Portugal clinched their second UEFA Nations League title on Sunday after a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout victory over rivals Spain in Munich, following a 2-2 draw in regular and extra time.
The win marks Portugal’s first major triumph under manager Roberto Martinez and adds to their Euro 2016 and 2019 Nations League titles.
Spain took the lead twice during the match, with goals from Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal, but Portugal showed resilience, responding with goals from Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s 61st-minute volley brought Portugal level for a second time, before he was subbed off in extra time due to cramp.
Both sides were level at the end of extra time, sending the final to a penalty shootout. After both teams converted their opening three spot kicks, Mendes scored Portugal’s fourth. Spain’s Alvaro Morata then missed, shooting straight at goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Rúben Neves converted the decisive penalty to seal the title for Portugal.
The win was just Portugal’s second-ever competitive victory over Spain, their first since Euro 2004. Ronaldo’s goal was his fourth against Spain in his career, and it came in front of a heavily Portuguese crowd in Munich.
The victory also ends Spain’s bid to win back-to-back titles, despite a strong performance from young stars Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. Oyarzabal, who scored in three consecutive international finals, again found the net but it was not enough to prevent defeat.
With this triumph, Portugal become the first two-time winners of the UEFA Nations League, which was inaugurated in 2018.
