{"id":4791,"date":"2025-06-09T09:32:20","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T06:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/?p=4791"},"modified":"2025-06-09T09:32:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-09T06:32:21","slug":"portugal-defeats-spain-to-win-uefa-nations-league-ronaldo-shines-in-historic-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/portugal-defeats-spain-to-win-uefa-nations-league-ronaldo-shines-in-historic-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Portugal Defeats Spain to Win UEFA Nations League: Ronaldo Shines in Historic Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Portugal secured their<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/live\/cvgqzyl24j4t\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/football\/live\/cvgqzyl24j4t\"> <strong>second UEFA Nations League title<\/strong> <\/a>after a dramatic <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/supersport.com\/en-KE\/football\/uefa-nations-league\/video\/151efc70-54cd-44ec-b4fc-83a15ffbd00a\/spain-v-portugal-final-highlights-uefa-nations-league\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/supersport.com\/en-KE\/football\/uefa-nations-league\/video\/151efc70-54cd-44ec-b4fc-83a15ffbd00a\/spain-v-portugal-final-highlights-uefa-nations-league\">5-3 penalty shootout victory<\/a><\/strong> over Spain at the <strong>Allianz Arena in Munich<\/strong>. The match was a thrilling contest, with both teams showcasing their quality, but it was Portugal who held their nerve in the decisive moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A Battle of European Giants<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Spain entered the final as the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\/euro2024\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.uefa.com\/euro2024\/\">reigning Euro 2024 champions<\/a><\/strong>, having eliminated Portugal in the semifinals of that tournament. Meanwhile, Portugal, led by <strong>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong>, was determined to reclaim the Nations League crown they first won in <strong>2019<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The match began with Spain taking the lead in the <strong>21st minute<\/strong>, as <strong>Martin Zubimendi<\/strong> capitalized on a defensive lapse to put La Roja ahead. However, Portugal responded swiftly, with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sofascore.com\/player\/nuno-mendes\/989768\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.sofascore.com\/player\/nuno-mendes\/989768\">Nuno Mendes<\/a><\/strong> firing home a powerful strike in the <strong>26th minute<\/strong> to level the score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"471\" height=\"589\" data-id=\"4794\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-man-of-the-match.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4794\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-man-of-the-match.jpg 471w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-man-of-the-match-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-man-of-the-match-150x188.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-man-of-the-match-300x375.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 471px) 100vw, 471px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Just before halftime, Spain regained the advantage through <strong>Mikel Oyarzabal<\/strong>, who expertly finished past <strong>Diogo Costa<\/strong> to make it <strong>2-1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/soccer\/cristiano-ronaldo-sheds-tears-of-joy-after-portugals-nations-league-triumph\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/soccer\/cristiano-ronaldo-sheds-tears-of-joy-after-portugals-nations-league-triumph\">Ronaldo\u2019s<\/a> Equalizer and Portugal\u2019s Resilience<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite trailing, Portugal remained composed, and in the <strong>61st minute<\/strong>, <strong>Cristiano Ronaldo<\/strong>\u2014at 40 years old\u2014once again proved his greatness. The legendary forward latched onto a deflected cross from Mendes and volleyed home his <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/soccer\/cristiano-ronaldo-sheds-tears-of-joy-after-portugals-nations-league-triumph\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.foxsports.com\/stories\/soccer\/cristiano-ronaldo-sheds-tears-of-joy-after-portugals-nations-league-triumph\">138th international goal<\/a><\/strong>, bringing Portugal level at <strong>2-2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The match remained deadlocked through extra time, with both teams creating chances but failing to find a winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"517\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4797\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-1.jpg 517w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-1-269x300.jpg 269w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-1-150x167.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-1-300x335.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/in\/football\/news\/portugal-spain-score-result-updates-stats-nations-league\/93762edfdf42313becad794b\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/in\/football\/news\/portugal-spain-score-result-updates-stats-nations-league\/93762edfdf42313becad794b\">Penalty Shootout<\/a> Drama<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>With the score tied after 120 minutes, the final was decided by a <strong>penalty shootout<\/strong>. Portugal displayed remarkable composure, converting all five of their penalties, while Spain faltered when <strong>\u00c1lvaro Morata\u2019s spot-kick was saved by Diogo Costa<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Portugal\u2019s penalty takers\u2014<strong>Gon\u00e7alo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, and R\u00faben Neves<\/strong>\u2014were flawless, securing a <strong>5-3 victory<\/strong> and their second Nations League title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"581\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4799\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-2.jpg 504w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-2-260x300.jpg 260w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-2-150x173.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/portugal-v-spain-2-300x346.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">photo courtesy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/football\/uefa-nations-league-champions-winners-full-list-spain-portugal-france\/article69669626.ece\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/football\/uefa-nations-league-champions-winners-full-list-spain-portugal-france\/article69669626.ece\">Portugal\u2019s Historic<\/a> Achievement<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>With this triumph, Portugal became the <strong>first nation to win the<a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/football\/portugal-win-second-nations-league-title-penalty-shootout-win-spain-ronaldo-goal-updates\/article69672497.ece\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/football\/portugal-win-second-nations-league-title-penalty-shootout-win-spain-ronaldo-goal-updates\/article69672497.ece\"> UEFA Nations League twice<\/a><\/strong>, solidifying their status as one of Europe\u2019s elite teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cristiano Ronaldo, visibly emotional after the win, expressed his joy in a post-match interview: <em>&#8220;I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. These are tears of joy. It\u2019s mission accomplished.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Portugal\u2019s victory over Spain was a testament to their resilience, tactical discipline, and ability to perform under pressure. With the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fifa.com\/en\/tournaments\/mens\/worldcup\/canadamexicousa2026\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.fifa.com\/en\/tournaments\/mens\/worldcup\/canadamexicousa2026\"> <strong>2026 FIFA World Cup<\/strong> <\/a>on the horizon, this win provides Portugal with confidence as they prepare for another major tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Spain, the defeat is a setback, but their young squad remains one of the strongest in Europe. As both teams look ahead, this Nations League final will be remembered as a classic battle between two footballing powerhouses.<br><br><a href=\"http:\/\/bangbet.com\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"bangbet.com\">Bangbet<\/a> More Than Win!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Portugal secured their second UEFA Nations League title after a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Spain at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The match was a thrilling contest, with both teams showcasing their quality, but it was Portugal who held their nerve in the decisive moments. A Battle of European Giants Spain entered the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4796,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[398,399,122],"class_list":{"0":"post-4791","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football-news","8":"tag-portugal-v-spain","9":"tag-portugal-wins","10":"tag-uefa-nations-league"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4791","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4791"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4791\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4803,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4791\/revisions\/4803"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bangbet.com\/ng\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}