Portugal’s Nations League Glory: Ronaldo Shines

Cristiano Ronaldo shed tears of triumph as he secured his third international accolade with Portugal - the Nations League crown.
In a riveting finale, they vanquished their historic adversaries, Spain, through a tense penalty shootout.
Ronaldo, withdrawn in the 88th minute, had already made his indelible mark.
Portugal's captain drew the score level at 2-2 in the 61st minute with a precise close-range effort - his 138th goal for his nation, further extending his unmatched record.
This strike marked his eighth in nine Nations League matches this campaign, second only to Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres.
Astonishing for a 40-year-old who has excelled at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for over two years.
For Spain, this loss was their first failure to claim a title since the 2022 World Cup, having dominated the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024.

Portugal's Unyielding Spirit

At times in this tournament - notably their 5-4 semi-final triumph over France - Portugal seemed unstoppable. Yet Ronaldo and his squad halted Spain's charge. Nuno Mendes, Portugal's vibrant full-back, neutralized Spain's young star Lamine Yamal while also scoring a goal.
Ronaldo said: "Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It's tears. It's duty done and a lot of joy."

Ronaldo Outshines Yamal

"When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that's not how it works. The media always try to hype things up, which is a normal thing, but it's one team versus another" 

Ronaldo stated before the match, addressing the much-discussed matchup with Spain's 17-year-old prodigy, Lamine Yamal.
Yet Ronaldo prevailed, netting the 938th goal of his storied career with a sharp finish from Mendes' deflected cross.
Former England midfielder Andros Townsend on ITV said:

"This is why Cristiano Ronaldo is on the football pitch. He is a predator in the box. He knows where the ball is going to go. Good contact when it comes to him. People have written him off time and time again but he played his part tonight. He more than played his part in the semi-final. He has proven he can still make a difference at the highest level."

ITV pundit Karen Carney added: 

"Ronaldo's eyes lit up. 'Who else? Me.' When you turn 30 everyone calls you old in football. This guy is 40 and he is constant defying us."

With just 22 touches, Ronaldo tracked back diligently, even dispossessing Yamal. Spain's winger, who netted twice against France in the semi-final, struggled, managing four long-range shots and coaxing two saves from Diogo Costa.

"Yamal will learn tonight. He was completely anonymous. He will have to think of ways of doing this" 

said Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague.

Will Martinez's Job Be Safe?

This victory marks the first international silverware for Portugal's manager, Roberto Martinez, who failed to deliver with Belgium's vaunted golden generation. His last triumph was the 2013 FA Cup with Wigan. For fans who followed the tournament closely, platforms like 1xbit offered opportunities to place bets on such high-stakes matches, adding excitement to Martinez's redemption arc. Could this Nations League success secure his position?
Balague said: 

"The rumour [that he will be sacked] has come from the federation of Portugal. A new president who has not chosen Roberto Martinez. We are reading the new president would like Jorge Jesus or Jose Mourinho to soon be the next manager, but how can you get rid of Roberto Martinez?"

Martinez, appointed in January 2023 after the World Cup, is contracted through the 2026 World Cup.
 

"He has made Ronaldo a regular goalscorer again" 

continued Balague. 

"Ronaldo has a better percentage of goals per game than he has with any other manager. Basically, this just killed whatever plan there was to get rid of him. How can they get rid of him?"

While the Nations League is not the most prestigious competition, it remains one of three major trophies European nations can contest, excluding minor tournaments tied to prior victories.
Carney added: 

"It was more so with the Belgium national team, going from that golden generation and going to this one - what's going to be different? There is something special about him. The players and Ronaldo have reacted positively to him. He will be judged, after this, at the World Cup. It would be terrible if he is replaced."

Mendes Commands Attention

Portugal's left-back Nuno Mendes, alongside midfielders Joao Neves and Vitinha, and striker Goncalo Ramos, rejoiced at Munich's Allianz Arena for the second time in eight days, having claimed the Champions League with Paris St-Germain at the same venue.
Mendes earned man-of-the-match honors for his exceptional display. UEFA's technical observers praised: 

"He was incredible, both in attack and defensively during the tournament. He scored in the final, also providing an assist in the semi-final."

The 22-year-old dazzled on the left, largely containing Yamal, scoring Portugal's first equalizer with a pinpoint low strike, and leading with four successful dribbles, more touches in Spain's box, and seven duels won - equaling any teammate. He also delivered 16 passes into the final third and won five tackles, surpassing all others.
Carney enthused: 

"You love seeing him burst forward, but ultimately he has a defensive responsibility. A few players will be looking - 'how do I get past him?' But he is the complete [defender]. What a joy to have in your team."

Balague added: 

"He's been fantastic - top 10 Ballon d'Or. He has been superb. Lamine Yamal, in Nuno Mendes, has found his nemesis."

CRY-STIANO Portugal 2 Spain 2 (5-3 pens): Tearful Ronaldo 40 Secures Third International Honor

In a thrilling Nations League final, Portugal clinched their second title, with Cristiano Ronaldo shining and Spain's Alvaro Morata faltering. Ronaldo, sidelined by injury, missed the shootout, but Portugal triumphed as Morata's penalty miss allowed Ruben Neves to seal the victory.

Portugal's Dramatic Victory

Following their 2019 Nations League success, Martinez's men prevailed again in Munich, twice rallying to draw 2-2 against Euro 2024 champions Spain.
Ronaldo's astute 61st-minute volley - his 938th career goal and 138th for Portugal - tied the score, though he watched the penalties from the bench alongside Yamal.
Morata's missed spot-kick paved the way for Neves' decisive strike. Both nations vied to be the first to claim the Nations League twice.
The match ignited with Nico Williams' curling shot skimming the bar after 17 minutes. Four minutes later, Spain took the lead, Yamal's sublime cross exposing Portugal's defense, allowing Martin Zubimendi to net his second international goal.
Portugal responded swiftly, Mendes drilling a low shot into the corner in the 26th minute after a VAR-confirmed onside run by Ronaldo.

Spain's Rally Portugal's Grit

Spain regained the lead in first-half stoppage time, Pedri's exquisite reverse pass setting up Mikel Oyarzabal - England's Euro 2024 final tormentor - for another vital goal.
Martinez introduced Neves and Nelson Semedo at halftime, nearly yielding immediate results as Bruno Fernandes' 49th-minute strike was ruled out for offside.
Ronaldo's equalizer arrived, pouncing on a deflected cross that outfoxed Marc Cucurella, marking his eighth Nations League goal this campaign.
He limped off in the 88th minute with a muscular issue, while Yamal exited in the 106th minute amid a contentious extra time, marked by a VAR-reviewed scuffle.
Portugal's penalty takers - Ramos, Vitinha, Fernandes, and Mendes - converted, with Neves delivering the clinching blow.

Portugal Sink Spain in Shootout to Win Nations League Crown

As the penalty shootout loomed, Ronaldo, exhausted and substituted, leaned on his teammates, unable to watch. His 61st-minute goal had forced the draw, but now, from the touchline, he heard the roar as Neves' penalty secured Portugal's second Nations League title in Munich.

A Night of Heroes

Goals from Zubimendi, Mendes, and Oyarzabal had given Spain a 2-1 lead before Ronaldo's 2-2 strike. An hour later, Morata's missed penalty and Neves' precise finish clinched a 5-3 shootout victory, earning Ronaldo his 34th career trophy at 40. Smiling, he playfully noted the trophy's weight before lifting it with his teammates.
Framed as a clash of generations between Ronaldo and Yamal, the veteran prevailed, though the spotlight also fell on Oyarzabal, Zubimendi, Mendes, Rafael Leao, and goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who thwarted Morata.
Spain's coach, Luis de la Fuente, rallied his squad. Victors in the 2023 Nations League and Euro 2024, they fell short of a third consecutive trophy but departed with pride.
Spain began brightly, with Yamal drawing fouls that underscored his danger. A long diagonal from Dean Huijsen enabled Williams to set up Pedri, whose shot narrowly missed. Williams himself curled a shot just over.
Yet Spain's opener came centrally, Oyarzabal's deft touch freeing Zubimendi, whose interplay with Yamal exploited a Portuguese error, allowing Zubimendi to tap in. Mendes answered with a fierce low shot, but Oyarzabal restored Spain's lead, converting Pedri's incisive pass.

Ronaldo's Enduring Brilliance

Ronaldo's presence persists. When Mendes' deflected cross looped over Cucurella, Ronaldo struck, volleying in his 134th international goal, gesturing emphatically to the crowd. Spain, previously commanding, lost their grip, with Fabian Ruiz and Pedri's exits diminishing their control.
Martinez's substitutions, notably Leao, shifted the tide. Unai Simon denied Fernandes' late free-kick, and in extra time, Mendes set up Semedo for a glaring miss. Diogo Jota headed over in the final seconds, but Portugal's moment arrived in the shootout.