltemade.

But that was as good as it got for the man the Hammers acquired for a hefty £32m from Dortmund. A season blighted by injury and frustration - highlighted by the public dressing down given to team mates after a limp draw against rock-bottom Southampton - could not be rescued here. He was unable to get on the end of any crosses, often outmuscled by Man City's Ruben Diaz and had little impact on the ground.

This was not entirely his fault, because after taking the lead through Liverpool target Florian Wirtz, the hosts struggled to break down impressive opponents.

But it all felt symptomatic of the perceived limitations to his game and the problem with 'getting it launched' if he is unable to bully defenders or get the right service.

West Ham fans will already recognise this issue and Graham Potter has to find a way to make his presence on the pitch for more telling for the Irons next season.

His night had the opposite feel to the one enjoyed by the other honorary Londoner on show. Neto looks like a man with extra spring in his step - earning a European trophy has to be a part of that.

Certainly the 25-year-old looks better value for money at twice the price of the ageing Fullkrug and should be an asset in the forthcoming World Club championships in the States.

He looked confident. His burst from half way ended with that pull back for Ronaldo to fluff. Another run ended with a thrash just over the bar. His pace was a menace and got Portugal high up the pitch into dangerous areas. Chelsea fans have been more used to seeing him operate on the left flank. Here, he went wide left for boss Roberto Martinez, and to mostly good affect.

The night of contrast between the two players on opposite sides of London offered a stark reminder that Chelsea and West Ham are once more teams going in opposite directions.