After a thrilling match ended in a 2–2 draw, Portugal defeated Spain in a penalty shootout to bring home the 2024–25 Nations League trophy
Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal had put Spain ahead twice before Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo scored to force extra time and penalties.
Portugal, winners of the inaugural competition in 2019, became the first nation to win the Nations League twice.
Touted as a showdown between Cristiano and Lamine Yamal, but it was two Real Sociedad men who delivered for Spain, while Ronaldo belied his age to cap a commendable performance with a goal.
Zubimendi put Spain ahead in the 21st minute, profiting from a poorly cleared Yamal ball to slot into the open net for 1-0.
The lead lasted only five minutes, with Mendes collecting Pedro Neto’s cross before hitting a low, hard shot into the bottom far corner for 1-1.
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Oyarzabal gave La Roja the lead again on the stroke of halftime, finding the bottom corner off Pedri’s pass, handing Spain a 2-1 advantage at the break.
A hardworking Ronaldo epitomised the fighting spirit Portugal showed all night, and it was inevitable that the 40-year-old captain supplied the equaliser with a shot into the net from a loose clearance for 2-2.
It was the Al Nassr striker’s 138th goal for his country, and his eighth in nine Nations League games.
A plethora of changes and tired legs, including Ronaldo, who was substituted, slowed down the pace of the game, and both sides had to settle for penalty kicks, where Diego Costa saved Alvaro Morata’s kick before Ruben Neves scored the winning penalty kick to seal another international trophy for Portugal.
It is the first time in 15 years Portugal will get the better of Spain in an international match since their 4-0 friendly win in 2010.
The latest Nations League triumph is Ronaldo and Portugal’s third international trophy.
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