Ronaldo Shines as Portugal Beat Spain in Epic UEFA Final!
CR7 vs. Yamal was the story before the final, but Portugal’s collective quality prevailed over Spain’s impressive young talent.
The thrilling UEFA Nations League 2025 Final in Munich saw Portugal and Spain battle to a 2-2 draw. In the end, Portugal triumphed 5-3 in the penalty shootout. Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa made a brilliant save against Álvaro Morata’s kick, opening the door for victory. Rúben Neves sealed the win with the decisive penalty, giving Portugal their second Nations League title.
Cristiano Ronaldo had to leave the pitch in the final minutes due to a minor injury, but he returned to the field for the celebrations and broke into tears, overcome with emotion. This was Ronaldo’s third international title — after winning Euro 2016 and the first Nations League. He also scored his 138th international goal in this match, extending his world record.
On the other side, 17-year-old Spanish star Lamine Yamal had a memorable night despite not playing. He was seen consoling teammates, especially Morata, after the shootout loss. This defeat, following Spain’s Euro 2024 win, won’t dampen Yamal’s spirits. He’s expected to shine even brighter at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ronaldo and Yamal represent contrasting stories — one a legend, the other a rising star. Yet both teams proved they are more than just their star forwards.
Key Performers of the Match:
- Nuno Mendes: The PSG left-back was the most influential player of the night. He outplayed Yamal, scored the opening goal, and later delivered the cross for Ronaldo’s goal.
- Vitinha & Bruno Fernandes: Anchored Portugal’s midfield with composure and creativity under pressure.
- Martín Zubimendi: Scored Spain’s first goal and dominated midfield. He’s expected to complete a £51 million move from Real Sociedad to Arsenal.
- Mikel Oyarzabal: The loyal Real Sociedad forward scored Spain’s second goal. A clinical finisher, he has now scored in three major finals for Spain.
- Dean Huijsen & Robin Le Normand: Solid in Spain’s defense, offering stability and control.
- Rúben Dias: Back to his best, he led Portugal’s defense confidently.
Goalkeeper Spotlight:
- Diogo Costa made the key penalty save and was a strong contender for Man of the Match.
- Unai Simón also made top-level saves and remains a valuable asset for Spain.
This match served as a litmus test for both nations ahead of the 2026 World Cup — and both passed with flying colors. Ronaldo, even at 41, showed he can still score against elite sides. Yamal, at just 17, continues to establish himself on the international stage.
Conclusion: Both Spain and Portugal possess not only history but also the squad depth and confidence for future glory. Portugal’s triumph in the Nations League is commendable — and Spain, despite the loss, has shown growth and potential that promises more in the years ahead.
Portugal won their second Nations League final after beating Iberian neighbours Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.
Portugal became the first team to win the UEFA Nations League on two occasions after beating Spain 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the final at the Munich Football Arena.
Key moments
5′ João Neves narrowly strikes wide
15′ Pedri side-foots just past post
21′ Zubimendi taps in Spain opener
26′ Nuno Mendes rifles home equaliser
45′ Oyarzabal clips in from Pedri pass
61′ Ronaldo volleys Portugal level again
Pens Diogo Costa saves from Morata
Match in brief: Portugal come back twice then hold nerve in shoot-out
Both teams were involved in entertaining and pulsating semi-finals and this decider simply picked up where those left off. João Neves went close for Portugal early on while Pedri and Nico Williams narrowly missed the target in a captivating opening 20 minutes. An opening goal felt inevitable.
It was Spain who made the breakthrough, Martin Zubimendi tapping in after Roberto Martínez’s men twice failed to adequately clear a teasing Lamine Yamal cross. The 17-year-old Yamal had been well shackled in a fascinating duel with Nuno Mendes to that point and the Portugal full-back responded with a brilliant equaliser. Receiving Pedro Neto’s pass 20 metres out, Nuno Mendes surged away from Oscar Mingueza and drilled his finish across Unai Simón for his first international goal.
Luis de la Fuente’s side were unruffled and responded on the stroke of half-time in a way befitting of a team unbeaten in 24 competitive matches. This time Pedri was the architect, advancing menacingly before playing a perfectly-weighted through ball that Mikel Oyarzabal expertly clipped past the onrushing Diogo Costa.
The half-time introductions of Rúben Neves and Nélson Semedo solidified the Seleção and they drew level again through Cristiano Ronaldo’s eighth strike of this Nations League campaign. Nuno Mendes was at the heart of the action once more, darting past Yamal before his deflected cross found Ronaldo, who held off Marc Cucurella to volley in from close range – his 138th international goal.
Portugal’s all-time top scorer limped off towards the end of normal time but they then created the first serious opening of extra time when Nélson Semedo scuffed wide. The Seleção’s tails were up, with substitute Rafael Leão spearheading their pursuit of a winning goal, but Diogo Jota’s late header over was as close as they came.
And so to penalties where the first seven found the net before Álvaro Morata was thwarted by Diogo Costa, allowing Rúben Neves to drive in the decisive spot kick.
Player of the Match: Nuno Mendes (Portugal)
“Nuno Mendes was incredible offensively and defensively during the tournament. He scored in the final and made an assist in the semi-final on top of this.”
UEFA Technical Observer Panel
Carlos Machado, Portugal reporter
Portugal win! The Seleção knew how to suffer and managed to prevail against Spain to win the Nations League for the second time. They came from the break focused on changing the game and, after equalising through Ronaldo, they prevented a more dominating Spain from hurting them.
Graham Hunter, Spain reporter
Not this time for Spain. No late, dramatic jack-in-the-box moment. History slips through their hands and crosses the border to Portugal. This wasn’t the most effervescent or commanding performance from the European champions, who were too often caught in possession, and too few of their ‘hero players’ were a little under par. Drama, but no delight.
Roberto Martínez, Portugal coach: “When we work for over 30 games, we start to see confidence, resilience, trust, and quality. Quality plus the other values helps you win trophies. We don’t just have a team; we have 16-17 players on the same level, and, as a coach, I have many options and can change concepts. It’s a different team to when I started; we have more character and confidence.”
Nuno Mendes, Player of the Tournament: “We’re very happy for Ronaldo: another title. He helps us on and off the pitch; he gives us a lot of advice. He has a great attitude and winning mentality and is a role model for young people in the national team.”
Luis de la Fuente, Spain coach: “Details do make the difference, and that was a game which I think was super balanced, but when we were coming to the end of the extra time, I thought we were doing enough to avoid going to penalties. Sadly, that’s what decided the match, and they, on the night, were just slightly better and more effective in the shoot-out.”
Marc Cucurella, Spain defender: “There were chances for us to win this before it went to penalties. Maybe, overall, we deserved more. Sometimes football is like this. We need to say congratulations to Portugal. We need to be proud of our work because we reached another final, which is not easy.”
Key stats
- Both nations were vying to be the first to win this competition twice, while Spain competed in a record third successive decider.
- Spain scored 25 goals in ten matches in the 2024/25 Nations League, the most by any team in a single edition of the competition.
- Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player over the age of 40 to play and score in the final. The oldest player to feature previously was Luka Modrić (37 years 282 days vs Spain in 2023).
- Yeremy Pino, Mikel Merino and Unai Simón all made an appearance for Spain in the final of the last three editions of the Nations League (2021, 2023, 2025).
- Bernardo Silva moved level with Gianluigi Donnarumma (26) for the most appearances in the history of the Nations League.
- Mikel Oyarzabal has now scored in the final of the 2021 and 2025 Nations League, and the winner at UEFA EURO 2024.
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s only previous international goals against Spain were in the group stage at the 2018 World Cup when he scored a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw.
Line-ups
Portugal: Diogo Costa; João Neves (Nélson Semedo 46), Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio (Renato Veiga 74), Nuno Mendes; Bernardo Silva (Rafael Leão 74), Vitinha; Francisco Conceição (Rúben Neves 46), Fernandes, Pedro Neto (Diogo Jota 106); Ronaldo (Gonçalo Ramos 88)
Spain: Unai Simón; Mingueza (Pedro Porro 92), Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri (Isco 74), Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz (Merino 74); Yamal (Pino 106), Oyarzabal (Morata 111), Williams (Álex Baena 92)
What happens next?
Both teams will turn their attention back to qualifying for 2026 FIFA World Cup as the European Qualifiers resume in September.
Portugal are in Group F while Spain are in Group E
Cristiano Ronaldo Scores 138th International Goal As Portugal Fight Back Against Spain In Nations League Final
He is 40 years old now, but the predatory skills are sure intact. Cristiano Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to score in the 61st minute and draw Portugal level at 2-2 against Spain in the UEFA Nations League 2024-25 final at the Allianz Arena on Sunday (June 9, 2025). This was Ronaldo’s 138th international goal in his 221st appearance for Portugal. The ‘Selacao’ eventually won the subsequent penalty shoot-out in Munich 5-3, following a goalless 30 minutes of extra time.
The move began with Nuno Mendes dodging Lamine Yamal on the left flank. Mendes’ cross took a deflection and hung in the air, with Ronaldo losing his marker Marc Cucurella to slam the ball in from close range. It was Ronaldo’s eighth goal in nine Nations League matches in this campaign.
The star Portugal forward had earlier said he’s almost certain that he will not be playing at the Club World Cup. He added that he had received “quite a few” offers from participating clubs to play for them at the tournament which starts on June 15, but had decided against accepting any of them.
“Some things make sense to talk about, other things don’t, and, as a person says, you can’t take part in everything,” Ronaldo said. “You have to think about the short, medium and long term. It’s a decision practically made on my part not to go to the Club World Cup, but I’ve had quite a few invitations to go.”
While Ronaldo has chosen not to play in the Club World Cup, his long-time adversary and ‘Greatest Of All Time’ (GOAT) debate rival Lionel Messi will be there. His team Inter Miami will play the opening game of the tournament against Al-Ahly in Miami Gardens, Florida.
👏 Congratulations to @selecaoportugal for winning their second #NationsLeague title! 🇵🇹 https://t.co/7EikVmWXKy
— UEFA (@UEFA) June 8, 2025