Ronaldo hailed as Portugal win Nations League title with shoot-out success over Spain

MUNICH – Cristiano Ronaldo’s coach and teammates praised his leadership after he led Portugal to their second Nations League crown by beating holders Spain 5-3 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra time in the final on June 8.

Portugal twice fell behind in Munich, but twice came back, with Ronaldo scoring the second equaliser. He also bagged the winner in his side’s semi-final victory over hosts Germany. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has now scored 138 goals in 221 appearances since making his debut for Portugal in 2003.

“A captain with the type of experience he has is essential, to show the necessary values and personality. Spain was ahead on the scoreboard twice, but the captain has a lot of experience and we used his experience to show we are ready to win,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez.

Fullback Nuno Mendes, who scored Portugal’s first, set up Ronaldo’s goal and converted a penalty in the shoot-out, praised the 40-year-old’s impact.

“He deserves everything. He helps us a lot on the pitch and off it. He’s got a winner mentality. He’s a role model. We’re happy we’ve got him,” said Mendes, who won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain on the same ground eight days earlier and was named Man of the Match against Spain.

Ronaldo was subbed off with what looked like cramp and, while on the sidelines, he could not watch the final penalty, burying his face in a teammate’s back. Once Ruben Neves converted, the veteran striker fell to his knees and was embraced by players and staff.

“Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It’s tears. It’s duty done and a lot of joy,” Ronaldo told Sport TV.

Portugal’s only other win over Spain in a competitive fixture was a 1-0 victory which booted the Spaniards out of Euro 2004, with a 19-year-old Ronaldo on the left wing.

Portugal became the first two-time winners of the Nations League, launched in 2018. It was their third major title, along with Euro 2016.

Spain’s exhilarating 5-4 victory over France in the semi-final on June 5 ensured Luis de la Fuente’s side had continued an unbeaten run that stretched back to March 2023 coming into the showpiece final on June 8.

They appeared on course for yet another trophy, on the back of their Euro 2024 triumph, as midfielder Martin Zubimendi tapped home his second international goal in the 21st minute, after forward Lamine Yamal’s chip from outside the box caused confusion in the Portugal box.

The goal was just rewards for Spain’s early dominance, but Portugal hit back almost immediately. Mendes, put through by forward Pedro Neto, drilled a low shot across the goal that went in for the equaliser.

Just before half-time, Spain picked Portugal’s pocket in their own half before advancing. Midfielder Pedri linked with striker Mikel Oyarzabal, who threaded the ball past goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Oyarzabal’s goal meant he has scored in three international finals – against England at Euro 2024, which Spain won, and the 2021 and 2025 Nations Leagues, which Spain lost.

Ronaldo had done little other than encourage the predominantly Portuguese crowd at the Allianz Arena until that point but would pick his moment to strike.

With 61 minutes gone, Mendes shed a defender and whipped in a cross. The ball took a deflection and Ronaldo outmuscled fullback Marc Cucurella before lashing a volley home.

The goal was Ronaldo’s fourth in 10 matches against Spain – the previous three all coming in a wild 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup.

Limping towards the end of regulation time, Ronaldo fell to the turf with three minutes left and signalled to the bench that his night was over.

Spain may have been confident when the match went to extra time, having won on penalties in 2023, but veteran striker Alvaro Morata missed while Portugal were faultless – Neves stepping up and converting to send his teammates, including a hobbling Ronaldo, streaming onto the pitch.

“Our fighting spirit and togetherness were decisive today. When we stay together like this, we’re very difficult to beat,” midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who converted his penalty, told RTL. AFP, REUTERS