Portugal secured their second Nations League title in dramatic fashion, defeating Spain in a final where Cristiano Ronaldo was a key figure and Spain`s Alvaro Morata had a moment to forget.
Having claimed the inaugural title in 2019, Roberto Martinez`s side were crowned champions again after a thrilling match in Munich. They came from behind twice against the reigning European champions, Spain, to force penalties.
Ronaldo netted a brilliant equalizing volley in the 61st minute to make the score 2-2. This goal marked his 938th career goal and 138th for his national team. However, the 40-year-old forward watched the penalty shootout from the bench, alongside Spain`s 17-year-old teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
The outcome was decided when Spain`s Alvaro Morata missed his spot-kick, paving the way for Ruben Neves to convert the winning penalty for Portugal.
Both nations were aiming to become the first country to win the Nations League trophy twice.
The match started slowly, but it ignited after 17 minutes with a curling effort from Nico Williams that just cleared the crossbar. Four minutes later, the Spaniards took the lead.
Lamine Yamal was heavily involved in the opening goal, delivering an excellent cross that caused confusion in the Portuguese defense, allowing Martin Zubimendi, who is reportedly a target for Arsenal, to score just his second international goal.
Spain had established a commanding 4-0 lead within 55 minutes in their thrilling 5-4 semi-final win against France the previous week. However, Ronaldo was determined not to let history repeat itself, initiating an attack with a run in behind the defense.
The attack concluded with Nuno Mendes finding the bottom corner in the 26th minute. The goal was confirmed after a VAR check verified that Ronaldo`s initial run was not offside.
Spain regained the lead just before halftime.
In injury time of the first half, Pedri delivered a superb reverse pass to set up Mikel Oyarzabal, who found the net. Oyarzabal, remembered for scoring in the Euros final in Berlin, once again scored a significant goal in Munich.
Martinez made tactical changes at halftime, bringing on Neves and Nelson Semedo. This nearly led to an immediate impact, with Bruno Fernandes having a strike disallowed for offside in the 49th minute.
The equalizer felt inevitable. Ronaldo was quickest to react to a deflected, looping cross that deceived Marc Cucurella, scoring his eighth goal of the Nations League campaign.
Ronaldo was substituted in the 88th minute due to a muscular injury, while Yamal was replaced in the 106th minute. The game became heated late on, including a VAR review for a potential red card after a large scuffle involving multiple players.
In the penalty shootout, Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Nuno Mendes all successfully converted their kicks before Ruben Neves stepped up to be the match-winning hero.
