Neves clinches National League glory after thrilling final

Portugal clinched the Nations League title for the second time as they were twice came from behind to beat neighbours Spain on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in Munich.

Roberto Martinez’s men were on the back foot early on and fell behind to Martin Zubimendi’s 22nd-minute opener, only for the magnificent Nuno Mendes to quickly answer with a superb equaliser.

Mikel Oyarzabal restored Spain’s advantage on the stroke of half-time, but Cristiano Ronaldo made his seemingly inevitable impact on the final by volleying his 139th international goal to level matters once more just after the hour mark.

Ronaldo was forced off by injury late on, but international football’s greatest goalscorer was able to cry tears of joy after Diogo Costa saved from Alvaro Morata and Ruben Neves calmly slotted the decisive penalty into the bottom-left corner as Portugal recaptured the crown they first won in 2019, becoming the first team to win the trophy twice.

Portugal v Spain

Both sides spurned presentable chances in the early going, Joao Neves volleying wide from close range for Portugal before Pedri sliced off target at the other end from Nico Williams’ cutback.

Williams curled narrowly over the crossbar as Spain unsurprisingly dictated possession, with their superiority in that regard turned into the opening goal.

Classically intricate build-up play ended with Zubimendi given the simple task of slotting into an empty net after Lamine Yamal’s exquisite ball into the box caused chaos in the Portugal defence, the goal allowed to stand by VAR despite claims Oyarzaball had impeded Ruben Dias from an offside position.

It took Portugal just four minutes to respond in style as Mendes burst into the Spain box and produced a vicious low drive that left Unai Simon with no chance.

Just as it looked as if Portugal would go into the interval on level terms, they were undone by a piece of brilliance from Pedri, who surged through midfield before finding Oyarzabal with a perfectly timed and perfectly weighted pass, the scorer of the winning goal in the Euro 2024 final making no mistake in flicking the ball beyond Diogo Costa.

Portugal brought on Nelson Semedo and Ruben Neves after half-time as Joao Neves and Francisco Conceicao saw their involvement ended early by Roberto Martinez, who saw his side restore parity again 16 minutes into the second half.

Mendes was to the fore again, leaving Yamal trailing in his wake with an outstanding run down the left, with his low cross looping up into the path of Ronaldo to turn home from point-blank range.

Spain substitute Isco drew a fingertip save from Costa with a long-range effort and, after Ronaldo was forced off, Bruno Fernandes threatened to win it injury time with a free-kick that forced Simon into action.

Those saves ensured an engrossing contest was sent to an extra half hour, which was comparatively light on chances despite Rafael Leao’s continued joy attacking down the left, Diogo Jota heading well over at the conclusion of the additional period in what marked the best opportunity of extra time.

Jota was not left to rue that miss, however, as Morata’s poor penalty was followed by a confident one from Ruben Neves to spark delirious Portugal celebration and deliver a big boost to Martinez amid speculation over his future as coach.