MUNICH — Portugal clinched the UEFA Nations League title in dramatic fashion Sunday night, edging Spain 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw through extra time. The victory, capped by Cristiano Ronaldo’s pivotal equalizer and goalkeeper Diogo Costa’s decisive save, delivered Portugal its latest international trophy in a thrilling finale at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
Rúben Neves converted the final penalty to seal the win for Portugal after Costa stopped Álvaro Morata’s attempt — the only miss in an otherwise perfect set of penalties. Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer, had earlier tied the match in the 61st minute with his record-extending 138th international goal.
The match unfolded with high drama. Spain opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Martín Zubimendi after Portugal’s defense failed to deal with a cross from 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal. Portugal answered just five minutes later when Nuno Mendes buried a low shot into the far corner, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just before halftime, Spain regained the lead when Mikel Oyarzabal latched onto a through ball from Pedri and slotted past Costa to make it 2-1. But Portugal equalized again in the second half after Mendes sent in a cross that deflected into Ronaldo’s path for a clinical finish.
Mendes, the 22-year-old left back, was named player of the match after a standout performance that included a goal, an assist, strong defensive work against Yamal, and a composed penalty in the shootout. He, along with Paris Saint-Germain teammates Gonçalo Ramos, João Neves, and Vitinha, earned a second trophy in as many weeks after winning the UEFA Champions League in the same stadium.
Ronaldo exited the match to a standing ovation in the 88th minute, visibly exhausted, and embraced coach Roberto Martínez on the touchline. The 39-year-old had helped Portugal end a 25-year drought against Germany in the semifinal and once again proved decisive in a major final.
Morata, whose miss proved costly, was visibly emotional and consoled by teammates. Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente offered no excuses after the match, acknowledging Portugal’s resilience. “We played well in phases, but Portugal finished stronger,” he said.
Oyarzabal, who scored Spain’s second, praised his squad’s effort despite the defeat. “It’s tough right now, but this will be appreciated over time. We’re proud of our team and we’ll fight again,” he said.
Spain, still reigning European champion, lacked the cohesion in attack that carried it past France in the semifinals, where it had scored five.
Earlier in Stuttgart, France defeated Germany 2-0 to secure third place. Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé scored his 50th international goal and assisted the second in a composed performance that salvaged pride for Les Bleus.
France coach Didier Deschamps, who had downplayed the significance of the third-place match, rotated his squad amid injuries to key PSG players Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola.
