Background and Significance of the Match
In an exhilarating and tense Iberian derby, Portugal overthrew defending champions Spain in the UEFA Nations League European competition. The match, held on Sunday at the Munich final, ended with Portugal winning 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw. This victory marks Portugal’s third title with the senior national team, following their Euro 2016 triumph and the Nations League win in 2019.
Key Players and Their Impact
Álvaro Morata’s missed penalty in the fourth attempt, which goalkeeper Diogo Costa correctly anticipated, ultimately handed Portugal the trophy. Ruben Neves scored the decisive penalty shortly afterward.
Martín Zubimendi (minute 21) and Mikel Oyarzabal (45), both players from the Real Sociedad, put Spain ahead twice. However, Portugal managed to equalize on both occasions, with goals from Nuno Mendes (26) and Cristiano Ronaldo (61).
Ronaldo, despite being substituted around the 87th minute due to a perceived physical issue, played an active role in Portugal’s triumph at the age of 40. His contribution includes his 138th goal in 221 appearances for the national team.
Match Summary
First Half:
- Spain took the lead in the 21st minute through Martín Zubimendi.
- Portugal equalized in the 26th minute with a goal from Nuno Mendes.
Second Half:
- Mikel Oyarzabal extended Spain’s lead to 2-1 in the 45th minute.
- Cristiano Ronaldo equalized in the 61st minute, scoring his 138th goal for Portugal.
Penalty Shootout:
- All players converted their penalties until Álvaro Morata’s miss, which allowed Portugal to clinch the victory.
Historical Context and Implications
Portugal now stands alone at the top of the UEFA Nations League’s young history with two titles, surpassing France (2021) and Spain (2023), who each have one title.
Spain’s loss marks their second defeat in three finals within the competition, having lost to France in 2021 and defeating Croatia two years later. This victory prevents Spain from achieving a triple crown in the coming years, having lifted the Nations League trophy in 2023 and the European Championship the previous year.
Additional Context
The atmosphere surrounding the match evoked memories of Spain’s Euro 2022 triumph in Germany. The song “Potra salvaje,” an unofficial anthem of the Spanish team’s success, played over the stadium’s sound system. Fans followed a ‘super tie-break’ on their mobile phones, which led to Carlos Alcaraz’s second Roland Garros title just two minutes before the match began.
Despite early chances for Spain, Portugal responded swiftly with an equalizer in the 26th minute. The teams went into halftime with Spain leading 2-1, following a goal from Mikel Oyarzabal just before the break.
Portugal came out aggressively in the second half, and their persistent efforts paid off with Ronaldo’s equalizing goal in the 61st minute. Isco Alarcón had a chance to avoid extra time in the 83rd minute, but Diogo Costa saved his shot from the edge of the area.
During extra time, Portugal created more opportunities than Spain. Nelson Semedo had the best chance in the 92nd minute, but failed to capitalize. The match eventually went to penalties, where only Morata missed, sealing Portugal’s victory.
In the third-place playoff match, France defeated Germany 2-0, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a goal and providing an assist for Michael Olise’s goal.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who won the UEFA Nations League final? Portugal defeated Spain 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
- Who were the key players in this match? Cristiano Ronaldo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Martín Zubimendi, and Álvaro Morata played crucial roles in the game.
- What does this victory mean for Portugal? This win marks Portugal’s third title with the senior national team, following their Euro 2016 triumph and the Nations League win in 2019.
- How did the match unfold? Both teams exchanged leads twice in the first half, with Ronaldo equalizing in the second half. The match went to penalties, where only Morata missed, sealing Portugal’s victory.
