Portugal emerged victorious in the UEFA Nations League final, defeating Spain 5-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Allianz Arena on Sunday.
The match went into extra time after both teams were deadlocked at the end of regular time. Mikel Oyarzabal and Martín Zubimendi found the net for Spain, while Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Portugal during the 120 minutes of play.
Ronaldo Adds to Goal Tally
Cristiano Ronaldo continued his impressive form in the tournament, adding to his goal tally which now stands at eight goals. Despite his prolific scoring, the Portuguese captain finished second in the top scorers' chart behind Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres, who netted nine goals throughout the competition.
Following the victory, Ronaldo expressed his joy, stating: "What a joy, duty done." The Portuguese star also added a lighthearted comment about his family connections to Spain, saying: "My children are Spanish, they'll respect me now after Portugal beat Spain."
Nations League Top Scorers
The final UEFA Nations League top scorers list is as follows:
Viktor Gyokeres (Sweden) – 9 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 8 goals
Erling Haaland (Norway) and Georges Mikautadze (Georgia) – 7 goals each
Răzvan Marin (Romania) – 6 goals
Spanish Reaction
The defeat has left Spain captain Alvaro Morata uncertain about his international future. After missing his penalty in the shootout, Morata expressed doubts about continuing to play for the national team.
Spain coach De la Fuente also faced questions about his decision to substitute 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal during the match, explaining that the young player's age was a factor in the decision.
The tournament's conclusion may also impact the upcoming Ballon d'Or rankings, with Yamal's chances potentially affected by Spain's defeat in the final.
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior sent a congratulatory message to Ronaldo after the match, praising the Portuguese legend's winning mentality.
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