She became the only two-time winner of the tournament.
After a brilliant semifinal against France, Spain looked like a favorite in the decisive match. The problems the Spanish encountered at the end of the match against the French were not meant to be a problem, as they almost lost their four-goal advantage and won 5-4. Portugal had no fewer problems against Germany – I had to include willpower, recovery, and a 2-1 victory.
Continuing the Flight
The first half of the final match was more of a continuation of the Spanish national team’s semifinal performance. Luis de La Fuente’s midfielders flew into the attack, controlled the ball better, and created more threats, which was clearly reflected in the statistics: 58% possession, seven shots to two. The mid-half was particularly shocking, as the Portuguese were pressed to the goal, and the Spaniards created moment after moment. This attack logically became a heated attack.
And if in a match with France, Spain had a beautiful goal, then there were no bumps and ricochets. Martin Subimeni dragged the ball, passed it to Lamin Yamal, who hooked it to the goalkeeper, where a small circus ensued. Ruben Diash was ahead of his goalkeeper and Michel Oyarsabal, throwing the ball away. To prevent Nico Williams from reaching it, Joau Neva pushed where his eyes were looking, but it ended up at the same Subimeni, who hit an empty goal.
Such a development seemed logical. But Portugal’s swift response was not. Nonu Mendes appeared unexpectedly, taking advantage of the prolonged commotion that had stretched everyone out. He took the ball and brazenly charged into the penalty area, then no less brazenly into the far corner and struck. No one really understood how it happened. The missed goal didn’t break Spain’s rut, although the game began to freeze more often in the center of the field.
Before the break, De La Fuente’s side scored their second goal. Pedri broke up the attack in the center and delivered a penetrating pass to Oyarsabal, who struck the goalkeeper in contact while fighting with the defender. The Portuguese fiercely contested the goal, as Bernard Silva later got into a fight with Robin Le Norman. However, VAR didn’t detect any violations there. Incidentally, the video assistants took a short break after each goal, as in all cases, there was a potential for complaints. For example, in the first case, they reviewed the offside issue against Oyarsabal, who was involved but not actively involved in the incident. In the second case, they reviewed the offside issue against Ronaldo, the player who started the shitty combination. In favor of the goal, VAR reviewed the third case.
The fuse is over.
Even with Thim, the first half ended in favor of the Spanish national team, it was noticeable that it was far from the freshness and attacking form it displayed in the semifinals. Nico Williams and Lamin Yamal still stretched the opponent’s defense, but it wasn’t as dramatic, and sometimes they made a play, like their attacking partners. And here, it’s necessary to note the most decisive actions of Roberto Martinez. Although this is understandable – his team had to be recovered. He didn’t continue to torment the inverted Joau’s defense on the flank, removing him from the field. He also left the game Franciska Conseisau, who broke the flow of the meeting with Germany, appearing from the bench. Apparently, Martinez put him in the starting line in vain – from the first minutes Shiku disappeared, it failed to have an explosive effect, as happens when he appears to be a substitute. The Portuguese’s permutations, coupled with the decline of the Spanish, who have lost their pace and gravitas, have led to the logical Blue now being in the gates of Spain. Moreover, once again, he stirred up trouble with his sudden inclusion of Mendes. His penalty area cover was interrupted by Le Norman, but Rikosht was handy for Ronaldo, who won the position from Kurukel to Mark and struck through. This is his 138th goal for the national team, and the record continues to rise.
Afterwards, the fatigue factor already affected the game. Both teams clearly lost their strength. But this happened more quickly with the Spanish. De La Fuante’s first substitutions began only in the 75th minute. At that point, Portugal had four substitutions. And, it seems, the variability of Martinez’s substitutions turned out to be greater. The Spanish substitutions did not strengthen the team’s play, but on the contrary, made it more predictable and simple. By the way, in the semifinal against France, also after Spain’s substitution, they turned off and lost control of the game. We can say that in the final part of the League of Nations, it was this factor that became the key and determined the Spanish football team. Their possession of the ball became increasingly sterile, and there was less and less seriousness. Portugal seemed the better side, though they didn’t create any breathtaking attacks either. Let’s just say their football was more consistent and steady, and the substitutions added new colors without disrupting any rhythm or pattern.
The Post-Match Series
Somehow, the teams reached the penalty series. It was the second in their entire relationship. The previous one occurred at Euro 2012, and then Spain had more success. Now, Portugal got lucky. Only one shot in the series wasn’t capitalized, and that happened with Alvaro Morata’s attempt, who was substituted. He couldn’t play Dioga Koshtu.
This victory was Portugal’s first over Spain since 2010. The Spanish team’s impressive winning streak was also interrupted, losing for the first time in their last 20 matches. Despite his solid age, Ronaldo showed he still had a hunger for trophies and was worried about every moment. He had to leave the field in the 88th minute due to injury. In the penalty shootout, he hid his face behind his teammates to avoid worrying too much, and after the winning whistle, he burst into tears of happiness. This is the 34th trophy of Cristiano’s career. And his third with the national team, which won Euro 2016 and the Nations League in 2019 and 2025. Incidentally, they are now the only team with two victories in this tournament.
Portugal national team
Portugal national team
