Portugal's national football team secures a second victory in the Nations League tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese footballing legend, made history in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain on Sunday, becoming the all-time top scorer for a national team in the competition. In an enthralling match that ended 2-2 after regular and extra time, Portugal emerged victorious in a thrilling penalty shootout.
Ronaldo, at the age of 40, demonstrated his remarkable longevity and prowess on the field by scoring his 138th goal for Portugal, surpassing his own previous record. This achievement brings his overall career goal tally to an extraordinary 938 goals for club and country.
The UEFA Nations League, created in 2018 to replace friendly matches with competitive games against similarly ranked teams, has provided a new platform for international football. This season, 54 teams are participating, divided into Leagues A, B, C, and D. Portugal, who won the inaugural tournament in 2019 against the Netherlands (1:0, Gonçalo Guedes' goal), have now secured their second title.
Spain, who have won the Nations League once, in 2023, took an early lead through Martín Zubimendi (21st minute) and Mikel Oyarzabal (45th minute). However, Portugal responded strongly, with Nuno Mendes (26th minute) and Ronaldo (61st minute) scoring to level the game.
The final score remained 2-2 after extra time, leading to a tense and nail-biting penalty shootout. Portugal ultimately prevailed, winning 5-3. Notably, Álvaro Morata missed a penalty for Spain in the shootout.
In the third-place playoff, France beat Germany 2-0, with Michael Olise scoring for France in the 84th minute and Kylian Mbappé netting his 50th goal for the national team in the 45th minute. France, who have won the Nations League once, in 2021, will be hoping to build on this success in future tournaments.
The UEFA Nations League is part of the European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. As the competition continues to grow in importance, players like Cristiano Ronaldo will undoubtedly continue to make history and captivate football fans around the world.
Ronaldo's continued scoring at 40 and multiple records in both club and international competitions underline his exceptional longevity and prowess on the football field. He holds the record for the most goals scored for a national team in the UEFA Nations League, the most international goals by a European player, the most international hat-tricks, and the most appearances in European Championships. Additionally, he has won 34 trophies in his career as of mid-2025.
In summary, Cristiano Ronaldo's performance in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain further cements his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His record-breaking goalscoring feats and multiple records in both club and international competitions highlight his exceptional longevity and prowess on the football field. The 2024/25 season marks the fourth edition of the UEFA Nations League, and with Ronaldo still scoring at the top level, fans can expect more history-making moments in the future.
Ronaldo's record-breaking goal in the UEFA Nations League final against Spain, at the age of 40, adds another feather to his cap as he continues to excel in European-leagues, particularly the Premier League, where he has established a formidable reputation. The UEFA Nations League, an important competition in the European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, has provided a platform for such historical moments, showcasing the skills and passion of players like Cristiano Ronaldo.
