Portugal 2 Spain 2 (5-3 pens): Tearful Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, wins third international trophy as Morata misses penalty

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PORTUGAL tasted Nations League glory for a second time with Cristiano Ronaldo playing a starring role – and Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata the villain.

After winning the inaugural 2019 edition, Roberto Martinez’s men are champions once more in a thrilling finale in Munich, fighting back twice to draw level against reigning European champions Spain.

 Ruben Dias and team mates of Portugal celebrate after Ruben Neves of Portugal (not pictured) scores his sides winning penalty during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties in the Nations League final
A man in a red jersey crying while embracing another man.Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears after Ruben Neves scored the last spot-kick
 Diogo Costa of Portugal saves a penalty taken by Alvaro Morata of Spain during a penalty shootout during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Diogo Costa saved Alvaro Morata’s penalty

❌ Alvaro Morata misses from the spot
✅ Ruben Neves scores from the spot
🏆 Portugal are Uefa Nations League winners! pic.twitter.com/2WqXRg1DQv

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 8, 2025

Ronaldo netted an ingenious equalising 61st minute volley to make it 2-2 for his 938th career goal and 138th for his country – but the 40-year-old watched the penalties from the bench, along with 17-year-old teenage superstar Lamine Yamal.

And Spain’s Morata missed his spot-kick for Ruben Neves to slot home the winner.

Both nations were vying to become the first to lift the Nations League twice.

A slow start was thrust into life by a Nico Williams whipped curler that just cleared the bar after 17 minutes – and four minutes later the Spaniards were ahead.

Yamal at the heart of it, his delicious cross was made a mess of by a scrambling Portugal defence, allowing soon-to-be Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi to score just his second international goal.

Spain were 4-0 up after 55 minutes in their 5-4 semi thriller against France last week, but Ronaldo was not about to let that happen again as he burst in behind to spark an attack.

It ended with Mendes firing low into the bottom corner in the 26th minute, but not before a VAR check that judged Ronaldo to have timed his run to perfection.

The final say of the first half was Spain’s.

Pedri with a superb reverse pass to tee up Mikel Oyarzabal in injury time – the man who broke English hearts in the Euros final in Berlin last summer producing another big goal in Munich.

Spain's Martin Zubimendi celebrates scoring his side's opening goal during the Nations League final soccer match between Portugal and Spain at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring in the 21st minute
Soccer Football - Nations League - Final - Portugal v Spain - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - June 8, 2025 Portugal's Nuno Mendes scores their first goal REUTERS/Michaela Stache TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYNuno Mendes levelled the scores within five minutes
 Mikel Oyarzabal #21 of Spain scores Spains second goal against Diogo Costa of Portugal during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 8, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by EyesWideOpen/Getty Images)Mikel Oyarzabal made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time
Match stats graphic showing Portugal vs Spain; key stats include shots, possession, and passes.

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Martinez responded by bringing on Neves and Nelson Semedo at the break, and it almost had an instant impact as Bruno Fernandes had a 49th minute strike ruled out for offside.

An equaliser was coming and Ronaldo reacted first to a deflected looped cross that bamboozled Marc Cucurella for his eighth Nations League of the campaign.

He hobbled off with a muscular injury in the 88th minute, while Yamal was subbed in the 106th minute, as the game became niggly with a VAR red-check following a mass melee.

Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes all slotted home their penalties before Neves became the hero.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal against Spain during the Nations League final soccer match between Portugal and Spain at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, June 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)Ronaldo equalised in the 61st minute – his 138rd international goal
 Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts following an injury during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)Ronaldo limped off injured in the the 87th minute
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