Portugal crowns again to the Nations League champion!

Portugal crowns again to the Nations League champion!

Portugal. The final took place on Sunday in the Allianz Arena in Munich, where Portugal triumphed against Spain in a penalty shootout. The team of coach Roberto Martinez celebrated a 5: 3 success after 120 exciting minutes, in which it was 2-2. With this victory, Portugal won the Nations League for the second time, after the first success in 2019, and has been the first team to be launched since the 2019 tournament.

The encounter started dramatically with an early goal for Spain: Martín Zubimendi put the Iberer in the lead in the 21st minute. However, Portugal reacted quickly and in the 26th minute through Nuno Mendes, who replied with a precise shot. Shortly before half -time, Mikel Oyarzabal was able to bring Spain again before Cristiano Ronaldo equalized in the 61st minute. His performance, including a 138th international goal, underlined the captain's impressive game.

The decision in penalty shooting

In the subsequent penalty shootout, all five shooters for Portugal transformed their penalty, while Álvaro Morata for Spain awarded the decisive penalty that was held by goalkeeper Diogo Costa. Ruben Neves stated the final score with his converted penalty to 5: 3 at the point. Before the penalty shootout, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was celebrated emotionally, was replaced together with Lamine Yamal.

Before the final, Portugal had won in an intensive semi -finals against Germany, while Spain had to overcome some challenges on the way to the final. The significant victory for Portugal is not only a step in the Nations League, but also another success in Ronaldo's impressive career, in which he has won three big titles with Portugal so far: the UEFA Euro 2016 and the Nations League 2021.

The background to the UEFA Nations League

To understand the UEFA Nations League, it is important to look at its origin. The discussion about a new competition for national associations began in 1999, and in 2014 the Nations League was finally launched to increase the attractiveness of international friendly games and reduce financial pressure on weaker leagues. The tournament structure divides the 55 UEFA national teams into different leagues based on their current achievements. The format is regularly adapted to offer the viewers a more competitive and exciting football experience that is also linked to the qualification for big tournaments.

The Triumph Portugal in the Nations League 2024-25 could be seen as a further step in the UEFA's endeavor to raise international football to a new level and at the same time offer the teams a platform to measure and develop.