**Portugal** etches its name in football history by becoming the **first nation** to win the **UEFA Nations League** twice, overcoming their rivals from Spain in a thrilling clash that ended 2-2 after extra time and culminated in a nail-biting penalty shootout, where they triumphed 5-3.
Drama Unfolds: Portugal vs. Spain Match Recap
The match kicked off with **Spain** seizing the initiative, showing impressive form and securing an early lead. In the 21st minute, **Mikel Oyarzabal’s** clever flick set the stage for **Martin Zubimendi**, who charged down the right flank. His pinpoint delivery found fellow Barcelona star **Lamine Yamal**, and in the chaos of Portugal’s failed clearance, Zubimendi pounced to put Spain ahead.
However, Portugal responded with urgency; just five minutes later, **Nuno Mendes** leveled the score with a sensational strike—his first international goal—after a potential offside call against Cristiano Ronaldo went unpunished. As tensions mounted, Spain managed to regain the lead on the stroke of halftime when **Oyarzabal** netted, thanks to a silky setup from the ever-impressive **Pedri**.
A Second-Half Resurgence
With the weight of expectation on their shoulders, Portugal burst into action after the break. Ronaldo showcased his unyielding poaching instincts, volleying home a deflected cross from the impressive Mendes in the 61st minute, marking his **138th international goal**. The second half saw both sides exchanging chances, yet neither could secure a late winner, sending the match to penalties.
Spot-Kick Showdown
In the heart-pounding shootout, Portugal displayed nerves of steel, converting all five penalties with precision. Even after Ronaldo was substituted, substitute **Ruben Neves** sealed the victory, while **Diogo Costa** saved a crucial attempt from **Alvaro Morata**. The final score? **Portugal 5 – 3 Spain**.
Final Stats: A Game of Numbers
| Extra Time | Goalscorers | |
| Portugal | 2 | Mendes 26′, Ronaldo 61′ |
| Spain | 2 | Zubimendi 21′, Oyarzabal 45′ |
Portugal Celebrates: Winners of the UEFA Nations League
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
Referee: Sandro Scharer (Switzerland)
Portugal Line-up (4-3-3): Costa (GK) — Neves, Dias, Inacio, Mendes — Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Fernandes — Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto
Spain Line-up (4-3-3): Simon (GK) — Mingueza, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella — Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz — Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams
Key Match Stats
| Portugal | Stat | Spain |
| 7 | Shots | 16 |
| 2 | Shots on Target | 6 |
| 38% | Possession | 62% |
| 509 | Passes | 812 |
| 3 | Corners | 4 |
| 14 | Fouls | 19 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
| 4 | Offsides | 3 |
Follow the Action Live: Portugal vs. Spain Highlights
As the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted in joy for Portugal, while Ronaldo’s palpable emotion revealed the passion behind the game. In the end, it was **Portugal**’s night, and they celebrated in style. Stay tuned for **live updates and highlights** from this riveting encounter, where football passion and national pride were on full display.
For more insights on the match, you can check UEFA’s official page for a comprehensive breakdown and analysis.
