Latest news with #Euro2004
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bruno Fernandes sends five-word message after putting Man Utd misery behind him
Bruno Fernandes captained Manchester United during their awful season, but successfully put that behind him to play a key role as Portugal won the Nations League final on Sunday Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes admitted "winning for Portugal is different" as he put his club's difficult season behind him by winning the Nations League on Sunday night. Fernandes played 57 games in all competitions for United this campaign. It was a miserable year for the Red Devils as they finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to win a major trophy. Fernandes captained United in all of his appearances and even held talks over a potential exit earlier this summer. Instead the midfielder has decided to stay at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future. Fernandes has moved his focus to international duty, where Portugal were featuring in the Nations League finals. They beat hosts Germany in the semi-finals to set up a date with bitter rivals Spain in Sunday's final. Fernandes started at the Allianz Arena, taking over the armband after Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted off. The United star then stepped up to score a crucial penalty in the shootout which Portugal won to lift the trophy. And Fernandes has insisted the win has helped him put United's dreadful campaign behind him. 'I'm going to celebrate with my teammates and my family. It's a special moment for everyone. Winning for Portugal is different. It's for our family, for our people, for the country, for our people," he said "Once again, the wave of red that I saw so much on social media was there and made us feel like we were playing at home. Thank you very much for all the support, it was excellent. We felt it, from start to finish, from the moment we got to the end. 'Everything we did during the game helped us win. We knew we were going up against a great team, and at the same time we knew we were a team of the same level. We knew Spain's qualities, we were very aggressive when losing the ball, which was very important." Fernandes pinpointed Portugal's 'individual talent' as the reason for their historic win, their first in a competitive match against Spain since Euro 2004. In particular, he singled out Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes, keeper Diogo Costa and midfielder Ruben Neves. "We had individual talent on our side, such as Nuno [Mendes] , our left-sided player, who ended up running over everyone and ended up giving us two moments of great joy, with his runs," he added. "Individual talent is what makes you win the game, like Diogo Costa's save and Rúben Neves' penalty. We don't need to be favourites. That's up to the person who says it, there will always be those who say that some are favourites, others will say that others are. "That doesn't matter to us. We, the Portuguese, go out there to win, whatever it is, whoever is ahead of us. We want to win every game. Sometimes it's possible, sometimes it's not. "Sometimes we play better, sometimes we play worse. But we always give everything on the pitch and with the knowledge that we are capable of beating any team, at any time."
Eyewitness News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win Nations League
MUNICH - 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.
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Ronaldo's Portugal beat Spain on penalties to win Nations League
9 June 2025 08:26 Munich (AFP)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 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 Oyarzabal, Spain's goalscorer in the Euro 2024 final and the 2023 Nations League final, put La Roja back in front just before the 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 was subbed off before full-time with cramp. Even though Portugal had the better of extra time, the match went to 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 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 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 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 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 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.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ronaldo confirms Portugal injury nightmare as he makes Martinez thoughts clear
Cristiano Ronaldo played through the pain barrier to lead Portugal to winning the Nations League final against bitter rivals Spain, with the skipper breaking down in tears after the game Cristiano Ronaldo confirmed he suffered an injury in the warm-up ahead of Sunday's Nations League final. The 40-year-old was able to start the clash against Spain, scoring his side's second goal against La Roja. The final, held in Munich's Allianz Arena ended up 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Portugal beating their bitter rivals 5-3 in a penalty shootout. It is Portugal's first competitive win over their neighbours since Euro 2004. And it means that they won the Nations League for the second time, having also lifted the trophy in 2019. Ronaldo was not on the pitch for the shootout though, having been replaced by Goncalo Ramos with two minutes remaining. He broke down in tears after the game as he lifted the trophy with his jubilant team-mates. The superstar attacker confirmed he had fought through the pain barrier to help his side, as he hinted towards a potential retirement. Ronaldo made an effort to describe the win as a 'duty fulfilled' and insisted it was the 'pinnacle' for this group of Portugal players, a year out from the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. 'I am so happy. First place for this generation, which deserved a title of this magnitude, for our families. My children came here, my wife, my brother, my friends. Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with my clubs, but there is nothing better than winning for Portugal. It brings tears to my eyes. It is a duty fulfilled and a lot of joy,' he told Sport TV. 'It's beautiful. It's our nation. We are a small people, but with great ambition. It makes me happy. I've lived in many countries, I've played for many clubs, but when people talk about Portugal, it's always a special feeling. Being the captain of this generation, it's a source of pride. "Winning a title is always the pinnacle of a national team. Winning a title is the pinnacle. The future is about thinking short-term. Now it's time to rest well. I had the injury and that was too much, too much... I pushed, because for the national team you have to push. 'I had already felt it [the injury] during the warm-up, I had been feeling it for some time, but if I had to break a leg for the national team, I would have. It was a title, I had to play and I gave my all, I went as far as I could. I helped with a goal." Ronaldo also reserved praise for boss Roberto Martinez. The Spaniard had come under fire following Euro 2024, in which Portugal stumbled into the quarter-finals before being knocked out by France. But the skipper has insisted he is the right man for the job. 'This generation deserved a lot, especially the coach. What they did to him wasn't fair. They beat him up a lot and he doesn't deserve it. He's the right coach to be in the national team," Ronaldo added. "The passion he brings to training and matches is huge. Even though he's not Portuguese, I appreciate him even more. We should respect him a little more and let him work calmly. After winning a competition like this, in Germany , against Germany and Spain , we have to give credit to the players and the coaching staff." 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.
The Hindu
6 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Portugal beats 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 (June 8, 2025) 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.
