Portugal vs Spain: Thrilling 2-2 Draw in Nations League Final

Portugal’s captain Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with the Nations League trophy after a thrilling 2-2 draw in Munichespn.com.sg. The June 9, 2025 UEFA Nations League final at the Allianz Arena saw Portugal and Spain battle through 120 minutes of football, ultimately requiring penalties to decide the winnerespn.com.sg. Portugal prevailed 5-3 in the shootout to claim their second Nations League crown, but the real spectacle was the football itself. Goals were exchanged and dramatic moments unfolded, keeping fans from both nations on the edge of their seats Portugal vs Spain.

Match Summary: Goals and Key Events

The final started in an electric atmosphere. Spain drew first blood in the 21st minute when Martín Zubimendi charged forward on the left and neatly tucked away the opening goalsi.com. Portugal responded almost immediately. In the 26th minute, left-back Nuno Mendes darted into the box from a counter and calmly slotted home the equalizer, beating Spain’s goalkeepersi.com. The score was temporarily 1-1 (subject to a VAR check for a possible offside, which was overruled) before the teams went into halftime.

Just before the break, Portugal vs Spain regained the lead. Midfielder Pedri delivered a sublime through-pass to Mikel Oyarzabal, whose instinctive finish made it 2-1 for the holdersespn.com.sg. Oyarzabal, the Euros hero, expertly dispatched his chance to give Spain a narrow advantage at half-time.

In the second half, Portugal chased the game and were rewarded in the 61st minute. After Portugal won a corner, the ball was headed back into play by Rúben Dias and met the boot of Cristiano Ronaldo, who fired home from close range to make it 2-2espn.com.sg. This was Ronaldo’s 138th international goal. The match remained 2-2 through the remaining 30 minutes and into extra time, with neither side able to find a winner.

As a result, the final was decided by a penalty shootout. Portugal scored all five of their spot kicks, while Spain missed one (striker Álvaro Morata saw his attempt saved by Portugal’s Diogo Costa)espn.com.sgaljazeera.com. Portuguese midfielder Rúben Neves converted the decisive fifth penalty, securing a 5-3 shootout win for Portugal and sparking wild celebrations.

Scorers and key events:

• 21′ – Spain: Martín Zubimendi (goal)si.com
• 26′ – Portugal: Nuno Mendes (goal)si.com
• 45+1′ – Spain: Mikel Oyarzabal (goal)espn.com.sg
• 61′ – Portugal: Cristiano Ronaldo (goal)espn.com.sg
• 120’+ – Full-time 2-2; Penalty shootout won by Portugal 5-3 (Morata missed)espn.com.sgaljazeera.com

Tactical Analysis: Strategies and Formations

Both teams lined up in a 4-3-3 shape, but their approaches were quite distinct. Spain, coached by Luis de la Fuente, sought to dominate possession (about 62% to 38% in their favorespn.com.sg). Spain’s midfield trio – Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, and Zubimendi – circulated the ball and looked to carve openings. Portugal, under Roberto Martínez, played more conservatively, inviting pressure and seeking opportunities on the break.

• Possession: Spain 62%, Portugal 38%espn.com.sg – reflecting Spain’s control of the ball.
• Shots (on target): Spain 12 total (5 on target) vs. Portugal 5 total (3 on target)espn.com.sg. Spain outshot Portugal but found Portugal’s defense and goalkeeper in determined form.
• Key matchup: A highly anticipated duel was Spain’s 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal against Portugal’s left-back Nuno Mendes. Yamal, known for his dribbling and flair, was largely kept in check by Portugal’s defense. In fact, analysts noted that Yamal “struggled to make inroads” and was effectively neutralized by Mendesespn.com.sg.
• Midfield battle: Portugal’s midfield of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rúben Neves tried to spring quick transitions. Spain’s pivot of Pedri and Fabián aimed to break lines with short passes (Pedri’s assist to Oyarzabal’s goal was a prime exampleespn.com.sg). Fabián helped Spain keep possession high.
• Defensive lines: Portugal’s center-backs Rúben Dias and Gonçalo Inácio provided solidity, though Zubimendi found the net between them for Spain’s openersi.com. Spain’s back four (including Robin Le Normand and young Dean Huijsen) battled hard but ultimately conceded twice.

Both teams showed tactical discipline. Spain’s approach was to wear Portugal down with passes; Portugal’s gameplan relied on compact defending and set-pieces. The contrasting styles – Spanish possession versus Portuguese opportunism – made for a fascinating chess match.

Standout Performances

Several players were key to the dramatic outcome:

• Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – The veteran captain was at the heart of Portugal’s fightback. He scored the crucial 61st-minute equalizer (his 138th goal for Portugal)espn.com.sg and later converted a penalty. Ronaldo’s emotional reaction – crying tears of joy after victory – was a talking pointespn.com.sg. Even at 40, his movement and threat never faded.
• Nuno Mendes (Portugal) – The left-back was outstanding up and down the flank. He opened Portugal’s scoring with a well-taken finishsi.com and proved relentless in attack. Defensively, Mendes earned praise for effectively containing Spain’s teen star Lamine Yamalespn.com.sg, dampening Yamal’s influence.
• Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain) – The Spanish forward was a constant threat. He restored Spain’s lead right before halftime with a composed finish, following Pedri’s brilliant passespn.com.sg. Oyarzabal worked tirelessly, pressing defenders and creating space. His experience (Euro 2020 final winner) showed in his calm finishing.
• Pedri (Spain) – The young midfield maestro again showed his class. He controlled tempo and provided the assist for Oyarzabal’s goalespn.com.sg. Pedri’s creativity and work-rate were key to Spain’s game plan.
• Lamine Yamal (Spain) – The prodigious 17-year-old winger had a quieter night than expected. He took on defenders and tried to stretch Portugal’s defense, but found little space. Reports noted he “struggled to make inroads” in this gameespn.com.sg. He was eventually substituted in extra time. Yamal’s fierce competitiveness was noted, even though he couldn’t directly change the scoreline.
• Álvaro Morata (Spain) – The captain and striker put in a typically hard-working shift, pressing and linking play. However, he will remember the match for a missed penalty, which proved decisiveespn.com.sg. Otherwise, he led by example on the pitch.
• Rúben Neves (Portugal) – The midfielder quietly did the organizational work in Portugal’s half. While he didn’t grab headlines in open play, he calmly dispatched the winning penalty kickespn.com.sgaljazeera.com, securing the trophy for Portugal.

Other contributors included Bruno Fernandes (Portugal), who battled in midfield and helped build attacks (though one pass loss led to Oyarzabal’s goal), and Fabián Ruiz (Spain), who helped dominate possession with precise passing. Goalkeepers were solid: Portugal’s Diogo Costa made three key saves and stopped Morata’s penalty, while Spain’s Unai Simón made a couple of early stops when called upon.

Fans and Social Media Reaction

The match generated an immediate buzz online:

• Portuguese fans erupted in celebration. Videos of Ronaldo’s tearful victory moment went viral, with supporters hailing him as a heroespn.com.sg. Social media filled with clips of the shootout and cheers of “É campeão!” (He’s champion!) across X (Twitter) and Instagram.
• Spanish fans felt the sting of defeat but recognized their team’s grit. Many praised Spain’s unbeaten run and defended their players, lamenting Morata’s miss. Others pointed out Portugal’s efficiency and Ronaldo’s brilliance.
• A hot topic was Lamine Yamal’s post-match conduct. Clip on X showed Yamal walking off without applauding the victors, and some fans criticized him for this perceived disrespectsportbible.com. One user wrote, “LAMINE YAMAL REFUSES TO CLAP FOR PORTUGAL,” sparking debate. Other fans quickly defended Yamal, noting that “he’s just 17” and pointing out that multiple Spanish players appeared disappointedsportbible.com. The incident led to hundreds of comments, exemplifying how every detail was scrutinized online.
• Hashtags like #NationsLeagueFinal and #PorEsp trended as supporters shared highlights and memes. Both sides’ fan accounts discussed tactical decisions, star performances, and even minor controversies (like Yamal’s reaction). Despite the outcome, many fans praised the high quality of the contest, calling it a “classic” Iberian showdown.

External Links

• UEFA Nations League Final Highlights: Watch the full highlights of the Portugal 2-2 Spain final (with Portugal winning on penalties) on the official UEFA site here.
• Full Match Stats: Detailed statistics for Portugal vs Spain (Nations League Final 2025) are available on ESPN here.

This dramatic final between Portugal and Spain will be remembered for its high drama, tactical battle, and standout moments – especially Ronaldo’s historic goal and emotional victory lap. The 2-2 draw, completed by Portugal’s penalty triumph, adds another chapter to the storied rivalry of these two Iberian giantsespn.com.sgsi.com.