Portugal won their second UEFA Nations League title after a dramatic 5-3 victory on penalties against Spain in Munich. The final ended 2-2 after extra time, with Ruben Neves scoring the decisive spot kick and Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing a vital equaliser during normal play.
Spain took the lead in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi capitalised on poor defending and smashed the ball home. Portugal responded just five minutes later as Nuno Mendes slotted a low shot past the Spanish goalkeeper, finishing off a slick move from Pedro Neto.
Just before halftime, Spain pounced on a loose ball in midfield. Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal combined for a tidy finish, with Oyarzabal continuing his record of scoring in major finals. But Portugal struck again in the 61st minute. Mendes delivered a deflected cross, and Ronaldo reacted quickly, muscling past Marc Cucurella and volleying the ball into the net.
That goal marked Ronaldo’s fourth strike in ten appearances against Spain. It followed his match-winner in the semifinal against Germany. He later limped off with a cramp in the closing stages of regulation time.
Extra time offered no goals, but Portugal looked sharper and more dangerous. In the shootout, both teams scored their first three penalties. Mendes converted Portugal’s fourth. Then came the turning point—Álvaro Morata hit his penalty straight at Diogo Costa. Neves stepped up calmly and struck the final blow, sending Portugal’s fans into celebration.
This win marks Portugal’s third major international title after their Euro 2016 and 2019 Nations League victories. It also stands as only their second competitive win over Spain, the first coming in Euro 2004 when a 19-year-old Ronaldo helped secure a 1-0 result.
Portugal now holds the distinction of being the first nation to win the Nations League twice since the competition began in 2018.
