PORTUGAL tasted Nations League glory for a second time with Cristiano Ronaldo playing a starring role – and Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata the villain.
Match Report
After winning the inaugural 2019 edition, Roberto Martinez’s men are champions once more in a thrilling finale in Munich, fighting back twice to draw level against reigning European champions Spain.
Ronaldo netted an ingenious equalising 61st minute volley to make it 2-2 for his 938th career goal and 138th for his country – but the 40-year-old watched the penalties from the bench, along with 17-year-old teenage superstar Lamine Yamal.
And Spain’s Morata missed his spot-kick for Ruben Neves to slot home the winner.
Both nations were vying to become the first to lift the Nations League twice.
A slow start was thrust into life by a Nico Williams whipped curler that just cleared the bar after 17 minutes – and four minutes later the Spaniards were ahead.
Yamal at the heart of it, his delicious cross was made a mess of by a scrambling Portugal defence, allowing soon-to-be Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi to score just his second international goal.
Spain were 4-0 up after 55 minutes in their 5-4 semi thriller against France last week, but Ronaldo was not about to let that happen again as he burst in behind to spark an attack.
It ended with Mendes firing low into the bottom corner in the 26th minute, but not before a VAR check that judged Ronaldo to have timed his run to perfection.
The final say of the first half was Spain’s.
Pedri with a superb reverse pass to tee up Mikel Oyarzabal in injury time – the man who broke English hearts in the Euros final in Berlin last summer producing another big goal in Munich.
Martinez responded by bringing on Neves and Nelson Semedo at the break, and it almost had an instant impact as Bruno Fernandes had a 49th minute strike ruled out for offside.
An equaliser was coming and Ronaldo reacted first to a deflected looped cross that bamboozled Marc Cucurella for his eighth Nations League of the campaign.
He hobbled off with a muscular injury in the 88th minute, while Yamal was subbed in the 106th minute, as the game became niggly with a VAR red-check following a mass melee.
Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes all slotted home their penalties before Neves became the hero.
Data Debrief: Ronaldo has his say once again
Portugal have now become the most successful team in the history of the Nations League after lifting their second title, and their first since 2018-19, with their leading marksman once again standing tall on the grandest of stages.
Ronaldo's strike in the 61st minute proved crucial in the context of the game. Indeed, no player has scored more goals against Spain than the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in all competitions since January 2004 (Eduardo Vargas also has four).
But Spain can reflect on another impressive international campaign. La Roja finished the 2024-25 tournament having scored 25 goals in 10 matches, the most by any team in a single edition of the men's competition since its inception in 2018.
And Oyarzabal also made history for La Roja. He became the first player in Spanish history to score in three different finals, having also found the net in the Nations League showpiece in 2021 and Euro 2024 final.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
5' Joao Neves volleys it into the ground and it bounces wide!
13' Mendes wins ball but then loses it back to Yamal before Bruno chops him down!
14' Free-kick just outside the Portugal box but Yamal drags it well over the bar!
15' Pedri sends the shot spinning wide from the Nico Williams cutback!
21' GOAL! Martín Zubimendi slams the finish high into the net! Portugal 0-1 Spain
26' GOAL! Mendes smashes the ball hard into corner of the net! Portugal 1-1 Spain
33' Yellow Card! Fabian Ruiz booked for a late one on the dangerous figure of Neto!
45' GOAL! Oyarzabal with slight touches on ball beyond keeper! Portugal 1-2 Spain
46' Nelson Semedo and Ruben Neves are on as Neves and Conceicao depart the scene!
49' Bruno struck a stunning shot from 22 yards, but Neto is offside before assist!
56' Costa gets down sharply to make a decent stop from the speculative Ruiz effort!
61' GOAL! Cristiano Ronaldo buries the finish beyond Simon! Portugal 2-2 Spain
63' Brilliant stuff from Pedri on the break but Mendes makes the vital block!
75' Renato Veiga and Rafael Leao arrive for Goncalo Inacio and Bernardo Silva!
82' Yellow Card! Pedro Neto booked for pull back Lamine Yamal!
83' Isco's swerving hit from 22 yards or so is tipped over the bar by Costa!
88' Ronaldo gives the captain's armband to Bruno and is replaced by Goncalo Ramos!
92' Mendes crosses beautifully, but Semedo shanks his finish wide!
100' Yellow Card! Nuno Mendes booked Nuno Mendes for protesting!
108' Porro's Beckham-style long shot just misses, Costa scrambles!
Line-ups
Portugal XI: Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Diogo Costa, Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Francisco Conceição, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inácio, João Neves
Subs: Rui Silva, Semedo, Jose Sa, Neves, Palhinha, Jota, Dalot, Francisco Trincão, Felix, Pedro Gonçalves, Leao, Gonçalo Ramos, António Silva, Renato Veiga, Rodrigo Mora
Spain XI: Le Normand, Unai Simón, Cucurella, Fabian Ruiz, Oyarzabal, Martín Zubimendi, Óscar Mingueza, Pedri, Nico Williams, Dean Huijsen, Yamal
Subs: Isco, Morata, Grimaldo, Álex Remiro, David Raya, Merino, Olmo, Dani Vivian, Álex Baena, Porro, Yeremy, Gavi, Fermín López, Samu Aghehowa, Cubarsi
LEO-MESSI-GOAT30
0
don't cry yourself to sleep after seeing Ronaldo win a trophy! 😂
you mean a plate?😂
Spheg
0
So Yamal wasn’t tracking Neto ? It went both ways Stop trying to twist the game to make Yamal look like he was prime Messi who was marked
it wasn't just neto only tracking yamal baby boy. n ure right bro. yamal failled🙏
Allez_
0
u really don't understand football, neto did his job perfectly, which was to help track yamal, u guys need to be shown like url weren't watching the game. I am not against portugal. it just what happened. it good to favour what u like bt let's understand the game n speak facts
[image]
So Yamal wasn’t tracking Neto ? It went both ways Stop trying to twist the game to make Yamal look like he was prime Messi who was marked
Spheg
0
How many players were on simple average Pedro Neto Another foolish stupid Barca fan Come back to reality
u really don't understand football, neto did his job perfectly, which was to help track yamal, u guys need to be shown like url weren't watching the game. I am not against portugal. it just what happened. it good to favour what u like bt let's understand the game n speak facts
Spheg
0
It’s call tactics get a better Spanish coach then Simple
yeah u right, mainly on the boy, the boy was against half of Portuguese plus Madrid fans
tecabstuyz
0
Once again got carried by his team with no golden boot or best player award
Bro respect him .At 40 years he scored 8 goals in one tournament RESPECT.+at 40 years you’d be missing in front of goal
tecabstuyz
0
So Yamal becomes the Youngest player to have lost a final... hahahahah 😆🤣 this one sweet me pass..
[image]
If you don’t stop I go report you
EmanuelJijie
0
Good Next !
You just proved my point😂
Allez_
0
No point to argue with you, you’re right, have a good day.
Good Next !
Allez_
0
yes Mendez was the main man to face yamal, n he was really good. am not denying him that. when lamine had the ball there was always 2 players tracking him. especially to deny him to cut inside forcing him to stay wide n not have enough options. it not like it was a 1v1. mvp for me is Mendez bt it wasn't a 1v1 with yamal. even the formation was 3-5-2. neto n Bernardo silva was closing in on yamal. vitinha as u seen was always alone n dishing the balls to Bruno.
It’s call tactics get a better Spanish coach then Simple
Allez_
0
yes Mendez was the main man to face yamal, n he was really good. am not denying him that. when lamine had the ball there was always 2 players tracking him. especially to deny him to cut inside forcing him to stay wide n not have enough options. it not like it was a 1v1. mvp for me is Mendez bt it wasn't a 1v1 with yamal. even the formation was 3-5-2. neto n Bernardo silva was closing in on yamal. vitinha as u seen was always alone n dishing the balls to Bruno.
How many players were on simple average Pedro Neto Another foolish stupid Barca fan Come back to reality
EmanuelJijie
0
You are talking about a ucl winner with 5G/A in ucl and he’s a LB Shame will carry you drown Nothing special?when you don’t watch him play Better to shut up your large mouth if you got nothing to say
No point to argue with you, you’re right, have a good day.
Allez_
0
Yeah..tell Madrid to not use average lb’s next season😂 What Mendez did all season?He had a very good game today,Yamal had a bad day, Portugal won the final. I’m happy for them, it’s good for Ronaldo retirement,Yamal has all the time in the world,he is still 17.
What Mendez did all season???? Pocketing Salah Saka and Yamal it’s not water And if you don’t watch him play that’s your problem don’t come here talking trash when you don’t follow a player up
Allez_
0
Like I said..not a good day for him. Mendez had the best day of this season, he did not nothing special the rest of the season,and they won, good for them,no hard feelings.
You are talking about a ucl winner with 5G/A in ucl and he’s a LB Shame will carry you drown Nothing special?when you don’t watch him play Better to shut up your large mouth if you got nothing to say
Allez_
0
[image]
You are a kid living in delusion 😹making up your own reality 😹 If the ball is given at the other end to Williams or any winger he will also be blocked by 2,3 players it’s called playing as a team
Allez_
0
u guys r like kids, url need pics like these. like url weren't watching the game
[image]
U really are a fool at the other end why did Yamal track back to assist the wing back to block Pedro Neto That’s how football is played tactics you cant allow 1v1 cus the attacker will always have a chance to pass even Neto can pass a 1v1 that’s what they train for every day
yatlmopt
1
image if all league where in the same team
Sla1091
7
Who noticed that ' YAMAL🔥 ' played as a full back while ' Mendes ❤️💪 ' played as a dangerous Winger in the game😄
Emchi
4
Barcelona and CR7 haters are now in hell with their mess
AFerOPlO9499
6
Dembele is lucky he plays for PSG otherwise MENDEZ 🤫
Football_Messi
0
but they don't have good referees and fofa officials on their side which ur idol penalty merchant
well unfortunately u can cry the whole day.. n end of the day u can't change it that Ronaldo is a world cup flop
AFerOPlO9499
0
I’m o more Varllon d’or claims and talks 🤭🤭
jojooski
0
I'm even glad the guy is black! We are doing great!
you are a racist, no to racism... and am not laughing
jojooski
0
Rafael Leao to me is a lazy player
and you are a very lazy person for not explaining why he's a lazy player after the explanation you must justify all your point if not then you are a lazy person but not "very"
jojooski
5
lol where is that stupid boy?? 🤣 😂 believe it or not am a die hard messi fan which means i still like barca but am very happy cr7 shows this boy and all the gen zs their place...
Zicdeilry
2
siuu
SachinR21
11
Leobele
2
Rafael Leao to me is a lazy player
miadilmopy
0
Spain 🇪🇸 coach where's Barcelona player's
lawalolamide
8
*🚨 BREAKING*❗❗ *Lamine yamass becomes the first 17 year old to be dispossessed 22 times in a final 😳*
EmanuelJijie
0
he was well cooked
Like I said..not a good day for him. Mendez had the best day of this season, he did not nothing special the rest of the season,and they won, good for them,no hard feelings.
EmanuelJijie
0
He talks much
He does, but he also proves himself too. He’s still 17, just think about the whole world talking about you, what would you do? Hell grow,he’ll learn.
iamironman009
0
he should not even come close to the balloon d'or vitinha and Nuno Mendes are clearly ahead among others
they won't brother,If you haven't realized already Balon d'or is a PR based award
EmanuelJijie
0
When dembele is having a bad day watin una talk. Yamal shut him off. Now yamal turn u remember say player da get bad day
I never said anything about Dembele, I like him, he had a great season with PSG. He never impressed in France, like so manny other players. Look at Vinicius and Rapinha..they’re good in club,but on Brazil team they’re just regular players..nothing special.
Omar_nacosty
2
I see Ronald fans celebrating domestic league, and comparing Lamine with their legend. omo this guys are too funny, World cup winners like us.
(H I P T) haters in pepper tears 😭
buduski
9
I thought they said he is an incredible player he played against the goat 🐐 today and he flopped
iamironman009
1
He’s kept them quiet, but in the end Yamal, Raphina and Mo Salah will still win the Balón d oro over him
pr
EmanuelJijie
0
He met a world class LB and couldn't do anything. You think it's those average la Liga LBs?😂
Yeah..tell Madrid to not use average lb’s next season😂 What Mendez did all season?He had a very good game today,Yamal had a bad day, Portugal won the final. I’m happy for them, it’s good for Ronaldo retirement,Yamal has all the time in the world,he is still 17.
AFaixal
7
Bruno Fernandes after a season without thropy : Finally, I won it.
iamironman009
0
Nuno Mendes has kept Mo Salah, Bukayo Saka and Lamine Yamal quiet this season. Just casually locking up world-class wingers like it’s nothing 😮💨🔒
[image]
he is so underrated
TheGreat007
6
Nuno Mendes reminded Yamal that he's still a little boy 🤐
riycklopt
1
Congratulations to Ronaldo from a Messi Fan
Respect👊
Fiobcilnot
0
THEY CAN CALL YOU THE BEST PLAYER UNTILL YOU MEET NUNO MENDES,, LEMINE YAMAL CALM DOWN!!
[image]
he's just a kid relax guy
buduski
11
careful Lamin Yamal is in his pocket
Sokabdoru
11
RONALDO TO YAMAL ,...
buduski
12
so yamal has a bigger brother called nuno
wuznotuz
1
Enough of iamal, he’s to light weight,
Cr7hora07
6
Nuno Mendes really shut down Mo Salah, Bukayo Saka and Lamine Yamal in the same season. Not to mention, no other defender scored more goals in the UCL this campaign. The best left back in the world? 🔥
buduski
6
breaking news lamin yamal has kept his son glasses from the public
Foodosyz
4
Madrid really need player like mendes what a baller