Portugal became two-time Nations League winners with an epic victory over defending champions Spain thanks to Diogo Costas shoot-out save from Alvaro Morata, which sealed a 5-3 success on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears of delight at the end. He had been forced to watch the decisive moment from the sidelines after going off injured but played his part in an enthralling contest, scoring Portugals second as they twice came from behind against the European champions.
I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal, Ronaldo said. These are tears. Its mission accomplished and so much joy. How the teams lined up | Match statsNations League scores & fixturesSky Sports to show 215 live PL games next season On a night where 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal was largely shackled by the excellent Nuno Mendes, who set up that Ronaldo goal and scored his sides other equaliser, it was Roberto Martinezs men who emerged victorious, adding to their 2019 triumph in this competition.
Ruben Neves applied the finishing touch to the victory, slamming in his penalty after Morata had been denied to spark emotional celebrations in the Allianz Arena in Munich. With the World Cup just 12 months away, these two sides will be dreaming of another showdown in North America.
And the quality in both squads, also demonstrated in semi-final wins over Germany and France, suggests they will be major contenders for that title too. Ronaldo addresses speculation on future Speaking after the match, Cristiano Ronaldo said he intends to stay with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr despite previously hinting his time at the club was coming to an end.
Future? Nothing will change. Al Nassr? Yes, he said. The comments come after Ronaldo posted a message on social media which read: This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. FIFA president Gianni Infantino fuelled the rumours by saying Ronaldo might play for one of the teams featuring at the Club World Cup in the United States and that there are discussions with some clubs.
How Portugal pipped Spain to title The spot-kicks came at the end of an intriguing final which began with Spain on top. After Pedri and Nico Williams went close, Arsenal transfer target Martin Zubimendi gave them a deserved lead on 21 minutes.
His carries up the pitch were a feature throughout the game and this one saw him eventually pick up the pieces from Yamals cross to finish the move he had started. This game had been billed as a face-off between young talent Yamal and the old master Ronaldo and the Portugal captain was involved in the equaliser which swiftly came at the other end, emerging the right side of a tight offside check to feed Pedro Neto, who in turn teed up Mendes for a thunderbolt into the bottom corner.
But Spain had the advantage at the break, with Mikel Oyarzabal – the match winner for them in the Euros final with England last summer – applying a cute finish to a gorgeous throughball from Pedri on the stroke of half-time.
There was a double change from Portugal at the break as they tried to shift the momentum and they did just that. Bruno Fernandes hit the net just moments into the second period but was denied by an offside flag on Neto earlier in the move.
On the hour mark Portugals improvement paid off, though. And it just had to be him. Forty-year-old Ronaldo was perfectly placed to volley in Mendes deflected cross and soaked up the adulation for his 138th goal for his country.
The forward limped off just before the end of normal time but he was not the only one feeling the pace as the game – so fast and feisty in its early stages – became a tense, tight affair. Diogo Jota had the best of the chances in added time, heading over from close range.
But no matter, Portugal were crowned soon after with their shoot-out success. Fan dies during Nations League finalUEFA have confirmed a fan died during the Nations League final between Spain and Portugal on Sunday after falling from an overhead level onto a media area below.
The incident occurred during the first period of extra-time. There was a medical emergency at the Munich arena and despite the best efforts of the medical team, the person sadly passed away at 00:06, a UEFA statement read.
Our thoughts are with their loved ones at this difficult time. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente addressed the incident at the start of his post-match news conference. Before we begin with the questions, I would like to express my condolences because a fan died in the stands today, De la Fuente said.
My condolences to the family.
