Portugal wins Nations League, Spain loses on penalties

Portugal won the Nations League for the second time in their history . The Portuguese defeated defending champions Spain 7-5 in the final on penalties. Martinez's team did not miss a single shot from 11 meters, while the only mistake that condemned the 'Red Furies' was Morata's shot, with Diogo Costa blocking it. Both regulation time and extra time ended 2-2. The European champions took the lead twice in the 21st minute with Zubimendi and in the 45th minute with Oyarzabal, but were then reached first by Nuno Mendes in the 26th minute and then Ronaldo in the 61st minute.

The first chance of the match is for the Portuguese in the 5th minute. Following a corner, a good ball is played back to Joao Neves, who has time and space to shoot but tries a complicated counter-attack shot that ends up wide. In the quarter of an hour Huijsen from the defense plays an excellent ball to Nico Williams wide on the left: perfect connection, entry into the area and support on the edge for Pedri who arrives on the run with a conclusion that ends up wide to the left of the goalkeeper. Two minutes later Nico Williams is dangerous again with a curling shot that grazes the top corner.

In the 21st minute Yamal puts a soft ball in the middle, in front of the goal, the first to arrive is Zubimendi who finds the decisive touch. Five minutes later Nuno Mendes equalizes. The PSG full-back does it all by himself, receiving the ball on the edge, with a sprint he frees himself from his direct opponent and with his left foot finds the corner. In the 33rd minute yellow for Fabia Ruiz who commits a tactical foul to stop a dangerous counterattack by Pedro Neto. In the 45th minute the 'red furies' regain the lead. Pedri receives the ball in the three-quarter line, heads towards the defense and then with the outside finds a wonderful through ball for Oyarzabal, who in front of the goalkeeper crosses with his right and puts the ball in the corner.

Portugal restarts with two substitutions: Semedo and Ruben Neves for Joao Neves and Conceiçao. In the 4th minute Pedro Neto and Bruno Fernandes exchange words in a tight space, with the latter being launched towards the goal and beating Unai Simon with a great right-footed shot. The Manchester United player is offside, however, and the referee disallows it. In the 11th minute, a left-footed shot from outside the area by Fabian Ruiz is blocked by Diogo Costa. In the 16th minute, CR7 equalizes. Great move on the left by Nuno Mendes, who beats Yamal and sends a tight ball into the center: a rebound makes the ball soar and the former Real Madrid player puts his foot in to make it 2-2.

In the 18th minute, Pedri in the area with two feints and two changes of direction frees himself to shoot but Nuno Mendes is extraordinary in recovering and deflects the ball into a corner. In the half hour, a double change for Martinez who brings on Veiga and Leao for Inacio and Bernardo Silva. At the same time, De La Fuente chooses Isco and Merino in place of Pedri and Fabian Ruiz. In the 32nd minute, Yamal frees himself to shoot but the conclusion is central and Diogo Costa saves. In the 37th minute, Pedro Neto is cautioned for a foul on Yamal and a minute later Isco attempts a conclusion from the edge of the area: Diogo Costa manages to block.

At 43' Ronaldo's match ends due to injury, Goncalo Ramos takes his place. At 45' Le Normand is given a yellow card for bringing down Leao: the Rossoneri player, starting from a standing position on the left, had headed towards the area, jumping over him. Bruno Fernandes tries a free kick and Unai Simon stretches out and saves.

At the start of the first half of extra time, a great chance for the Portuguese. Nuno Mendes from the left puts a great low ball into the center, Semedo tries to turn first but gets tangled up: he hits it with one foot, kicking the ball to the other and it comes out a shot that ends up wide. In the 4th minute, a double substitution for Spain: Alex Baena for Nico Williams; Pedro Porro for Mingueza. In the 9th minute, a nice enveloping move by Spain, with the Portuguese defense clearing as best they can, the ball arrives at Cucurella's foot. Imperfect control, from a favorable position, and a high shot. In the 10th minute, Nuno Mendes takes off like a train, jumping everyone at speed on the wing, enters the area and falls. The referee says play can continue, but the Portuguese players protest and a brawl breaks out between the players, quelled by the referee with two yellow cards for Alex Baena and Nuno Mendes.

The second half of extra time starts with Yeremi Pino replacing Yamal for Spain and Diogo Jota replacing Pedro Neto for Portugal. In the 3rd minute of the second extra time, Pedro Porro attempts a long-range shot, but Diogo Costa is out of his line, with a shot that goes just wide. In the 5th minute, Pedro Porro is booked for slashing Leao from behind while he was on the counterattack. Immediately after, Morata comes on for Oyarzabal. The last chance of extra time goes to Diogo Jota who heads the ball wide. The game goes to penalties. All five penalty takers score for Portugal: Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and Ruben Neves. Merino, Alex Baena and Isco score for Spain, but Morata's mistake condemns the Spaniards.