Portugal were crowned UEFA Nations League champions on Sunday with a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out victory over Spain.
Spain twice led during the final in Munich as first Martin Zubimendi and then Mikel Oyarzabal fired their side ahead. However Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo were able to level for Portugal and the game went to penalties, which would be decided by a missed penalty from Alvaro Morata.
Before scoring his 938th career goal, Ronaldo had spent 60 minutes getting precious little change from the stoic Spanish defense. But just after the hourmark a loose ball in the Spain box was deflected up in the air and Ronaldo used all of his experience to lever Marc Cucurella out of the way and prod the ball home.
The ball hit the back of the net in Germany but the 40-year-old’s goal was felt in every corner of the world. It was a reminder of what Cristiano Ronaldo still is, even at his advancing age.
Ronaldo has now managed to score in the final of ten different competitions and he has been in impressive form in this year’s Nations League, scoring eight times in nine matches.
Ronaldo’s heroics spread around the world
As you would expect, the reactions to that vital goal have been flooding social media. Famed soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano is one of those who got involved, referring to CR7 as an “absolute machine”.
Fox Soccer went more for the side of sharing the excitement of the young-experienced duel between Lamine Yamal and CR7 (the shots where while Cristiano celebrates, Lamine appears in the spotlight have already gone viral)
BeIn SPORTS USA reports another the record broken by Cristiano Ronaldo as he becomes the second-highest scorer in the history of the Nations League.
Even before the final, some of the Spain team revealed their admiration for Ronaldo. Spain goalscorer Mikel Oyarzabal said: “Cristiano is a role model for all of us who love this sport: both for the level he demonstrates at 40 years old and for the behavior he sets as an example.”