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Home » Portugal win Nations League with penalty shootout victory over Spain – UK Times
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Portugal win Nations League with penalty shootout victory over Spain – UK Times

By uk-times.com8 June 2025No Comments4 Mins Read
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Diogo Costa was the shootout hero as Portugal won the Nations League by defeating defending champions Spain 5-3 on penalties after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 in Munich.

Porto goalkeeper Costa denied Alvaro Morata from the spot before Ruben Neves slammed home the next kick to seal glory for Roberto Martinez’s men.

Talk of the first meeting between 40-year-old Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and 17-year-old Spain winger Lamine Yamal dominated the build-up to the Allianz Arena showdown.

Ronaldo’s 61st-minute equaliser forced extra time but both players had been substituted by the time an absorbing contest was decided from 12 yards.

Mikel Oyarzabal had earlier given Spain a half-time lead after the opening goal from his Real Sociedad team-mate Martin Zubimendi was cancelled out by impressive Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes.

Portugal celebrated a second Nations League triumph, having won the inaugural tournament in 2019, with Ronaldo pictured in tears following the shootout.

Goals seemed extremely likely in Bavaria, with Euro 2024 winners Spain having reached the final with a thrilling 5-4 win over France, while Portugal came from behind to beat Germany 2-1.

Martin Zubimendi scored the opening goal for Spain

Martin Zubimendi scored the opening goal for Spain (EPA)
Nuno Mendes equalised just four minutes later

Nuno Mendes equalised just four minutes later (Reuters)

Pedri and Nico Williams each threatened before Luis de la Fuente’s side capitalised on their early ascendancy with a scrappy 21st-minute opener.

Oyarzabal sparked the attack with a delightful flick in midfield and, after Portugal goalkeeper Costa and defenders Ruben Dias and Joao Neves made a mess of dealing with Yamal’s delivery into the box, Zubimendi was on hand for a simple finish into the unguarded net.

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Portugal trailed for just four minutes.

Marauding left-back Mendes – fresh from his Champions League triumph with Paris St Germain – claimed the leveller, bursting into the box beyond Oscar Mingueza to blast an angled drive into the bottom right corner for his first international goal.

Mikel Oyarzabal sent Spain back in front just before half time

Mikel Oyarzabal sent Spain back in front just before half time (Reuters)
Cristiano Ronaldo equalised just after the hour mark

Cristiano Ronaldo equalised just after the hour mark (EPA)

Martinez’s side enjoyed increased possession and were largely subduing Spain before falling behind again in the final minute of the half.

With Portuguese players appealing for a foul on Bernardo Silva by Robin Le Normand, Pedri drove forward and poked the ball through for Oyarzabal – who scored the winner in last summer’s European Championship final against England – to divert an instinctive, first-time finish past Costa.

Bruno Fernandes briefly thought he had levelled four minutes into the second period but Pedro Neto was offside before providing the assist.

A second equaliser of the evening eventually arrived with 29 minutes to go.

Diogo Costa denied Alvaro Morata during the penalty shootout

Diogo Costa denied Alvaro Morata during the penalty shootout (EPA)
Portugal became the first team to win the Nations League twice having done so in 2019 as well

Portugal became the first team to win the Nations League twice having done so in 2019 as well (Getty)

Mendes breezed past Yamal on Portugal’s left and, after his low cross looped up off Le Normand, Ronaldo held off Marc Cucurella to volley home his 138th goal for his country.

With the clock ticking towards an additional half an hour, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner limped off two minutes from time to be replaced by Goncalo Ramos.

Portugal substitute Nelson Semedo scuffed wide early in extra time, while tempers threatened to boil over during a brief flashpoint after Mendes went down in Spain’s box under a challenge from Alex Baena.

Yamal was withdrawn ahead of a cagey second period of extra time before Portugal held their nerve to prevail on spot-kicks, with Spain substitute Morata the only man to miss.

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