Portugal edge out Spain in shootout to win Nations league 2025 , Ronaldo outshines Yamal

 



Cristiano Ronaldo, at 40, proved that age is just a number as he led Portugal to a dramatic victory over Spain in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday in Munich. The match ended 2-2 after regulation time and extra time, but Portugal clinched the title with a 5-3 win in the penalty shootout. This marks Portugal’s second Nations League triumph, with Ronaldo once again playing a pivotal role.

Spain entered the final on the back of a 5-4 semi-final win over France, while Portugal had overcome host nation Germany in their last-four clash. Much of the pre-match spotlight was on the midfield battle and the symbolic duel between the youthful brilliance of Spain’s Lamine Yamal and the enduring legacy of Ronaldo. In the end, it was Ronaldo who had the last laugh.

Though Yamal assisted a goal early in the match, he remained largely anonymous for the rest of the game. Ronaldo, on the other hand, played until the 87th minute, scoring once and contributing to another goal. He also showed sharp defensive awareness, dispossessing Yamal on several occasions.

Spain opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Mikel Oyarzabal. The move began with Yamal advancing down the right flank and floating a cross into the box. A failed clearance by Portugal’s Ruben Dias allowed the ball to fall kindly to Oyarzabal, who slotted it past Diogo Costa.

Portugal responded swiftly. Just five minutes later, Pedro Neto made a surging run down the left and found Nuno Mendes in the box. Mendes powered a left-footed strike past Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón to make it 1-1.

Spain intensified their midfield control through Pedri, Yamal, and Oyarzabal. Their efforts paid off just before halftime when Pedri set up Oyarzabal for his second goal, giving Spain a 2-1 lead with a calm right-footed finish.

Portugal came out stronger in the second half. Though Bruno Fernandes had a goal ruled out for offside, they found an equalizer in the 61st minute. Mendes sent in a cross from the left, which deflected off Zubimendi and looped into the path of Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain calmly sidestepped a defender and slotted it home to make it 2-2.

Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation time. Isco came close for Spain, but Diogo Costa made a stunning save to keep Portugal alive. Ronaldo was substituted in the 87th minute by coach Roberto Martínez. Extra time saw frantic end-to-end action, with Spain having a penalty appeal waved off, but neither side could find a breakthrough.

In the penalty shootout, Portugal were flawless. Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, and Rúben Neves all converted their spot kicks. For Spain, Mikel Merino, Álex Baena, and Isco scored, but Álvaro Morata’s attempt was saved by Diogo Costa. Neves buried the final penalty to seal Portugal’s Nations League title.

It was a night where the veteran Ronaldo silenced the hype surrounding Spain’s teenage prodigy and once again etched his name into footballing history.


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