PORTUGAL 2-2 (5-3 pens.) SPAIN: Cristiano Ronaldo and Mikel Oyarzabal stole the headlines in normal time but Ruben Neves proved to be the hero as Portugal secured the Nations League title..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Ronaldo was visibly emotional after Portugal won the Nations League for the second time
Portugal lifted their second Nations League title as they beat Spain via a dramatic penalty shootout in Munich. Ruben Neves scored the winning penalty to leave Cristiano Ronaldo in floods of tears after a thrilling 2-2 draw went the distance.
Portugal initially looked to be in for a long night after Spain dominated the opening portion of the game before Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi gave them a deserved lead. But Ronaldo’s men were not behind for long as Nuno Mendes replied with a brilliant strike to level matters five minutes later.
Mikel Oyarzabal, the match winner in the Euro 2024 final, restored Spain’s lead just before the break with a lethal finish. Bruno Fernandes thought he had hauled his nation back into the game but saw his strike ruled out by an offside flag.
Where the Manchester United man had failed, Cristiano Ronaldo succeeded as he stabbed home an equaliser with half an hour to go. The game eventually headed into a penalty shootout, with Alvaro Morata seeing his spot-kick saved by Diogo Costa, handing the title to Portugal.
Take a look at what fans have been saying, particularly when it comes to Cristiano Ronaldo:
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Ronaldo vs Yamal
It was initially billed as the battle of the past and the future in Munich as Ronaldo faced off with Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. The young Spaniard looks likely to be the one to carry the baton of one of the world’s best over the next years.
And to be fair, Yamal’s performances have been so sensational that even Ronaldo himself has billed the youngster to be one of the contenders for the Ballon d’Or. But the Portuguese veteran proved he still had plenty left within the opening few minutes of the clash as he chased back to steal the ball away from his Yamal.
And fans were full of praise. One wrote: “Ronaldo (40) taking the ball off Yamal(17) .. this is CINEMA,” with another adding: “Ronaldo dispossessing Yamal that’s my goat.”
A futher supporter said: “40 years old Cristiano Ronaldo just dispossessed 17 years old lamine yamal. Ronaldo is winning the battle already.”
Cristiano Ronaldo faced off with Lamine Yamal for the first time in Munich
Who was man-of-the-match between Portugal and Spain? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Offside debate
Typically, Ronaldo had a big role to play in Portugal’s equaliser. The Al-Nassr forward sprinted beyond the Spain defence and set the ball back to Bernardo Silva.
He initially looked as though he had drifted offside but the flag stayed down long enough for Nuno Mendes to pick the ball up and lash it low into the far corner. VAR looked at the strike but saw no reason to cancel it – a decision that was debated by fans.
One said: “That was a clear offside by Ronaldo. This tournament is rigged for Portugal,” while another replied: “How Ronaldo manages to beat the offside trap is serious.”
Oyarzabal continues to shine
While Ronaldo was previously the man for the big occasion, it appears someone else has claimed his glittering stage – Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad wideman has developed a very handy nack of finding the net in major finals.
England fans probably don’t need reminding that he scored in their recent Euros heartbreak. And he’s followed that up with another decisive goal in Germany.
That form follows goals in the 2020 Copa del Rey final, the Olympics final of 2020 and the 2021 Nations League showpiece. And fans were quick to praise the forward.
One said: “Oyarzabal has achieved what Cristiano has always dreamed of but has never been able to: score in a final with his country.”
Mikel Oyarzabal has become Spain’s man for the big occasion
Ronaldo reacts
That fan was very quickly made to eat their words as Ronaldo levelled for Portugal with half an hour to go. Mendes raced down the left once more and lifted an excellent cross into the box.
It drifted over the head of Chelsea star Marc Cucurella, with Ronaldo sticking out a boot to divert it into the net. And fans simply could not get enough.
“Cristiano Ronaldo equalizes in the final,” one wrote. “The most clutch player ever in the biggest stages!!”
Pointing out his stunning goalscoring record, another said: “Ronaldo is inevitable ain’t he. 138 goals for his country. 138.”
Penalties decisive as Ronaldo breaks down
Ronaldo’s evening was to end early after seemingly picking up an injury late on in normal time. As he departed, he handed the armband to Fernandes.
Unfortunately for Portugal, they were not able to find a way through Spain with the game heading to penalties. And many will have hoped that Ronaldo would take one.
But it mattered not as Morata missed and Ruben Neves secured the trophy for Ronaldo’s men in Munich, triggering tears from the 40-year-old.
One fan wrote: “Ronaldo crying The fan in me is so happy for him after a half decade finally bro,” but another wasn’t as convinced. “Ronaldo has totally lost my respect for crying after winning an international friendly,” they wrote..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>