June 9, 2025 – Portugal is the first country to be a double winner of the UEFA Nations League after defeating Spain 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 extra-time result at Munich’s Allianz Arena on June 8, 2025. The final, which had been branded as the clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and young Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal, proved to be endurance and strength test for Portugal, with Nuno Mendes and Diogo Costa being game-changers in a thrilling match that captivated European football supporters.
A High-Stakes Iberian Face-Off
The 2025 UEFA Nations League final was a face-off of two European giants, with Portugal and Spain facing off to be the first two-time UEFA Nations League winners. Portugal, the first 2019 UEFA Nations League champions, faced a battle-hardened Spain squad, the 2023 champions, with an impressive record of being unbeaten in their last 10 Nations League away matches. The match, in front of 65,852 supporters at the Allianz Arena, was lived up to its billing as an electric contest, the two teams trading blows in a game that lasted until the very end.
Spain broke the deadlock after 21 minutes when Martín Zubimendi tapped home after a Lamine Yamal cross, as Portugal were unable to clear their lines. Portugal responded rapidly, with Nuno Mendes scoring an equalizer in the 26th minute from a Ronaldo setup. Spain regained their lead on the stroke of halftime on Mikel Oyarzabal’s classy finish, following a teensy Pedri pass, to leave it 2-1. Portugal’s turn-around came in the 61st minute when Ronaldo volleyed his 138th goal at international level, making the score 2-2 and taking the game into extra time.
Penalty Shootout Drama
Following a goalless extra period, both teams had chances but lacked that killer punch, the match went to penalties. Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa was the hero, denying Álvaro Morata’s penalty, as Rúben Neves sealed it with a composed penalty, winning 5-3 in the shootouts. Nuno Mendes, also scorer of the penalty goal of supreme beauty, was Player of the Match for his attacking and defensive performances, including holding at bay Spain’s threat man Lamine Yamal. X posts were celebrating Mendes’ performance, with fans deeming him the “MOTM” and boasting about him being capable of “shutting down Yamal.”
Ronaldo, substituted in the 88th minute due to a muscle strain, watched from the stands but was overwhelmed with emotion after the win, tears of joy streaming down as he won his third international title (Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles). Even with all the pre-match build-up around Ronaldo vs. Yamal, however, the team effort of Portugal overall stole the show, with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and João Neves also impressing.
Portugal’s Route to Glory
With manager Roberto Martínez, Portugal demonstrated determination in the competition. They had beaten their opening three League A games, like a beating of Poland 5-1, and defeated Denmark in an extra-time 5-3 aggregate quarter-final win. For the semi-finals, they defeated hosts Germany 2-1, with Ronaldo scoring the winner—his first senior-career goal against Germany. The match was a demonstration of Portugal’s depth, as substitutes like Rafael Leão and Diogo Jota pushed for the late equalizer prior to the shootout
Spain, led by Luis de la Fuente, were also tough rivals, fresh from a 5-4 semi-final thriller against France where Yamal netted two goals. Although Spain lost the game, they were so deep, with Pedri, Zubimendi, and Oyarzabal having played great games. Oyarzabal’s goal in the final was his third for Spain in major finals, though Morata’s penalty miss was a disappointment.
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