Nuno Mendes cancelled out Martín Zubimendi’s 21st-minute opener just five minutes later with a superb strike. Although Mikel Oyarzabal restored Spain’s lead shortly before half-time, Cristiano Ronaldo equalised early in the second half with his 138th international goal, showcasing his enduring impact at 40 years old.
Despite both teams creating chances during the remainder of regular time and extra time, neither side could find a winner, sending the match to penalties. Portugal held their nerve, with goalkeeper Diogo Costa making crucial saves. Álvaro Morata missed Spain’s decisive spot-kick, allowing Bruno Fernandes to convert the winning penalty and seal Portugal’s victory.
To reach the final, Portugal had come from behind to beat Germany 2–1 in the semi-finals. Francisco Conceição and Ronaldo were the scorers after Florian Wirtz had put the Germans ahead. Spain advanced by winning a nine-goal thriller against France, with young star Lamine Yamal scoring twice in their 5–4 victory.
This final marked the first-ever Iberian clash in a Nations League final. While Spain had the better historical record with 18 wins to Portugal’s six, Portugal rose to the occasion on the night and emerged victorious.
Ronaldo’s performance, including his goal and his leadership throughout the tournament, underlined his continued importance to the national team. His brief shirt swap with Nico Williams at half-time drew attention, but it didn’t overshadow his contributions on the pitch.
With this triumph, Portugal add a second Nations League trophy to their collection, following their 2019 success.
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