Portugal 2 Spain 2 (5-3 pens): Tearful Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, wins third international trophy as Morata misses penalty
PORTUGAL tasted Nations League glory for a second time with Cristiano Ronaldo playing a starring role – and Chelsea flop Alvaro Morata the villain.
After winning the inaugural 2019 edition, Roberto Martinez's men are champions once more in a thrilling finale in Munich, fighting back twice to draw level against reigning European champions Spain.
9
Portugal beat Spain 5-3 on penalties in the Nations League final
9
Cristiano Ronaldo broke down in tears after Ruben Neves scored the last spot-kick
9
Diogo Costa saved Alvaro Morata's penalty
And Spain's Morata missed his spot-kick for Ruben Neves to slot home the winner.
Both nations were vying to become the first to lift the Nations League twice.
A slow start was thrust into life by a
READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
Yamal at the heart of it, his delicious cross was made a mess of by a scrambling Portugal defence, allowing soon-to-be
Spain were 4-0 up after 55 minutes in their 5-4 semi thriller against
France
last week, but
It ended with Mendes firing low into the bottom corner in the 26th minute, but not before a VAR check that judged
Ronaldo
to have timed his run to perfection.
The final say of the first half was Spain's.
Most read in Football
9
Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring in the 21st minute
9
Nuno Mendes levelled the scores within five minutes
9
Mikel Oyarzabal made it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time
9
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
hearts
in the
Euros
final in Berlin last
summer
producing another big goal in Munich.
Martinez responded by bringing on Neves and Nelson Semedo at the break, and it almost had an instant impact as
Bruno
Fernandes had a 49th minute strike ruled out for offside.
Cristiano Ronaldo's bodyguard Hichman Bukhari talks about the risks of protecting the football superstar
An equaliser was coming and
Ronaldo
reacted first to a deflected looped cross that bamboozled
He hobbled off with a muscular injury in the 88th minute, while Yamal was subbed in the 106th minute, as the game became niggly with a
VAR
red-check following a mass melee.
Goncalo Ramos,
Vitinha
, Bruno Fernandes and Nuno Mendes all slotted home their penalties before Neves became the hero.
9
Ronaldo equalised in the 61st minute - his 138rd international goal
9
Ronaldo limped off injured in the the 87th minute
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
3 hours ago
- Sunday World
Damien Duff quits as Shelbourne boss and sends shockwaves through League of Ireland
duff bombshell | The Ireland legend decided he could offer no more to the side who claimed the Premier Division title last season. Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile The statement released by the reigning League of Ireland Premier Division champions on Sunday confirmed the former Ireland and Chelsea star who led Shels to the title last season has decided he could offer no more to the team after a 1-0 defeat against Derry City on Friday night. 'Shelbourne FC regretfully wishes to announce the departure of Damien Duff as first team manager,' read the club statement. 'Damien informed the club this morning that, after much thought, he has made the decision to resign. He shared the news with the players earlier today. 'While all at Shelbourne FC are deeply saddened by Damien's decision, we fully respect that he feels this is the right choice for him at this time. Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd 'During his four extraordinary years at Tolka Park, Damien transformed Shelbourne Football Club both on and off the pitch. 'Appointed in November 2021, he took over a newly promoted side and rebuilt it from the ground up. Duff guided Shels to a seventh-place finish and a first FAI Cup Final appearance since 2011 in that debut season. The following year, in 2023, a fourth-place finish brought the Reds back to European competition for the first time in 18 years. 'In 2024, Duff led the Reds to one of the greatest triumphs in the club's 130-year history, clinching the League of Ireland Premier Division title, our first since 2006. On the final day we went to Derry, where a 1-0 win at the Brandywell secured the title in dramatic fashion, marking Shels return to the summit of Irish football. 'The club wishes Damien and his family every happiness and success in the future. His impact on Shelbourne FC was transformational. He will always be one of our own, and we are eternally grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our club. 'Joey O'Brien and the coaching staff will take charge for tomorrow's trip to the RSC to face Waterford and will prepare the team for Friday's away fixture against Galway United.' Duff's decision to step down was a shock, despite his scathing criticism of team following the defeat against Derry. 'I prepared for the game like I was a professional footballer,' said Duff on Friday night. 'My wife probably cursed me at times. Three-hour siesta, ate really well, focused my mind. I would like to really, really know how many of my players prepared like me or as well as me, which is damning. 'There was a severe lack of energy, real flatness, severe lack of quality and you are going to get nowhere. I don't accept that that's our third game in a week. Never have, never will until the day I die. If you are an amazing pro you bounce into the night. Even if you are a bit tired, a bit flat, drag yourself along, give yourself a talking to. 'That's where you have to be an amazing pro, an elite pro, a pro that belongs in the Champions League which are strange words for me to say at the minute. 'Did I smell it on Thursday? Of course! It (training) was awful. It all comes from within, your energy, your motivation, how good a professional you are. 'I don't mind saying it again, because it is absolutely true. It's my energy that has driven the players for four years. I've offered them the dressing room for them to lead this show, this steam train. They've never really done it. Again, tonight, it's me shouting and screaming. Joe (O'Brien – assistant) shouting and screaming. We had a real energy because we were highly motivated men, prepared well and I didn't feel that spark, that energy off the players. 'You're all probably saying 'here he goes again'. I'm trying to drag the team, trying to wake them up, but they never woke up. 'For three years, we've been an incredibly motivated team. If you had a bad night it was a given that you get a reaction. As I told the lads upstairs, I don't know (if there will be one in Waterford on Monday). You never know with us anymore, which is damning. It's damning on me because I'm the manager. 'To become champions again, you have to be hungrier than last year, you have to work harder than last year, and again if you ask that question to our guys, I'm not sure how many would say yes, I smelled these type of issues in pre season. 'I thought I would come back and the dressing room would drive itself, because there's big characters, there's champions in there. It didn't. It's not driven by the players. It's driven by me. And like I said to Darren (Cleary – press officer), you can grab every player down here now and ask the same question: 'Is it Duffer that drives everything?' 'It is, and it gets tiring, but most importantly, it gets frustrating. Yeah, I'm there to help and coach and pick the best teams. I don't think it's the manager that should drive a dressing room that still is.'
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea asked to explain relationship with controversial ticket website Todd Boehly part-owns after fan fury
CHELSEA have been asked to explain their relationship with ticket resale site Vivid Seats after fan fury towards Todd Boehly. Blues co-owner Advertisement 3 Chelsea have been asked to explain their relationship with ticket resale site Vivid Seats after fan fury towards Todd Boehly Credit: Alamy 3 Premier League CEO Richard Masters has confirmed that the league have written to Chelsea about the issue Credit: Getty The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) wrote to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters in March Blues supporters also said Boehly's position felt like a "breach of trust" and a "clear conflict of interest". Vivid Seats, who often sell tickets at inflated rates, is The league has even told fans to "exercise extreme caution" when purchasing from Vivid Seats. Advertisement READ MORE ON CHELSEA Masters met with the Football Supporters Association last month and revealed the Premier League have now contacted The minutes from the meeting between the FSA and Masters, which included CST vice-chair Dom Rosso, read: "RM [Masters] confirmed the PL had written to Chelsea to seek clarification on the club's position with the matter ongoing. "RM advised the PL would reply to CST once the PL had concluded its discussions with the club." Chelsea took strong action against ticket touts earlier this season. Advertisement Most read in Football Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge They told supporters in an email that they had cancelled 1,500 membership accounts where a link to ticket touting had been identified. Chelsea have been contacted for comment. 3 Advertisement
Extra.ie
6 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Damien Duff quits as Shelbourne manager just 24 hours before key league clash
Damien Duff has made a shock exit from his role as manager of League of Ireland champions Shelbourne, just a day before the club's Premier Division clash with Waterford. Duff's resignation also comes just two weeks ahead of Shelbourne's crucial Champions League qualifier against Linfield. It is understood that players were informed of his decision during a meeting on Sunday morning. The club, who currently sit sixth in the table and trail Shamrock Rovers by 15 points, confirmed the news in a statement released on Sunday. Damien Duff has made a shock exit from his role as manager of League of Ireland champions Shelbourne, just a day before the club's Premier Division clash with Waterford. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile Duff, a former Republic of Ireland international, took over at Tolka Park in 2022 in what was his first senior management role. Under his leadership, Shelbourne ended Shamrock Rovers' dominance last season by claiming their first league title in 18 years. However, they have struggled to replicate that form this season, and suffered a 1-0 defeat to Derry City on Friday night. In a statement, Shelbourne paid tribute to Duff's contribution over his four-year tenure: 'While all at Shelbourne FC are deeply saddened by Damien's decision, we fully respect that he feels this is the right choice for him at this time. Duff, a former Republic of Ireland international, took over at Tolka Park in 2022 in what was his first senior management role. Pic: INPHO/Tom Maher 'During his four extraordinary years at Tolka Park, Damien transformed Shelbourne Football Club both on and off the pitch. 'Appointed in November 2021, he took over a newly promoted side and rebuilt it from the ground up. Duff guided Shels to a seventh-place finish and a first FAI Cup Final appearance since 2011 in that debut season. 'The following year, in 2023, a fourth-place finish brought the Reds back to European competition for the first time in 18 years. 'In 2024, Duff led the Reds to one of the greatest triumphs in the club's 130-year history, clinching the League of Ireland Premier Division. 'The club wishes Damien and his family every happiness and success in the future. His impact on Shelbourne FC was transformational. He will always be one of our own, and we are eternally grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our club.' Shelbourne also confirmed that assistant coach Joey O'Brien and the existing coaching staff will lead the team for Monday's trip to the RSC to face Waterford, and prepare for Friday's fixture away to Galway United.
