Ronaldo's tears of joy as Portugal claim Nations League glory

2 weeks ago
Ronaldo's tears of joy as Portugal claim Nations League glory

Portugal claimed their second Nations League title in dramatic fashion, defeating arch-rivals Spain 4-2 in a penalty shootout after an intense 2-2 draw in Munich's Allianz Arena.

Match Highlights

The final delivered non-stop action from start to finish:

  • 21': Spain took the lead through Martin Zubimendi's close-range finish
  • 26': Nuno Mendes equalized with a powerful low drive
  • 45': Mikel Oyarzabal restored Spain's advantage before halftime
  • 61': Cristiano Ronaldo leveled with his 138th international goal

Penalty Shootout Drama

The decisive moments came from the spot:

  • Portugal converted all four penalties (Ramos, Vitinha, Fernandes, Mendes)
  • Diogo Costa saved Álvaro Morata's crucial penalty
  • Rúben Neves scored the winning penalty to seal victory

Ronaldo's Emotional Night

The 40-year-old superstar experienced a rollercoaster of emotions:

  • Scored the crucial equalizer in regular time
  • Substituted before extra time
  • Overcome with joy during the penalty shootout
  • Lifted the trophy amid emotional celebrations

Historic Achievement

Portugal made history by becoming:

  • The first nation to win two Nations League titles
  • The team to deny Spain a chance at matching this record

The victory marks another milestone in Portugal's golden generation, while Spain will rue missed opportunities in their quest for back-to-back Nations League triumphs.

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