Latest news with #AlvaroMorata
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Alvaro Morata set to retire after crucial penalty miss - 'I felt like crying'
Spain were beaten by Portugal in the Nations League final on Sunday evening with ex-Chelsea star Alvaro Morata missing the decisive penalty for his side before Ruben Neves won the game Alvaro Morata has admitted he is considering Spain retirement after missing the crucial penalty in the Nations League final. The Euro 2024 champions took on Portugal in Munich on Sunday evening and battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw. Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain before Nuno Mendes replied with an excellent effort. Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead once again ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo 's equaliser. Penalties came and went with Morata seeing his effort saved by Portugal star Diogo Costa, with Ruben Neves winning the trophy with his successful effort. Speaking after his miss, Morata has admitted he could consider stepping back from the international stage. He said: "I feel sorry for my teammates, but that's part of life. I thank the coach for his words. The penalty? I took it badly, I could have done better, but there's nothing I can do about it. 'I'm leaving angry. I wanted to cry, even though I didn't. My children were in the stands, and in life, you have to learn." On retirement, the ex-Chelsea man said: "I'm only thinking about what happened today, but it's possible I won't be back in September." Morata, 32, has accumulated 86 appearances for Spain since his international debut in 2014 and has gone on to score 37 goals - the fourth-highest in the nation's history behind just Fernando Torres, Raul and David Villa. While Spain boss Luis De La Fuente recognised Morata's error, he refused to blame the striker. He said: "All the penalty takers were at an excellent level, and if Morata made a mistake, it was because he dared to. Morata is a champion and a role model for us. I'm really sorry he made that mistake, but I'm responsible for it because I asked him to." Who was man-of-the-match between Portugal and Spain? Share your thoughts in the comments below Morata now faces a major decision over his club future, as well as his international commitments. The ex- Chelsea and Atletico Madrid man spent the second half of last season on loan at Turkish giants Galatasaray, with that deal set to expire in January 2026. He scored seven goals across 16 outings in all competitions, helping the side win the league with an eye-watering 95 points That move followed a disappointing six-month spell with Italian giants AC Milan as he netted just six times in 25 appearances. Morata had only signed for Milan last summer from Atletico Madrid. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Spain focused on World Cup after Nations League defeat, says coach
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has backed Alvaro Morata as 'a real champion' after the veteran striker missed his penalty against Portugal in the Nations League final. PHOTO: EPA-EFE – Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his side were 'already thinking about the World Cup' after their Nations League final loss on penalties to Portugal on June 8 in Munich. 'From this very moment we are already thinking about the next World Cup, which is our goal. With the way we approach things, we are sure to go far in the future. Our team is always in a position to win, there is a lot of commitment, a lot of roots. We will always be close to winning,' de la Fuente said. After 21 minutes, midfielder Martin Zubimendi took advantage of some sleepy Portugal defence to put Spain in front. Just five minutes later, brilliant fullback Nuno Mendes levelled proceedings at the Allianz Arena. Striker 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 fullback Marc Cucurella and volleying the 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 striker Alvaro Morata stepped up and shot straight at goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Ruben Neves kept his nerves and converted in front of the red and green of the Portugal fans for their second Nations league title. De la Fuente, however, said the match was 'equal' and he was 'proud' of his side. 'We did a lot well but, in football, sometimes things happen and the opponent is able to beat you,' the 63-year-old said. 'Details do make the difference, and that was a game which was super balanced but, when we were coming to the end of the extra time, I thought we were doing enough to avoid going to penalties. Sadly, that's what decided the match and they, on the night, were just slightly better and more effective in the shootout.' Spain won the 2023 Nations League and the Euro in 2024. Their loss on June 8 was their first competitive international defeat since going down to Scotland in March 2023 in a Euro qualifier. La Roja's young core again impressed but the Nations League finals have again highlighted their reliance on 22-year-old midfielder Pedri. In their wild 5-4 semi-final win over France on June 5, Pedri came off the pitch with the score at 5-1 before France scored three late goals. Three days later, Spain lost shape after the Barcelona midfielder was subbed off late in the game. The coach admitted his players were tired after a long season, but praised Portugal. 'Portugal have done things very well, they have players of the highest level,' said de la Fuente, who backed Morata after his penalty miss, saying the veteran striker was 'a real champion' and 'a benchmark for us'. 'I'm sorry he missed the penalty, but many players don't want to take one. He took one and missed it, but that happens in football.' AFP, REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win Nations League
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, told RTL. "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. 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 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. dwi/pb
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spain focused on World Cup after defeat, says coach
Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente on the sideline at the Nations League final (John MACDOUGALL) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said his side were "already thinking about the World Cup" after Sunday's Nations League final loss on penalties to Portugal in Munich. "From this very moment we are already thinking about the next World Cup, which is our goal. With the way we approach things, we are sure to go far in the future," de la Fuente said. Advertisement "Our team is always in a position to win, there is a lot of commitment, a lot of roots. We will always be close to winning." Spain led twice but were twice pegged back before the match went to extra time with scores locked at 2-2. After each side converted their first three penalties, Spain forward Alvaro Morata's effort was saved by Diogo Costa and Portugal's Ruben Neves converted to win the shootout 5-3. De la Fuente said he was "proud" of his side. Spain won the 2023 Nations League and the Euros in 2024. Sunday's loss was their first competitive international defeat since going down to Scotland in March 2023 in a Euro qualifier. Advertisement Spain's young core again impressed but the Nations League finals have again highlighted their reliance on midfielder Pedri. In Thursday's wild 5-4 win over France, Pedri came off the pitch with the score at 5-1 before France scored three late goals. On Sunday, Spain lost shape after the Barcelona midfield was subbed off late in the game. The coach admitted his players were tired after a long season, but praised Portugal. "Portugal have done things very well, they have players of the highest level," de la Fuente said. De la Fuente backed Morata after his penalty miss, saying the veteran striker was "a real champion" and "a benchmark for us." "I'm sorry he missed the penalty, but many players don't want to take one. He took one and missed it, but that happens in football." dwi/pb
Metro
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Ronaldo makes shock injury revelation after Portugal win Nations League
Cristiano Ronaldo says he came into the Nations League final with an injury, but battled through the pain to score as Portugal went on to beat Spain on penalties. The 40-year-old started the match at the Allianz Arena and scored Portugal's second equaliser on 61 minutes after Spain had twice taken the lead. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar did not quite make it to 90 minutes, going down injured just before the end of normal time, replaced by Goncalo Ramos. He could only watch on during a goalless extra-time before his country won thanks to scoring five penalties in the shootout, while Alvaro Morata missed his spot-kick for Spain. It was not clear exactly what the injury was that Ronaldo was struggling with, but he revealed that he did not suffer it late in the game, but before kick-off. 'I had already felt it during the warm-up, I had been feeling it for some time,' Ronaldo said, via Record. 'But for the national team, if I had to break a leg, I would. 'It's a title, I had to play and I gave my all, I went as far as I could. I helped with a goal.' He added of his second Nations League win with Portugal: 'I'm so happy. Winning for Portugal is very special. I have many titles, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. 'The tears and the sense of duty fulfilled. It's beautiful. It's our nation. We are a small people, but with great ambition. 'I've lived in many countries, I've played for many clubs, but when they talk about Portugal it's a special feeling. Being the captain of this generation, it's a source of pride. 'Winning a title is always the highlight of a national team. The future is about thinking in the short term. I had an injury and that was too much, too much… I pushed, because for the national team you have to push.' The entertaining contest at the Allianz Arena saw three goals before the half-time break. Martin Zubimendi put Spain ahead on 21 minutes before Nuno Mendes quickly equalised just five minutes later. Mikel Oyarzabal put the Spaniards back ahead just before the interval as he expertly completed a lovely move, but the lead again did not last long as Ronaldo prodded home just after the hour-mark. Portugal looked the more likely side to grab a winner later on and during extra-time, but could not find one before the final whistle. The match went to a penalty shootout where there was a string of brilliantly taken spot-kicks until Alvaro Morata saw his tame effort saved by Diogo Costa. Ruben Neves made no such mistake and found the back of the net to see Portugal claim victory 5-3 on penalties. More Trending It is the second time Portugal have won the Nations League in only the fourth edition of the event. Ronaldo started the 1-0 win over Netherlands as his country won the tournament in 2019 and has got his hands on the trophy again six years later. Spain have reached the final for the third straight edition of the Nations League, losing to France in 2021, beating Croatia in '23 and narrowly losing out this time round. MORE: Portugal vs Spain TV channel and live stream: How to watch Nations League final in the UK tonight MORE: Franck Ribery hits back at Cristiano Ronaldo over Ballon d'Or claim MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo makes 'very difficult' Lionel Messi claim ahead of Club World Cup
