
Portugal beat Spain to win Nations League
MUNICH, Germany: Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title.
Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores.
"Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, said.
"When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front.
The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break.
Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties.
Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa.
Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters
Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history.
Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing.
Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal".
"We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said.
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters
PORTUGAL EQUALISE TWICE
While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy.
Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net.
The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately.
Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in.
Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa.
Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals — against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost.
Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike.
With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home.
The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over.
Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch. — Reuters
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Observer
12 hours ago
- Observer
Portugal beat Spain to win Nations League
MUNICH, Germany: Ruben Neves scored the decisive spot kick after Alvaro Morata missed as Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday to claim their second Nations League title. Portugal twice went behind in regulation time but twice fought back to level the scores. "Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today," Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, said. "When we stay together like this, we're very difficult to beat." After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. The brilliant Nuno Mendes levelled things up five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the break. Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been before scoring the winner against Germany in the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting quickly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball home. Ronaldo was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to penalties. Both sides converted their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal's fourth, before Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa. Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters Neves nervelessly converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans. On the sidelines, Ronaldo could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate's back. Once Neves converted, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff. The victory was just Portugal's second competitive win over Iberian rival Spain in their long history. Portugal's only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing. Portugal became the first two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal's third major title, along with Euro 2016. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said the match was "equal". "We did a lot well, but in football sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you," he said. Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates. — Reuters PORTUGAL EQUALISE TWICE While Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal's fluid movement troubled the Portugese defence early in the match, La Roja's opener was scrappy. Yamal chipped from outside the box and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the net. The goal was just rewards for Spain's early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal and in. Just before halftime, Spain picked Portugal's pocket in their own half before advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past Diogo Costa. Oyarzabal's goal meant he has scored in three international finals — against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost. Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the heavily Portuguese crowd until that point but would pick his moment to strike. With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella before lashing a volley home. The goal was Ronaldo's fourth in 10 matches against Spain. The previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup. Limping in the dying stages of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over. Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but Portugal were faultless, Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch. — Reuters


Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Portugal edges Spain in shootout thriller to clinch second Nations League title
BERLIN -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored again as Portugal claimed its second UEFA Nations League title, overcoming Spain 5-3 on penalties after a tense 2-2 draw in Munich on Sunday. Having scored the winner against Germany in the semifinal, Ronaldo equalized in the 61st minute of the final to bring Portugal back into the game for a second time. This extended his record of international goals to 138 in 221 appearances. Spain, who had stunned France 5-4 in the semifinal, started brightly and were rewarded in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi scored from close range following a clever pass from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal. Portugal responded swiftly through Nuno Mendes, whose angled drive beat goalkeeper Unai Simon just five minutes later. Spain regained the lead moments before halftime when Pedri played a defense-splitting pass to Mikel Oyarzabal, who finished confidently to make it 2-1. However, Ronaldo leveled the match with a scrappy but vital finish after Mendes' cross caused chaos in the Spain box. Despite both sides pressing for a winner, the match was dragged into extra time, where fatigue began to take its toll. Substitute Diogo Jota almost won it for Portugal in the final minute, but his header went just over the bar. In the penalty shootout, both teams converted their first three attempts. The turning point came when Spain's late substitute Alvaro Morata saw his tame effort saved by goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Ruben Neves then stepped up and fired home the winning penalty, sparking scenes of jubilation on the Portuguese bench. "Our fighting spirit helped us clinch the title. We knew it would be a tough game; Spain is a very strong team and plays some of the best football in the world. But we also know that when we stick together and play as a team, we are very hard to beat," said Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes.


Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Fan dies after fall during Nations League final in Munich
A football fan died after falling from the stands during the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain in Munich on Sunday, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) said. The supporter fell from the central tier into the media area below during the first period of extra time amid rising tensions among the fans. Emergency services responded immediately, but the fan succumbed to their injuries. A UEFA spokesperson confirmed to news agencies that a fan had "sadly" died during the match. Both teams express condolences Addressing the incident following the match, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said, "I would like to express my condolences because a fan died in the stands today. My condolences to the family." Portugal coach Roberto Martinez called the incident "extremely sad news." The exact circumstances of the fall remain unclear. In the match, Portugal twice fell behind, but came back both times, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the second equalizer. Ronaldo's team eventually went on to win 5-3 on penalties, but the 40-year-old football star had already exited the game at the 88th minute.