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Portugal edge Spain on penalties to clinch Nations League crown

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Portugal edged Spain 5-3 in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout to clinch the UEFA Nations League title on Sunday, capitalizing on Alvaro Morata’s expensive miss from the spot in a ultimate that ended 2-2 after further time.

Cristiano Ronaldo, ever the talisman, saved Portugal alive with a 61st-minute equalizer – his record-extending 138th worldwide aim – forcing the sport into further time after Spain had taken a 2-1 lead into the break.

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (C) reacts after scoring the 2-2 aim in entrance of Spain’s Lamine Yamal (R) throughout the UEFA Nations League ultimate soccer match between Portugal and Spain, Munich, Germany, June 8, 2025. (AFP Photo)

The match started with a flurry of objectives. Spain struck first by Martin Zubimendi within the twenty first minute, slotting dwelling after Portugal didn’t clear a harmful ball from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. But simply 5 minutes later, Portugal hit again. Nuno Mendes blasted a low shot into the far nook, leveling issues 1-1.

Spain regained the benefit proper earlier than halftime. Pedri threaded a intelligent go to Mikel Oyarzabal, who squeezed his shot previous Diogo Costa to present La Roja the sting on the interval.

But Ronaldo, who turned 40 this 12 months, wasn’t completed but. The veteran striker pounced on a free ball simply after the hour mark, hammering dwelling the equalizer and sending the match into an edgy further interval. He left the sphere to a roaring ovation within the 88th minute, sharing an embrace with Portugal coach Roberto Martinez in what felt like a symbolic passing of the torch.

With no winner after 120 minutes, penalties had been inevitable. And when Morata stepped up and missed, Portugal seized the second, changing all 5 of their kicks to elevate the trophy.

Earlier within the day, France secured third place with a 2-0 win over match hosts Germany in Stuttgart. Kylian Mbappe, displaying his class as soon as once more, scored one and assisted the opposite for Michael Olise after a sluggish first half.

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