Portugal emerged as champions of the UEFA Nations League for the second time on Sunday night, overcoming arch-rivals Spain in a tense and thrilling final that was decided by a dramatic penalty shootout at the iconic Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
The final ended 2-2 after regular and extra time, with the two European powerhouses battling fiercely for supremacy. It was a clash that lived up to expectations, showcasing end-to-end football, world-class goals, and emotional moments.
Spain, the defending champions and 2023 titleholders, opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi capitalized on a defensive lapse to find the back of the net following a chaotic sequence inside Portugal’s box.
However, Portugal responded almost instantly. Just five minutes later, Nuno Mendes took advantage of space on the left to fire a low shot past Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon, drawing the match level and igniting the Portuguese fans in the stadium.
Spain regained their lead shortly before halftime through Mikel Oyarzabal, who slotted in confidently after a swift attacking move. But Portugal refused to back down and came back fighting in the second half.
The equaliser came in the 61st minute courtesy of none other than Cristiano Ronaldo, who showcased his trademark predatory instincts by volleying home a deflected cross from close range to notch his remarkable 138th international goal.
With the scores tied at 2-2, the match headed into extra time, where both teams had chances but were unable to find a winner. As tension mounted, it all came down to penalties.
Portugal showed composure from the spot, with Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Nuno Mendes all converting their attempts. The turning point came when Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa made a crucial save from Alvaro Morata, setting up Ruben Neves to step up and take the decisive kick.
Neves made no mistake, calmly sending the keeper the wrong way to seal the victory. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had been subbed off before the shootout, was seen in tears of joy on the sidelines as his teammates celebrated the historic win.
This triumph marks a significant milestone in Portugal’s football history, making them the first nation to win the UEFA Nations League title twice, having previously lifted the trophy in the inaugural 2019 edition. The victory also denies Spain the opportunity to become back-to-back champions.
Portugal’s resilience, team spirit, and composure under pressure ultimately proved decisive on a night of high drama and unforgettable football in Munich.