UEFA Nations League final: Portugal defeat Spain on Shoot-out as Ronaldo ends speculation over future
On Sunday in Munich, Portugal defeat Spain 5-3 on shoot-out as Cristiano Ronaldo scores to help his country reclaim the title.
The Portugal national team had to come back into the game twice courtesy Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo goals after Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Ovarzabal goals gave Spain lead twice in the game.
Portugal’s triumph at the competition yesterday now records that Ronaldo and his teammates have won the Nations League title twice following their success in the same competition in 2019.
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Portugal became two-time winners of the UEFA Nations League following the defeat of the defending champions, Spain, kudos to Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa who made a tremendous save from Alvaro Morata’s spotkick, which guaranteed 5-3 triumph following their 2-2 draw.
Cristiano Ronaldo pulled Portugal level at 2-2 in the 61st minute, but there was nothing else to separate the two sides when the referee signalled the end of normal time.
Subbed off before extra time, Portugal captain Ronaldo dropped to the turf and sobbed tears of joy on the sidelines after Ruben Neves slotted home the winning penalty following Diogo Costa’s save from Alvaro Morata’s spot-kick.
UEFA Nations League Final: Portugal Defeat Spain On Shoot-Out
Ruben Neves applied the finishing touch to the victory, slamming in his penalty after Morata had been denied to spark emotional celebrations in the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who was forced-off to watch the match to the end on the sidelines, appeared in tears of joy after the game.
His presence helped the champions during the competitive match, netting Portugal’s second goal on the night after equalising twice against the reigning European champions.
Amid the game, the Spain’s 17-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal was excellently silenced by brilliant Nuno Mendes, who netted the first equaliser and catalysed Ronaldo goal.
Ahead of the World Cup, which is just one year away, these two great footballing nations will be envisaging another contest in North America.
Regarding the qualities of players in both teams, and also their semi-final victories over Germany and France, respectively, depicts that they will be major favourites for the title come next year too.
It can be recalled that the shoot-out came at the end of electrifying final match which started with Spain scoring first on the night.
After Pedri and Nico Williams missed chances, Arsenal-bound midfielder Martin Zubimendi gave Spain a well-deserved lead on 21st minutes.
He appeared to energetic, moved ‘round the pitch through the game and this made him eventually picked up the pieces from Yamal’s dinging cross to finish the move he had engineered.
Prior to the game, it had been billed as a showdown between young prodigy Yamal and the football icon Ronaldo, but the Portugal captain came on top as he swiftly got involved in Portugal first equaliser of the game.
The VAR team checked for a possible offside on Ronaldo who fed Pedro Neto, before the young Portuguese winger tee up Mendes for a shot into the bottom corner.
Shortly after the break, Spain had their chance, with Mikel Oyarzabal, who was the match winner for them against England in last year’s Euros final, cutely slotting home after a superb through ball from Pedri just on the stroke of half-time.
UEFA Nations League Final: Portugal Defeat Spain On Shoot-Out
Portugal made a double-substitution at the break as they attempted to shift momentum and they successfully achieved that with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes scored just moments into the second-half but he was his effort chalked-off for offside earlier in Neto’s move.
Portugal improved on the hour mark as Ronaldo stepped-up to the game. the forty-year-old was perfectly positioned to volley in Mendes’s deflected cross and was adulated instantly for his 138th international goal.
The Portugal captain appeared to be injured and limped off the pitch before the end of normal regulation time, but was not the only player on the pitch feeling the intensity of the game─so quick and feisty at the early states─suddenly turned into atense and tight affairs.
Portugal forward Diogo Jota had the best of the chances in extra time, which he headed over the bar from close range.
At the end, Roberto Martinez’s men became victorious, adding to their first Nations League title.
Portugal Captain Cristiano Ronaldo Celebrating His Goal in he Nations League Final Tie Against Spain. Photo Credit: Morganable
Ronaldo Ends Speculation Over Future
Ahead of 5-3 Nations League final win over Spain last night, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to end speculations over his future.
It can be recalled that FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently admitted the possibility of Ronaldo playing at the new-format Club World Cup.
“Ronaldo might play for one of the teams as well at the Club World Cup, there are discussions,” Infantino said in a bizarre interview with YouTuber IShowSpeed, which was live streamed from his bedroom, Infantino said.
“There are discussions with some clubs, so if any club is watching and is interested in hiring Ronaldo for the Club World Cup... who knows, who knows.”
UEFA Nations League Final: Portugal Defeat Spain On Shoot-Out
There were recent reports that clubs likes Inter Miami, Fluminense, while Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was also urged to swoop for the Portuguese icon, but Ronaldo, during his post-match conference last night, said he had already said no to all offers presented to his table, claiming the he will not play in the FIFA Club World Cup during the summer.
“It’s almost decided that I will NOT take part at the FIFA Club World Cup despite receiving many invitations and proposals,” Ronaldo said in an interview ahead of Portugal’s Nations League final against Spain on Sunday.
“There have been talks, contacts… but you have to think about short, medium and long term.”
Portugal eventually won the match with Ronaldo scoring in the final game on 61st minute to bring his country level before the winners of the match were decided on shoot-out.
During his post-final-match conference, Ronaldo said: “My future? Basically nothing is gonna change. Staying at Al Nassr? Yeah.”
There was a series of speculations surrounding Ronaldo’s future, with his €200million-a-year contract, with Al Nassr, set to expire at the end of June.
A few days ago, Ronaldo appeared on social media to strengthen a possible departure from Saudi Arabia following his final game of the season with Al Nassr.
Posting on social media after another trophyless season with the Saudi club, the forward wrote: “This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all.”
UEFA Nations League Final: Portugal Defeat Spain On Shoot-Out
Howbeit, Al Nassr had been reiterating that talks were in place to renew Ronaldo’s deal with the club.
in the statement of the club’s sporting director Fernando Hierro in a press conference at the end of May, “We are still in negotiations with Cristiano. Hopefully we can find a solution on a renewal.
“Cris is now with his national team, with a few days off. His contract runs until June 30th.
