'Small in size, big in talent': Ronaldo's Portugal win Nations League

Yahoo

5 hours ago

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo walks across the pitch with the gold medal after the award ceremony of the UEFA Nations League at the Allianz Arena. Sven Hoppe/dpa
Cristiano Ronaldo first scored and then cried tears of joy on the sideline as Portugal won the Nations League for the second time on Sunday, 5-3 on penalties against Spain.
Captain Ronaldo was substituted in the 88th minute but shortly after midnight lifted a third trophy for himself and his country after Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League - after Alvaro Morata's fourth penalty for Spain was saved by Diogo Costa and Ruben Neves then clinched it for Portugal.
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The game was locked at 2-2 in regulation, after favourites Spain had led twice, from Martin Zubimendi in the 21st in a goalmouth scramble, and Mikel Oyarzabal's flick on the stroke of half-time.
But Portugal levelled from Nuno Mendes' effort into the far corner in the 26th, and again from Ronaldo's close range volley just after the hour.
There were no more goals in extra time before Portugal eventually denied Spain a third title in as many years, following success in the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024.
In the shoot-out, Portugal converted all five from Goncalo Ramos, who had come on for Ronaldo, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Mendes and Ruben Neves. Mikel Merino, Alex Baena and Isco netted for Spain before Morata's mishap.
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Ronaldo scored his 138th goal in his 221st cap, both extending world records, before the 40-year-old went off for Ramos with what appeared to be a thigh problem.
Outstanding Mendes
Mendes not only scored in regulation and the shoot-out and set up Ronaldo's goal but he also played a major role in largely containing Spain's 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal whose meeting with Ronaldo had been billed a duel of the generations. Yamal was substituted in the 105th.
Mendes was named Man of the Match after winning a second title in nine days in the Munich arena, having helped Paris Saint-Germain to a first Champions League title on May 31, together with other Portugal team-mates such as Vitinha.
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Portugal deliver again
Portugal were considered underdogs against the seemingly invincible La Roja, just like they had in 2016 when they beat France for the Euro title in Paris - where Ronaldo had limped off injured early on.
"We are small in size but we are big in talent, big in personality," Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes said.
"We knew it would be a very difficult game. Spain are one of the best national teams in the world. But we also have a very good team. When we have this togetherness it is very difficult to beat us."
Spanish disappointment
Right now it's difficult to get something positive out of it, but it's important to appreciate the three finals we've played in a row, it's something to be proud of," Zubimendi told RTVE.
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"Portugal is a team with a lot of quality, very similar to us and that's where the match was, in the details and in the penalties."
Minor line-up changes
Both coaches made two changes from their line-ups from the semi-finals where Spain beat France 5-4 in an epic and Portugal defeated hosts Germany 2-1 - from Ronaldo's winner.
Portugal's Roberto Martinez fielded Vitinha and Francisco Conceiaco who were instrumental as substitutes for the comeback win against Germany in which Conceicao scored the equalizer.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente started with Oscar Mingueza and Fabian Ruiz instead of Pedro Porro and Mikel Merino.
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Spain take lead twice in first half
Portugal did their best to defend against Yamal on Spain's right so but Spain also had Nico Williams on the left.
Williams was involved in the 21st-minute lead when his cross was headed back into the goalmouth by Yamal and Zubimendi pounced high into the net for 1-0.
But Portugal were not rattled and level five minutes later when Pedro Neto, fed by Ronaldo, found Mendes who ran past two defenders from the left and beat Unai Simon with a low shot into the far corner.
Spain edged ahead again in the 45th when Pedri's through ball found Oyarzabal who flicked past Diogo Costa into the left corner.
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Ronaldo levels
Fernandes found the net for Portugal in the 48th but the offside flag had gone up.
Ruiz then tried his luck from a distance after Ronaldo was robustly tackled in midfield but Costa was on his guard and palmed the ball away.
Ronaldo then demonstrated himself that football is a contact sport as a little check against Marc Cucurella in the 61st gave him the space to volley home Mendes' cross, which took a looping deflection, for 2-2.
Spain can't find winner as Portugal eventually triumph
Mendes blocked Pedri at the other end, Yamal aimed into the arms of Costa from a distance in the 77th, and substitute Isco forced Costa to a flying save in the 83rd in his national team comeback after six years as Spain tried in vain to get a winner.
Portugal almost drew first blood in extra time when Nelson Semedo's shot off Mendes' sharp cross went inches left but they eventually prevailed in the deciding shoot-out.