Izuchukwu Okosi
Portugal on Sunday night were crowned the 2025 UEFA Nations League champions as they defeated Spain 5-3 after penalties.
The final had ended 2-2 in 120 minutes of octane football which needed the lottery of the spot kicks to decide the winners.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPortugal were the inaugural winners of the competition in 2019 and the victory in Munich marks the second time they will be winning the competition.
Arsenal-bound Martin Zubimendi put the Spaniards ahead in the 21st minute before Nuno Mendes, the Player of the Match and the competition in general, equalised five minutes later.
Mikel Oryazabal restored Spain’s lead but Cristiano Ronaldo ensured that there would be parity in the 61st minute with the leveller.
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There was no further goals in regulation time as well as the extra 30 minutes that ensued leading to the spot kicks.
Ronaldo, who had been subbed off could barely watch and was in tears of joy when the final whistle was blown.
Goncalvo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and Ruben Neves were the penalty takers for Portugal.
Portugal greats like Luis Figo and Pepe were in the stadium to support the present generation of stars. Also in the stands was Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese coach who has worked with some of the players in the past.
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Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
