Portugal secured their second UEFA Nations League title with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Spain after a thrilling 2-2 draw in Munich.
Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears of joy at full-time, having been forced to watch the decisive moment from the sidelines after going off injured. The 40-year-old had earlier scored Portugal’s second goal — his 138th for his country — and played a crucial part in a classic final.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero, saving from Alvaro Morata in the shoot-out before Ruben Neves buried the winning penalty to seal a 5-3 triumph and spark wild scenes among the Portuguese players and fans.
Much of the pre-match build-up had focused on the generational face-off between Ronaldo and 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, but the young Spaniard was largely kept quiet by the excellent Nuno Mendes. The full-back not only nullified Yamal but also scored Portugal’s first equaliser and assisted the second.
Spain had made the brighter start and took a deserved lead after 21 minutes. Martin Zubimendi, strongly linked with a move to Arsenal, carried the ball forward and was in the right place to finish from a loose ball after Yamal’s cross was not cleared.
Portugal responded swiftly. Ronaldo timed his run perfectly to stay just onside and played in Pedro Neto, who squared for Mendes to lash a low strike into the far corner.
Spain regained the lead just before half-time when Mikel Oyarzabal, their Euro 2024 final match-winner, produced a classy finish from Pedri’s clever through ball.
At the break, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez made two changes in an effort to shift the game’s rhythm. They had the ball in the net shortly after through Bruno Fernandes, but Pedro Neto was flagged offside earlier in the move.
Portugal’s pressure told on the hour mark, and naturally, it was Ronaldo who delivered. Mendes’ deflected cross fell kindly for the captain, who tucked away a volley to bring his side level again.
Ronaldo limped off before the end of normal time, and both teams began to show signs of fatigue as the tempo dipped. Diogo Jota had a golden opportunity in added time but headed over from close range.
Neither side could find a winner in extra time, so it went to penalties.
Penalty shoot-out:
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Goncalo Ramos – Scored
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Mikel Merino – Scored
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Vitinha – Scored
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Alex Baena – Scored
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Bruno Fernandes – Scored
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Isco – Scored
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Nuno Mendes – Scored
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Alvaro Morata – Saved by Diogo Costa
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Ruben Neves – Scored
Portugal, who lifted the inaugural Nations League trophy in 2019, have once again proven their pedigree on the big stage. With the 2026 World Cup just a year away, both they and Spain will fancy their chances of another deep run — and possibly another showdown.