Portugal edged past rivals Spain in a dramatic penalty shootout in Munich to claim their second UEFA Nations League trophy.
The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes of high-tempo football. Cristiano Ronaldo leveled the score in the 61st minute, but neither side could find a winner in regulation time. Substituted before extra time, Ronaldo was overcome with emotion on the sidelines after Ruben Neves scored the decisive penalty, sealing victory following Diogo Costa’s crucial save from Álvaro Morata.
Spain, the 2023 champions, had struck first in the 21st minute through Martín Zubimendi. But Portugal hit back quickly, with Nuno Mendes driving a low shot into the far corner just five minutes later.
Mikel Oyarzabal restored Spain’s lead before halftime, only for Ronaldo to equalize once more—meeting Mendes’ deflected cross and volleying in from close range.
In the shootout, Portugal’s Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Mendes all converted their penalties confidently. After Costa denied Morata, Neves stepped up to send Portugal into the history books as the first team to win the Nations League twice—denying Spain a chance to do the same.
The victory marks another golden moment for Portugal’s current generation, with a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talent. It also adds to Ronaldo’s illustrious legacy as he continues to play a pivotal role in major tournaments, even in the twilight of his international career.
