Portugal UEFA Nations League champions 2025 after 2-2 draw and beating Spain on penalties | OneFootball

They did it! The Seleção have brought that winning feeling back to Portuguese football by conquering the Nations League trophy for the second time in their history.

In a tightly contested final favourites Spain twice took the lead in the first half through Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal.

But – just like against Germany in the semi-final – Portugal showed tremendous grit to come back into the game, equalising first through man-of-the-match Nuno Mendes and then captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

The game went into extra time and no further goals were scored meaning a penalty shootout. The first eight were scored, then Diogo Costa saved from Álvaro Morata leaving it to Rúben Neves to nervelessly smash in the winning spot kick and send the Portugal fans into dreamland.

Tom Kundert reports the Allianz Arena, Munich.

Double changes

Roberto Martínez made two changes in relation to the starting lineup that beat Germany on Wednesday. Francisco Conceição was rewarded for his stunning display off the bench with a starting berth and Vitinha came in for Rúben Neves. João Neves again began at right-back.

Spain also made two changes, Óscar Mingueza and Fabián Ruiz coming in for Pedro Porro and Mikel Merino.

Portugal were first to threaten, João Neves with a shooting opportunity from a corner that bounced narrowly wide.

The left wingers on both sides of the pitch were looking lively, Pedro Neto asking questions of the Spanish with his driving runs down the flank, and the Nico Williams was seeing more of the ball and proving even more effective, giving adapted right-back João Neves a tough time.

Williams the dangerman

Williams set up a good chance from Pedri, the Barcelona midfielder side-footing his effort wide from the edge of the box. Williams was at it again soon after, controlling a difficult ball cleverly with his head, cutting inside and curling an effort just over the bar.

Midway through the first half Spain took the lead. Lamine Yamal had been kept quiet but when he crossed into the box a lack of coordination between Diogo Costa and João Neves saw the latter inadvertently lay on a perfect assist for Martin Zubimendi. After a VAR check for offside the goal stood.

Mendes steps up

Less than five minutes later and Portugal gave the perfect reaction to falling behind. Pedro Neto released Nuno Mendes, the left-back powering into the box and smashing a brilliant low angled shot into the net. Another VAR check, again the goal confirmed and it was 1-1!

The game then went into something of a lull. Just as it seemed the teams would go into the break level, Spain struck again.

Roberto Martínez had warned against Spain’s danger on the counter-attack and his concerns were borne out as the Oyarzabal scored from the smoothest of Pedri assists after a devastating break.

The Portugal coach made two changes at half time, bringing on Nélson Semedo and Rúben Neves for João Neves and Conceição. Bruno Fernandes had the ball in the net in the 48th minute but it was ruled out for offside in the buildup.

Spain were next to threaten Fabián Ruiz hitting a powerful shot but straight at Costa who showed safe hands.

Ronaldo equalises

On the hour mark Portugal levelled and that man Nuno Mendes was again at the heart of it. The PSG full-back showed two Spain defenders a clean pair of heels and his deflected cross was expertly steered into the net by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Not content with his attacking input (a goal and an assist) Mendes then showed his defensive attributes with a superbly timed interception to deny Pedri.

Martínez made two more changes, Renato Veiga and Rafael Leão entering the fray, with Gonçalo Inácio and Bernardo Silva making way. For Spain Isco and Mikel Merino came on for Pedri and Ruiz.

Initially it was Isco who had the most impact, the Real Betis midfielder busily probing away at Portugal’s defence and so nearly giving Spain the lead for a third time, his long-range effort brilliantly tipped over the bar by Diogo Costa at full stretch.

As the clock ticked down Ronaldo came off, replaced by Gonçalo Ramos, and shortly afterwards the referee blew his whistle to signal 30 minutes of extra time.

Mendes on fire

Mendes was still full of energy, yet another lung-busting run and cross setting up a chance for Semedo but the Wolves man scuffed his shot wide from close range.

Pedro Porro came on for Spain and kept Costa alert with an audacious attempt from close to the halfway line that had the Porto goalkeeper scurrying back in a panic.

The indefatigable Mendes was still at it, a lightning run into the box ended by a desperate tackle, with Mendes claiming a penalty, but the referee wasn’t interested.

Spain wrested back control and got on top in the final 15 minutes of extra time, yet it Portugal who fashioned the last chance of the game, Diogo Jota heading a Rúben Dias cross narrowly over the bar.

Perfect Portuguese penalties

The final drama of the night was reserved for penalties, bringing back memories of Portugal’s painful semi-final loss at Euro 2012 against the Spanish in a penalty shootout.

Thanks to five expertly taken penalties by Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and Rúben Neves, alongside Diogo Costa’s save, this time to outcome was different.

Portugal fans who made the trip will be celebrating long and hard into the Munich night. As for the bigger picture, the manner of the victory, beating two powerhouses of European football in quick succession, will also give the Seleção a huge confidence boost ahead of next year’s Word Cup.

Portugal: Diogo Costa, João Neves, Gonçalo Inácio, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Francisco Conceição, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo