Portugal won National League Title after defeat Spain in penalties
Munich (Sunday June 08, 2025) — Reigning European champions Spain face Portugal in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final on Sunday in Munich.
Portugal picked up their second Nations League title after beating holders Spain 5-3 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in the final at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Alvaro Morata’s fourth penalty for Spain, then Ruben Neves converted his team’s fifth to seal the win.
Cristiano Ronaldo had kept Portugal in the game when he equalised in the 61st minute of regular time with his record-extending 138th goal after Mikel Oyarzabal had given Spain a halftime lead. Oyarzabal squeezed the ball past Portugal goalkeeper Costa in the 45th minute after Pedri played him in.
Martin Zubimendi had broken the deadlock in the 21st minute with a tap-in when Portugal’s defence failed to deal with Lamine Yamal’s cross, then Nuno Mendes levelled five minutes later when he drilled a low shot inside the far post.
Earlier, Kylian Mbappe led France to third place with a 2-0 win over host nation Germany in Stuttgart.
Portugal defeated holders Spain 5-3 on penalties after the match was tied 2-2 after extra time, as Ronaldo and his side won the tournament for the second time.
Ronaldo’s 138th international goal took the final to a shootout, with Alvaro Morata’s miss proving costly for Spain as Ruben Neves struck the winning spot kick to spark wild scenes of celebration, with emotion overwhelming the veteran captain.
Spain’s exhilarating 5-4 victory over France in Thursday’s semifinal ensured Luis de la Fuente’s side had continued an unbeaten run that stretched back to March 2023 coming into Sunday’s showpiece final in Munich.
They appeared on course for yet another trophy, on the back of last year’s European Championship triumph, as Martin Zubimendi tapped home his second international goal in the 21st minute.
The holders’ lead did not last long, however, as flying Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes slotted home the equaliser after good work from Ronaldo in the build-up.
A sublime pass from midfielder Pedri helped Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted the winner against England in last year’s European Championship final, to restore Spain’s lead before the break.
The football tussle between the Iberian neighbours was billed as a clash between old and new – 40-year-old and five-times Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.
While Yamal, among the favourites to take home one of the most prestigious individual awards this year, struggled to make inroads, Ronaldo pounced on his chance, firing Portugal level from close range just past the hour mark.
Ronaldo went off injured late on and neither side could find a winner in extra time, with the game going to a shootout and Portugal netting all five of their penalties to claim the trophy.
Coach Roberto Martinez leads them to the stage as the players receive their winners’ medals from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.
Ronaldo, the captain, takes the trophy and lifts it aloft, as confetti explodes in the background. Portugal’s players are jumping in joy!
That’s two UEFA Nations League trophies (2019, 2025) and the European Championship in 2016.
He also played a significant role in Portugal’s victory tonight, scoring the all-important equaliser in the second half, which forced the contest into extra time and, eventually, penalties.
The man, from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district in Bavaria, fell from the middle tier into the lower tier and then on to a staircase in the media area at the Allianz Arena.
He died at the scene from his injuries.
Munich police are investigating but said there was “no evidence to suggest foul play”.
Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties after the game finished 2-2.
Portugal predicted lineup vs Spain (4-2-3-1): Costa; Semedo, Dias, Inácio, Mendes; Vitinha, J. Neves; B. Silva, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo.
Spain predicted lineup vs. Portugal (4-3-3): Simón; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams.
Given they are European champions and the most convincing side on the continent right now, it’s hard to look past Spain edging the final.
