Portugal, Ronaldo lift second UEFA Nations League title with penalty-shootout win vs Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo broke down into tears as he watched Portugal become the first nation to win the UEFA Nations League twice
- MUNICH — Cristiano Ronaldo broke down into tears as he watched Portugal
become the first nation to win the UEFA Nations League twice, edging Spain 5-3
on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw in Munich. The Portuguese striker
scored his side’s second equaliser before having to go off the field with an
injury.
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- In a frenetic final, both sides showed attacking intent
from the outset. João Neves fired narrowly wide inside five minutes, while
Spain responded with near misses from Pedri and Nico Williams. The breakthrough
came in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi tapped home after Portugal failed
to clear Lamine Yamal’s cross.
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- Portugal hit back quickly. Nuno Mendes, engaged in a
fascinating duel with Yamal, surged past Oscar Mingueza and rifled home his
first international goal just five minutes later to restore parity.
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- Spain regained the lead on the stroke of half-time
through Mikel Oyarzabal, who latched onto Pedri’s perfectly-timed pass and
clipped a composed finish beyond Diogo Costa to make it 2-1.
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- The second half saw Portugal grow into the game following
the introduction of Rúben Neves and Nelson Semedo. Their pressure paid off just
after the hour mark when Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring his 938th career goal,
volleyed in Nuno Mendes’ deflected cross to level the scores again at 2-2.
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- Despite Ronaldo limping off late in regulation time,
Portugal pressed in extra time. Semedo scuffed a good chance wide, and Rafael
Leao’s pace troubled Spain’s defence. Diogo Jota’s late header was the closest
either side came to a winner.
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- The drama continued into the penalty shoot-out. Both
sides converted their first three spot-kicks before Diogo Costa dived to his
right to deny Álvaro Morata. Ruben Neves then stepped up and smashed in the
decisive penalty to secure Portugal's second Nations League title.
