Portugal clinched an electrifying UEFA Nations League title last night in Munich, defeating Spain 5-3 in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time. Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, scored Portugal’s second goal in the 61st minute – his 138th international strike – before suffering an injury and exiting late in the match. The game featured early Spanish leads from Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal, with Portugal fighting back through Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo. In the shootout, goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Álvaro Morata’s effort, and Rúben Neves calmly converted the decisive penalty, sparking jubilant celebrations.
The victory not only marks Portugal’s second Nations League crown, making them the first nation to hold the trophy twice, but also adds to Ronaldo’s storied international legacy, achieving a third major national team honour alongside Euro 2016 and the inaugural Nations League in 2019. Teary-eyed, Ronaldo described the triumph as a “duty done” and emphasized that nothing compares to winning for Portugal. This win (and trophy) also reinforces Ronaldo’s status as an all-time great on the global stage.
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