Latest news with #PortugalNationalTeam
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cristiano Ronaldo sheds tears of joy after Portugal's Nations League triumph
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the trophy after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the trophy after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo lifts the trophy after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst) Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo holds the trophy after winning the Nations League soccer championship at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) MUNICH (AP) — Another trophy for Cristiano Ronaldo. More records, more adulation. The Portugal star shed tears after helping his team win the Nations League on Sunday. Ronaldo scored to help Portugal draw level with Spain 2-2 in the final, then watched as his teammates won the penalty shootout 5-3. Advertisement 'I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,' Ronaldo said. 'These are tears. It's mission accomplished and so much joy.' The 40-year-old Ronaldo had been the first to run out onto the field for the pre-game warmup, sparking a huge roar from the Portugal supporters, including many wearing jerseys emblazoned with his name. His appearance prompted many supporters to pull out their cell phones to record the superstar while they could still see him in action. Ronaldo conceded Saturday that he won't be able to play forever. That was three days after he helped Portugal to its first win over Germany for 25 years, scoring the winner for a 2-1 victory in the Nations League semifinals. Advertisement On Sunday he was driving the team again, though it was initially a frustrating game as his chances were limited by Spain's hard-working defenders. Nuno Mendes fired Portugal level after Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain. Then Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead 2-1 at the break. But Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to fire home the equalizer from Mendes' deflected cross in the 61st, setting off joyous scenes among his faithful fans. It was Ronaldo's 138th goal for Portugal. Nobody has ever scored more for their country. Ronaldo kept trying in what was his record-extending 221st appearance for the country, but eventually had to go off exhausted in the 88th to standing ovations from fans and a hug from coach Roberto Martínez. Advertisement Ronaldo said he was carrying an injury into the game. 'I had already felt it during the warmup, I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it,' Ronaldo said. 'It's for a trophy, I had to play and I gave it my all.' Ronaldo's future is uncertain as his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr only runs to the end of June. He posted 'this chapter is over' on social media after the club's last Saudi Pro League game of the season. On Saturday he said he had all but decided not to go to the Club World Cup despite 'quite a few' offers from participating clubs to play there. Advertisement Whatever club Ronaldo plays for, he will keep striving for Portugal. 'I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it's about Portugal, it is always a special feeling,' he said. ___ AP soccer:
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
When is the Nations League final?
Spain will face Portugal on Sunday in the final of the 2024-25 Nations match - to be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich - Germany will kick off at 20:00 2024 winners Spain reached the final with a dramatic 5-4 win over France on had secured their place a day earlier, coming from behind to beat Germany 2-1 thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's two semi-final losers will meet in a third place play-off on Sunday. That match - in Stuttgart - kicks off at 14:00 BST. How do you qualify for the Nations League final? The Uefa Nations League is an international competition played over a two-year nations are split into four leagues - League A, League B, League C and League D - with promotion and relegation at the end of each top three leagues are split into four groups, while League D contains winners in each League A group meet in one-legged semi-finals, with the victors reaching the final. Performances in the Nations League also play a part in qualification for World Cups and European Championships. Previous Nations League winners In what is the fourth edition of the Nations League, finalists Spain and Portugal are both eyeing a second won the most recent final in 2023, beating Croatia on penalties following a goalless draw after 120 were winners of the inaugural final in 2019, beating the Netherlands 1-0 in Porto.2022-23: Spain2020-21: France2018-19: PortugalThis article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. What is Ask Me Anything? Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. More questions answered... What does the new Premier League ball look like?Why are England playing Andorra in Spain?How is the Ballon d'Or winner decided?Summer transfer window - your questions answered
The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Cristiano Ronaldo shrugs off pre-match scuffle with pitch invader to secure win against Germany
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal in Portugal 's 2-1 semi-final victory over Germany in Munich, securing their place in the Nations League final. Florian Wirtz initially put Germany ahead in the second half, but Portugal responded with goals from Francisco Conceicao and Ronaldo. Conceicao's goal was a curling effort from 25 yards, while Ronaldo's was a tap-in after a pass from Nuno Mendes. The match was briefly delayed due to an electrical storm, and Ronaldo had a pre-match encounter with a fan seeking a selfie. Portugal will now face either Spain or France in the Nations League final on Sunday.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
Ronaldo hits winner as Portugal floor Germany to reach Nations League final
Cristiano Ronaldo was Portugal's hero as his goal capped a thrilling comeback to beat Germany 2-1 in Munich and earn a place in Sunday's Nations League final. The hosts had gone in front early in the second half when Liverpool transfer target Florian Wirtz headed home, but Roberto Martínez's men hit back with two goals in five minutes. Substitute Francisco Conceição levelled with a fantastic long-range strike, before Ronaldo converted from Nuno Mendes' cross to seal victory. There was drama before kick-off, which was delayed by 10 minutes due to a hail storm over the Allianz Arena. Ronaldo also had to deal with a young pitch invader who was grabbed by stewards as he tried to approach the Portugal captain for a selfie. The hosts had the better of the first half, with the Portugal keeper Diogo Costa making a point-blank save to deny debutant Nick Woltemade's fizzed effort, then getting down quickly to turn Leon Goretzka's low shot around the post. Ronaldo spurned the visitors' best chance, failing to find the corner of the net with a shot on the turn. Portugal were inches away from taking the lead early in the second half as Ronaldo was just unable to connect with Nuno Mendes' incisive cross, which agonisingly grazed the forward's studs. Moments later, Wirtz broke the deadlock, heading home a delightful clipped ball over the defence from Joshua Kimmich, who was celebrating his 100th Germany cap. The visitors appealed in vain for a foul, with Rúben Dias adamant he had been obstructed by Woldemate, allowing Wirtz to steer a header beyond Costa and into the far corner. The referee, Slovenia's Slavko Vincic, reviewed the goal on a pitchside monitor but did not award either a foul or offside, and Wirtz' opener stood. Martínez made a triple change just before the hour mark, with Juventus winger Conceição replacing Francisco Trinçao on the right side. It was Conceição who changed the game five minutes later, cutting in from the right, driving towards goal and finding the far corner with a 25-yard effort that swerved and dipped. That seemed like a good omen for Portugal – Francisco's father, Sérgio, scored a hat-trick the last time they beat Germany, at Euro 2000. So it proved five minutes later as Bruno Fernandes played in Nuno Mendes, whose cross found Ronaldo just onside, six yards out, to slot past Marc-André ter Stegen for his 137th international goal. Germany came close to an equaliser when substitute Karim Adeyemi struck the near post from a tight angle, but in the latter stages it was Portugal who looked more likely to score as Julian Nagelsmann's team ran out of ideas. Conceição, who was named player of the match, sent a powerful strike just wide, while Ter Stegen made a miraculous double save to deny substitute Diogo Jota and then Conceição's shot on the rebound in the dying moments. Still, Portugal's work was done, and the 2019 Nations League winners advance to a final against either 2021 champions France or the current holders, Spain, at the same venue on Sunday night.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Cristiano Ronaldo's son receives maiden call-up to Portugal U15 squad
New Delhi: Cristiano dos Santos, the eldest son of the highest scorer in football history, Cristiano Ronaldo, has received his maiden call-up to the U-15 Portugal side. The 14-year-old, like his father, plays for Al-Nassr (junior side) in Saudi Arabia. Ronaldo took to social media to congratulate his son for following in his footsteps. 'Orgulho em ti filho! (Proud of you, son!),' read the Instagram story by Ronaldo. The U-15 Portugal National Team is preparing to compete in the seventh edition of the Vlatko Markovic International Tournament, in Croatia, between May 13 and 18. The Portuguese team will play four matches, the first three against Japan (May 13), Greece (May 14) and England (May 16). The fourth and final match will take place on May 18, with the opponent yet to be decided. In addition to the meetings, they will also hold four training sessions, two at the Cidade do Futebol and another two on Croatian soil. Words will never be enough to describe what Ronaldo has done for Portugal and the sport. After debuting in 2003, he went on to become the country's all-time leading goal scorer with 136 goals and the most capped player with 219 appearances to his name. He has represented Portugal in youth leagues, major tournaments, and led the team to victories in the UEFA Euro 2016 and the inaugural UEFA Nations League triumph. The Portuguese faithful will hope he continues his father's legacy and turns out to be a great player in the coming years. Portugal U15 squad list: Al Nassr: Cristiano dos Santos CS Fola Esch-Alzette: Daniel Freire; FC Porto: Emiliano Cassama, Gonçalo Fontes, Gonçalo Santos, Henrique Maduro, Joao Lopes, Salvador Ribeiro and Tiago Caires; FC Alverca: Afonso Pereira FC Famalicao: Guilherme Maia SC Braga: Andre Marques, Carlos Moita, Eduardo Alves, Guilherme Lima, Rafael Cabral, Valdir Fernandes and Vicente Santos Tottenham Hotspur FC: Donte Lawrence Vitoria SC: Henrique Amen, Lourenco Fernandes and Tiago Amorim
