Portugal defeated Spain in the Nations League final in Munich on penalties to win the trophy for the second time. The match ended 2-2 after 90 minutes, with Cristiano Ronaldo equalising in the 61st minute.
Spain took the lead in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi took advantage of a lack of confidence in the Portuguese defence and scored with a simple shot into the net. Five minutes later, Nuno Mendes equalised with a powerful cross that went into the corner. Before the break, Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain back in front with a well-placed shot after a well-constructed move from midfield.
Early in the second half, captain Ronaldo found a way to equalise. He grabbed a ball after Cucurella's deflection, pushed the ball into the air and fired it into the net for his 138th international goal. The match went to penalties, where Diogo Costa saved Alvaro Morata's shot. Scorers Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes scored calmly, while Morata missed his shot. Ruben Neves converted the final penalty to seal Portugal's victory.
The victory makes Portugal the first team to win the Nations League twice. The Portuguese's first victory came in 2019, the inaugural season of the Nations League. The final was expected to be a showdown between five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo and rising star Lamine Yamal, but both had a quiet half. Yamal was substituted in extra time without making an impact after being well-controlled by Mendes. After the final kick, Ronaldo, despite his emotions, celebrated with tears of joy and lifted the trophy as celebrations filled the Allianz Arena. The night sealed a great triumph for Portugal and Ronaldo, at the end of an amazing career.
