Crime evokes tears from Ronaldo: Portugal outscores Spain
Title Triumph in Munich for Ronaldo and Portugal
In a heartwarming moment of joy, an emotional Cristiano Ronaldo shedded tears after Portugal's thrilling penalty shootout victory over Spain in the Nations League final in Munich. At 40, the accomplished football icon celebrated his team's triumph as if it were a Champions League triumph, demonstrating his unwavering passion for the game.
"We've always known we're a great team, these moments, these finals – that's what we play for," shared Bruno Fernandes post-match on RTL. Ronaldo, the inspiring figurehead, bagged his third trophy after Euro 2016 and Nations League 2019, proving his worth once again as a legendary footballer.
After a dramatic final that saw Spain's reigning victors fall to an upset, Ronaldo, at times visibly anxious, has only one unfulfilled dream left: the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
A Near-Miss for Morata
Multiple World Player of the Year Ronaldo was instrumental in Portugal's 5-3 penalty shootout win (2-2, 2-2, 1-2) against Spain, scoring the decisive goal that made it 2-2. During the nail-biting point-blank showdown, the sidelines proved no friend to Ronaldo, as Alvaro Morata's missed penalty secured victory for Portugal.
Eight days after his Champions League triumph in the same stadium, Ronaldo (61') and PSG defender Nuno Mendes (26') equalized for Portugal against Spain. Martin Zubimendi (21') and Mikel Oyarzabal (45') couldn't give Spain the edge they desired.
Ronaldo Claims Record
Similar to the semi-final victory against Germany (2-1), Ronaldo exit Munich Arena with a victory under his belt. The ageless prodigy outmatched his younger counterpart, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, in a generational duel. Ronaldo, now aged 40, replaced Croatian Luka Modric (a then 37-year-old) as the oldest player to feature in a Nations League final. His impact was undeniable: a leader, scorer, and driving force who demonstrated his exceptional class during his 221st international appearance with his 138th goal.
In the waning stages of regular time, Ronaldo was forced to step off the field. The unstoppable superstar sat on the ground, needing treatment and a substitute. He warmly embraced coach Roberto Martinez on the sidelines and celebrated the winning goal from there in extra time.
Yamal Doesn't Dazzle in Munich
Barcelona's star talent, Lamine Yamal, didn't dominate the Nations League final as he had in the epic semi-final against France (5-4). Mendes effectively limited Yamal's influence, and his wing partner Nico Williams failed to make a significant impact. Could the 22-year-old play a more significant role in future finals? There's reportedly strong interest from Bayern Munich in the Athletic Bilbao player.
Atypical La Roja Struggles
In the third consecutive Nations League final, Spain faced more resistance than expected from Portugal's shrewd disruptors. The opening goal was far from the stylish play normally associated with Spain, coming from a fortunate deflection off Joao Neves' clearance. Zubimendi capitalized on the opportunity to score the first goal.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winning goal for Spain in last year's Euro final in Berlin, found the net again this time. Following perfect setup by Pedri, Oyarzabal sealed the 2:1 victory. However, unlike last year, there was no title to be won. At 28, he's already one of the more experienced players in a Spanish squad that could boast nine players for the U21 Euro tournament starting this week in Slovakia. But the team still needs to develop further to achieve the ultimate goal: the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- Despite Alvaro Morata's missed penalty during the tense final moments of the Nations League, Cristiano Ronaldo's extraordinary performance in football extended to European-leagues like the premier-league, as he demonstrated his unmatched sports skills and passion yet again.
- As Portugal secured their victory against Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo not only deepened his Portland legend but also set his sights on a new challenge, aiming to add the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada to his collection of trophies in European-leagues and premier-leagues.
