June 9 – In a pulsating Nations League final in Munich, Portugal beat Spain in a penalty shoot-out after the match ended at 2-2.
It was as emotional as it was frantic with a tearful 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored Portugal’s equaliser, lifting the trophy, as well as stealing the spotlight, praise and acclaim from the 17-year-old Spanish starlet Lamine Yamal who had lit up Europe last summer at the Euros.
Yamal had a quiet night, comfortably contained by the impressive Nuno Mendes who also scored to rub further salt into the Spaniard’s halo.
For Portugal’s Mendes, midfielders Joao Neves and Vitinha and striker Goncalo Ramos, it was the second time in eight days they celebrated at the Allianz Arena – they all starred in PSG’s Champions League win over Inter Milan.
Spain looked to have the match under control early on and went ahead in the 21st minute when Martin Zubimendi poked home after Portugal failed to clear their back line.
The lead lasted just five minutes with Mendes hitting a low, angled strike past Unai Simon.
On the stroke of half time, Spain were back in front. Mikel Oyarzabal, who had assisted for the first goal scored the second himself after rounding Ruben Dias before slotting home.
Cometh the hour, come the man, and inevitably it was Ronaldo who on 61 minutes seized on a loose cross to volley in for his 138th international goal, 2-2. It was his eighth goal in nine Nations League games this campaign.
With Ronaldo substituted just before the end of full time, the match charged into extra time with Spain twice coming close to a winner with efforts from Pedro Porro and Marc Cucurella.
This match and these teams were only now only going to be separated by the drama of penalties.
Now it was the turn of the goalkeepers to have the opportunity to be match winners. Diogo Costa saved Alvaro Morata’s spot-kick, setting up Ruben Neves to score his penalty to make it 5-3 for Portugal.
Portugal became the first country to win UEFA’s Nations League twice. It was also a victory for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez who had been rumoured to be out of a job. It will be hard to release him after this performance.
The celebrations around UEFA’s showpiece were muted by news after the game that a fan had died after falling from the stands. The man, from the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district in Bavaria, fell from the middle tier into the lower tier and then on to a staircase in the media area at the Allianz Arena.He died at the scene from his injuries.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said: “I want to show my deepest condolences because a fan has died. It reminds us of what is important in life.”
A Portugal spokesperson said the death “casts a shadow on our victory”.
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