Portugal claim 2nd Nations League title
Portugal 2 - 2 Spain (Portugal won 5-3 on penalties)
A dramatic night in Munich has two of the favourites for next year's World Cup faced off.
Author | Jack L
Stadium | Allianz Arena
Portugal defeated Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure their second UEFA Nations League title, following a pulsating 2-2 draw in Munich.
Cristiano Ronaldo levelled the scores in the second half after a back-and-forth contest that saw both sides squander leads. Although substituted before extra time, the Portugal captain was overcome with emotion on the sidelines after Ruben Neves struck the decisive penalty and Diogo Costa saved from Álvaro Morata.
Spain, the 2023 champions, took the lead midway through the first half when Martín Zubimendi pounced on a loose ball to finish from close range. But Portugal responded quickly as Nuno Mendes drilled a powerful shot past Unai Simón to equalise just five minutes later.
La Roja regained the advantage before the break through Mikel Oyarzabal, whose composed finish revived memories of his winner in the Euro 2024 final against England.
Portugal’s equaliser came just after the hour mark, with Ronaldo meeting a deflected cross from Mendes and volleying in from close range, having shaken off the attentions of Marc Cucurella.
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In the shootout, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Mendes all found the net for Portugal. Morata's tame penalty was kept out by Costa, leaving Neves to seal victory with a coolly taken final kick.
With the win, Portugal become the first side to lift the Nations League trophy twice, denying their Iberian rivals the chance to do the same.
The best reaction to a dramatic night in Munich
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