Ronaldo Cries As Portugal Wins Nations League On Penalties

Portugal lifted their second Nations League title as they beat Spain via a dramatic penalty shootout in Munich. Ruben Neves scored the winning penalty to leave Cristiano Ronaldo in floods of tears after a thrilling 2-2 draw went the distance.

Portugal initially looked to be in for a long night after Spain dominated the opening portion of the game before Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi gave them a deserved lead. But Ronaldo’s men were not behind for long as Nuno Mendes replied with a brilliant strike to level matters five minutes later.

Mikel Oyarzabal, the match winner in the Euro 2024 final, restored Spain’s lead just before the break with a lethal finish. Bruno Fernandes thought he had hauled his nation back into the game but saw his strike ruled out by an offside flag.

Where the Manchester United man had failed, Cristiano Ronaldo succeeded as he stabbed home an equaliser with half an hour to go. The game eventually headed into a penalty shootout, with Alvaro Morata seeing his spot-kick saved by Diogo Costa, handing the title to Portugal.

It was initially billed as the battle of the past and the future in Munich as Ronaldo faced off with Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal. The young Spaniard looks likely to be the one to carry the baton of one of the world’s best over the next years.

And to be fair, Yamal’s performances have been so sensational that even Ronaldo himself has billed the youngster to be one of the contenders for the Ballon d’Or. But the Portuguese veteran proved he still had plenty left within the opening few minutes of the clash as he chased back to steal the ball away from his Yamal.

And fans were full of praise. One wrote: “Ronaldo (40) taking the ball off Yamal(17) .. this is CINEMA,” with another adding: “Ronaldo dispossessing Yamal that’s my goat.”

A futher supporter said: “40 years old Cristiano Ronaldo just dispossessed 17 years old lamine yamal. Ronaldo is winning the battle already.”

Miror.co.uk