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 attract Munich on Sunday (June 8, 2025) to assert their second Nations League title.

Portugal twice went behind in regulation time however twice fought again to degree the scores.

“Our preventing spirit and togetherness had been decisive immediately,” Bruno Fernandes, who transformed his penalty, informed RTL.

“After we keep collectively like this, we’re very troublesome to beat.”

After 21 minutes, Martin Zubimendi took benefit of some sleepy Portugal defence to place Spain in entrance.

The good Nuno Mendes levelled issues up 5 minutes later.

Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain’s goalscorer within the Euro 2024 closing and the 2023 Nations League closing, put La Roja again in entrance simply earlier than the break.

Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet as he had been earlier than scoring the winner in opposition to Germany within the semis, equalised with 61 minutes gone, adjusting rapidly after a Mendes cross was deflected into the air, muscling previous Marc Cucurella and volleying the dropping ball dwelling.

Ronaldo was subbed off earlier than full-time with cramp. Though Portugal had the higher of additional time, the match went to penalties.

Either side transformed their first three spot kicks. Mendes buried Portugal’s fourth, earlier than Morata stepped up and shot straight at Diogo Costa.

Neves nervelessly transformed in entrance of the pink and inexperienced of the Portugal followers.

On the sidelines, Ronaldo couldn’t watch the ultimate penalty, burying his face in a teammate’s again. As soon as Neves transformed, the Portugal veteran fell to his knees and was embraced by gamers and workers.

The victory was simply Portugal’s second aggressive win over Iberian rival Spain of their lengthy historical past.

Portugal’s solely different win over Spain in a aggressive 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 turned the primary two-time winner of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was Portugal’s third main title, together with Euro 2016.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente mentioned the match was “equal”.

“We did so much nicely, however in soccer typically issues occur and the opponent is ready to beat you,” he mentioned.

Portugal equalise twice

Whereas Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal’s fluid motion troubled the Portugese defence early within the match, La Roja’s opener was scrappy.

Yamal chipped from outdoors the field and the Portugal defence froze, botching a clearance which fell to Zubimendi, who leathered the ball into the web.

The purpose was simply rewards for Spain’s early dominance, however Portugal hit again nearly instantly.

Mendes, put by means of by Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot throughout the purpose and in.

Simply earlier than halftime, Spain picked Portugal’s pocket in their very own half earlier than advancing. Pedri linked with Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball previous Diogo Costa.

Oyarzabal’s purpose meant he has scored in three worldwide finals — in opposition to England at Euro 2024, which Spain received, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain misplaced.

Ronaldo had completed little aside from encourage the closely Portuguese crowd till that time however would decide his second to strike.

With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled Cucurella earlier than lashing a volley dwelling.

The purpose was Ronaldo’s fourth in 10 matches in opposition to Spain. The earlier three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw on the 2018 World Cup.

Limping within the dying phases of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night time was over.

Spain could have been assured when the match went to further time, having received on penalties in 2023, however Portugal had been faultless, Neves stepping up and changing to ship his teammates, together with a hobbled Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch.