Portugal have been crowned UEFA Nations League champions for the second time after edging past Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in a pulsating final in Munich on Sunday.
Ruben Neves scored the decisive penalty after Alvaro Morata’s miss proved costly for La Roja. The dramatic victory adds another chapter to Portugal’s football history, marking their third major title alongside their Euro 2016 triumph and their first Nations League title in 2019.
The final was a rollercoaster of emotions. Spain took the lead twice, but Portugal responded on both occasions, demonstrating their grit and resilience. Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a lacklustre clearance from the Portuguese defence after a chip from Lamine Yamal. His powerful finish rewarded Spain’s early dominance.
But Portugal responded swiftly. Just five minutes later, Nuno Mendes, who was outstanding throughout the match, equalised with a low, drilled effort across goal after being played through by Pedro Neto.
As the first half drew to a close, Spain regained the lead. Pedri dispossessed Portugal in their own half and combined neatly with Mikel Oyarzabal, who coolly slotted past Diogo Costa. The goal was yet another in a string of crucial strikes from Oyarzabal, who has now scored in three international finals—Euro 2024 against England, and the 2023 and 2025 Nations League finals.
Cristiano Ronaldo, quiet for much of the game as he was in the semifinal against Germany until his decisive goal, struck once again when it mattered. In the 61st minute, Mendes whipped in a deflected cross, and Ronaldo muscled past Marc Cucurella to volley the dropping ball into the net. It was his fourth career goal against Spain, having scored a hat-trick in the thrilling 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.
Ronaldo, visibly exhausted, was substituted late in the match after suffering from cramp. The game eventually went into extra time, where Portugal looked the stronger side but could not find a winner.
In the penalty shootout, both teams converted their first three spot-kicks. Mendes buried Portugal’s fourth, before Morata struck a tame effort straight at Diogo Costa. That opened the door for Neves, who stepped up with composure and blasted the winner to send the Portuguese fans into ecstasy. A hobbling Ronaldo joined his teammates in jubilant celebrations on the pitch.
This historic victory was only Portugal’s second competitive win over Spain in their long-standing rivalry. The first came in Euro 2004, when a teenage Ronaldo starred in a 1-0 group stage win that eliminated Spain from the tournament.
With this triumph, Portugal have become the first nation to win the UEFA Nations League twice since the competition’s inception in 2018, once again asserting their place among Europe’s elite.
