Portugal clinched the UEFA Nations League title for the second time since the tournament\u2019s inception, having first lifted the trophy in 2019. This time, they edged past neighbors and reigning champions Spain 5\u20133 in a penalty shootout following a dramatic 2\u20132 draw after extra time in the final at the Allianz Arena in Munich.<\/p>
Despite twice taking the lead through Real Sociedad duo Mart\u00edn Zubimendi (21\u2019) and Mikel Oyarzabal (45\u2019), Spain failed to hold on, as Portugal responded with goals from left-back Nuno Mendes (26\u2019) and star forward Cristiano Ronaldo (61\u2019). Ronaldo was forced off due to injury in the final minutes of regulation, but burst into tears of joy at full-time as he lifted the trophy once again as captain of A Sele\u00e7\u00e3o<\/em>.<\/p> With the deadlock persisting through extra time, the match went to penalties, where Portugal converted all five of their spot-kicks. Spain, however, faltered when \u00c1lvaro Morata\u2019s attempt (4th) was saved\u2014mirroring their path to the 2023 title, which they had won via penalties over Croatia.<\/p> This marks Portugal\u2019s third major international title, adding to their UEFA Euro 2016 triumph and their 2019 Nations League crown\u2014both won with 1\u20130 victories (against France and the Netherlands, respectively).<\/p> Spain opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Lamine Yamal sent a ball into the box that deflected awkwardly off Portugal\u2019s R\u00faben Dias and Jo\u00e3o Neves. Zubimendi pounced on the loose ball and calmly slotted it past goalkeeper Diogo Costa.<\/p> Portugal quickly responded five minutes later. Full-back Nuno Mendes surged forward after receiving a pass from Pedro Neto and struck a low, powerful shot into Unai Sim\u00f3n\u2019s bottom left corner.<\/p> Spain regained the lead just before halftime, as Oyarzabal expertly guided Pedri\u2019s precise pass into the net (45\u2019).<\/p> The equaliser came in the 61st minute when Mendes again broke down the left flank, easily beating Yamal before sending in a cross that deflected off Robin Le Normand. The ball fell perfectly for Ronaldo, who snuck behind Marc Cucurella to tap it home with his right foot from close range.<\/p> The game remained locked through extra time, pushing the final into a shootout. Portugal showed nerves of steel as Gon\u00e7alo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Mendes, and Neves all converted. For Spain, substitutes Mikel Merino (Arsenal), \u00c1lex Baena (Villarreal), and Isco (Real Betis) scored, but Morata\u2014currently at Galatasaray\u2014had his attempt saved by Costa, sealing the Portuguese victory.<\/p> France secured third place with a 2\u20130 victory over the host nation, Germany, in Stuttgart. Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 opened the scoring on the brink of halftime (45\u2019) and later provided the assist for substitute Michael Olise\u2019s clinching goal in the 84th minute.<\/p> This win marked Les Bleus\u2019<\/em> first over Die Mannschaft<\/em> since June 2021, ending a run of two friendly defeats. For Germany, it was a second consecutive loss\u2014their first such streak since 2023\u2014after falling to Portugal 1\u20132 in the semifinals.<\/p>","continue_text":"Continue Reading","main_heading":"Blog"},"yoast_head":"\nKey Moments from the Final<\/strong><\/h2>
France Clinch Third Place Against Hosts Germany<\/strong><\/h2>