'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Cristiano Ronaldo won his third trophy with Portugal as they pipped Spain at the post 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes of play to win the UEFA Nations League for a second time. The two sides face off in the competition’s showpiece at Allianz Arena on Sunday, May 8.
While Roberto Martiez had a plethora of quality in his squad, Spain came into the contest as top dogs, and it came as no surprise as they started the game strongly. The bright start paid dividends in the 21st minute after the Portuguese defense failed to clear Lamine Yamal’s cross, and Joao Neves’ attempt to put the ball to safety saw him give the ball to Martin Zubimendi, who tapped it into an empty net.
Trending
Roberto Martinez’s men immediately rallied in response, and they were back on level terms after five minutes through Nuno Mendes, who marauded down the left wing and unleashed a fierce strike into the far corner. But when it seemed like the first half would end on level terms, Mikel Oyarzabal rose to the occasion for the Spaniard in the 45th minute, guiding home a through ball from Pedri.
Portugal came into the second half with more resolve, and Bruno Fernandes thought he’d equalized for Seleção das Quinas four minutes after the restart, but his goal was chalked off for offside. They kept cranking up the pressure, and they finally restored parity in the 61st minute through Cristiano Ronaldo, who reacted quickest to slot home a deflected cross.
The scoreline remained unchanged until the end of regulation time, and neither side could find the net in the additional 30 minutes, which meant a penalty shoot-out ensued. Alvaro Morata missing the only spot kick in the shoot-out meant Seleção das Quinas emerged victorious in Germany.
Ahead of the match, there were talks pitting Lamine Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo against each other. Following Portugal’s victory, fans couldn’t resist praising the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and taking jabs at Yamal on social media.
Here are some of the reactions below:
"Ronaldo deserves this. Bruno deserves this!," an X user wrote.
Another tweeted:
"My goat deserves this."
Another claimed Cristiano Ronaldo showed Lamine Yamal what real aura is
"HE SHOWED YAMAL WHAT REAL AURA IS," @redragonyx wrote.
A netizen tweeeted in response to the comparisons made betweeen Ronaldo and Yamal, writing:
"EVERYONE IS A GANGSTER UNTIL A REAL GANGSTER WALKS INTO THE ROOM!!!"
"Everyone’s a king until the real king arrives," @TheFarm_er added.
"Nothing is better than winning for Portugal" – Cristiano Ronaldo after winning the Nations League against Spain
Cristiano was sobbing after Portugal pipped Spain to become the first side to win the Nations League on multiple occasions. The 40-year-old endured an abysmal season with Al-Nassr in the just-concluded campaign and hasn’t won a major trophy since 2021.
Speaking after the match, Ronaldo said (via BBC):
"Winning for Portugal is always special. I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It's tears. It's duty done and a lot of joy."
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 138 international goals.
