The Voice News: Portugal celebrate with the Nations League trophy after a dramatic final victory.
Everything you’d expect from a high-stakes final was on display—intensity, excitement, and drama. The match ended 2-2 in regulation time, and even after extra time, the deadlock remained. Eventually, Portugal had the last laugh in the tiebreaker, defeating defending champions Spain 5-3 in the penalty shootout to claim the Nations League title. With this win, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team became the first nation to win the Nations League twice.
Ronaldo played a key role in keeping his team in the game by scoring the equalizer during regulation time. Spain had taken a 2-1 lead up to the 60th minute, but the Portuguese captain levelled the score in the very next minute—netting his 138th international goal.
The match moved into penalties, where Portugal converted all five of their spot-kicks. Spain, however, suffered due to a crucial miss by forward Álvaro Morata.
Spain, the 2023 Nations League champions, struck first in the 21st minute. Portugal failed to clear the ball from their line, allowing Martín Zubimendi to tap in the opener. But their lead didn’t last long—five minutes later, Nuno Mendes fired a low diagonal shot into the far corner to make it 1-1. Just before halftime, in the 45th minute, Mikel Oyarzabal restored Spain’s lead.
But the comfort of that lead was short-lived, as Ronaldo once again changed the momentum in the second half. In the 61st minute, he volleyed in a deflected cross from Mendes from close range, sealing the equalizer and potentially shifting the fate of the match.
At 40 years old, CR7 not only inspired his team but also played the role of savior. However, he could not complete the match—leaving the field injured just before extra time. Despite his absence on the pitch, Portugal kept their nerve. In the shootout, Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, and Rúben Neves all found the net for Portugal.
After Spain’s Morata saw his spot-kick saved by Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa, Rúben Neves stepped up and scored the decisive final penalty. Watching from the sideline, Ronaldo was overwhelmed with emotion—he sat down by the field and burst into tears of joy.