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Joe Brophy, Senior SEO WriterUpdated: 23:15, 8 Jun 2025Cristiano Ronaldo helped inspire Portugal to twice came from behind to beat Spain on penalties in the Nations League final.
The footballing icon – who scored the winning goal against Germany in the semi-final – bagged his country’s second equaliser against La Roja to seal a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes.
However, Ronaldo then suffered an injury and had to watch as his teammates edged a dramatic shootout to help him lift his third international title, and second Nations League trophy.
La Roja were the reigning champions after beating Croatia on penalties in 2023, but Alvaro Morata’s miss from 12 yards saw them fail to go back-to-back, following five perfect Portuguese kicks.
Spain had twice taken the lead in the first-half, with Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal scoring either side of a Nuno Mendes strike.
Mendes then turned provider for Ronaldo to level things up after an hour, while he also kept Lamine Yamal quiet for long spells.
Ruben Neves then scored the decisive penalty after Morata’s effort was kept out by Diogo Costa.
And that’s it from us!Here’s the image that Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo fans have been waiting for: a second Nations League trophy lift.
Ronaldo failed to contain his emotions after helping Portugal to their third international tournament triumph.
Roberto Martinez’s men beat Spain in a dramatic Nations League final on penalties with the scores level at 2-2 after 120 minutes at the Allianz Arena on Sunday night.
For more coverage, check out talkSPORT.com’s match report below…
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)Ronaldo recreates the iconic image of his 2019 Nations League trophy lift by giving the silverware another fireman’s lift.
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to the last penalty is some viewing!
He buried his head into former Manchester United teammate Diogo Dalot’s shoulder as Ruben Neves stepped up to take.
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)Nuno Mendes is deservedly crowned man-of-the-match!
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)2016 EURO’S! 🏆2019 NATIONS LEAGUE! 🏆2025 NATIONS LEAGUE! 🏆
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)Portugal attempted 7 shots in this game, their lowest total in a single match in the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League.
Spain attempted 812 passes in this game, their highest total in a single match in the 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League.
Not that it matters at the end of a penalty shootout…
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)A moment that will haunt Morata – whose spot-kick was at a nice height for Costa to make a flying save.
Interestingly, the Portuguese goalkeeper dived the same way for all four Spanish kicks.
Merino and Baena had both sent him the wrong way, while the warning sign was there after he’d got a hand to Isco’s strike.
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)More from Townsend: “Spain started this game with so much control.
“Portugal found a way on the pitch and through their manager with his substitutes.
“For those reasons, they thoroughly deserve it.”
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 Portugal after pens)Andros Townsend told ITV: “Cristiano Ronaldo 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.”
PORTUGAL WIN THE NATIONS LEAGUE!!Ruben Neves sends Unai Simon the wrong way to spark wild scenes for Portugal, and Cristiano Ronaldo is in floods of tears.
It’s a second Nations League title for Roberto Martinez’s men, as Alvaro Morata is inconsolable!
SAVE! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (4-3)COSTA DENIES MORATA!!!
Desperate moments from the substitute as the much-maligned striker can’t beat Costa from 12 yards.
GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (4-3)NUNO MENDES IS PENALTY PERFECT!
Sums up the PSG man’s night, as he drills it into the top corner despite Simon going the right way.
GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (3-3)ISCO SCORES…JUST!
Costa guesses early and it’s almost third time lucky as he gets a huge hand to Isco’s effort but he can’t keep it out!
GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (3-2)BRUNO FERNANDES PUTS PORTUGAL AHEAD AGAIN!
The Man United captain is unfazed by Simon’s antics on the line as he sends him the wrong way by finding the bottom left corner.
GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (2-2)ALEX BAENA SENDS COSTA THE WRONG WAY!
That’s two for two from Spain, into the bottom right corner – with the Portugese goalkeeper diving the other way.
GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (2-1)NERVES OF STEEL FROM VITINHA!
The PSG man plays a game of cat and mouse with Simon with his run-up, inching towards the ball.
He then speeds himself up at the last moment, and the Spanish goalkeeper can’t react quickly enough despite diving the right way.
GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (1-1)NO MISTAKE FROM MERINO!
The Arsenal man sends Costa the wrong way by drilling it into the far corner to level things up after one penalty each.
GOAL! Portugal 2-2 Spain PENALTIES (1-0)RAMOS BLASTS IT DOWN THE MIDDLE!
He gets Portugal off to the perfect start in the absence of Ronaldo – Simon almost saves it with his trailing leg as he dives, but no dice.
Portugal 2-2 Spain FULL-TIMEThere is no winner after an additional 30 minutes – and we will be heading to a penalty shootout.
No Cristiano Ronaldo or Lamine Yamal on the pitch anymore to take one – they’ve just gotta to hope and pray.
Portugal 2-2 Spain120′ – Merino’s dinked ball intended for Baena almost releases the defender inside the Portuguese box.
But Costa races off his line to nullify the threat – and it seems like, unless there’s a mistake, we will be set for a penalty shootout.
Portugal 2-2 Spain118′ – La Roja won the last Nations League title on penalties, but they’re doing all they can to avoid a shootout this time.
Porro has then chance to stand up several crosses, with Portugal struggling to gain any level of possession.
The Spurs man has sent in a couple in quick succession, intended for Morata, but it’s scrambled away by Dias and then Veiga.
Portugal 2-2 Spain116′ – Isco puts in a cross for Spain, but Yeremy Pino heads over. It’s now Spain who are slowly regaining the impetus.#
Andros Townsend told ITV: “Hell of a ball in from Isco. In towards the back post. Pina a few inches too small.
“He couldn’t get over the top of it and head it down.”
Portugal 2-2 Spain114′ – Ronaldo, meanwhile, has his head in his hands in prayer as the seconds continue to tick down.
This is surely his final chance at winning the Nations League title.
Portugal 2-2 Spain112′ – Yamal is cutting a forlorn figure on the Spanish bench – it’s not often during his career that he has endured a night like this.
Portugal 2-2 Spain110′ – From the spectacular to the stupid, as Porro hacks down Leao and instantly picks up a yellow card.
It’s the only way to stop the AC Milan winger at the moment – his manager, Martinez, is also carded for his reaction.
Meanwhile, Spanish goalscorer Oyarzabal is withdrawn for Morata.
