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Portugal crowned UEFA Nations League champions after scrappy final with Spain
Portugal have won the UEFA Nations League after the pair couldn't be separated until penalty kicks in Munich on Sunday evening
Portugal have won the UEFA Nations League, beating Spain on penalties
The eyes of the footballing world descended Munich on Sunday evening as the European champions had some gloss taken off their golden team.
Luis de la Fuente's side were at their slick best against their Iberian rivals in the first half, pinging the ball around in triangles leaving Portugal at sea.
And they took a well deserved lead in the first half as Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi cut them apart with the help of Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal.
Yamal, 17, was glistening on the biggest of stages as he flicked the ball into the direction of the onrushing midfielder, who just had to turn the ball into an open net.
Portugal were quick to hit back through Nuno Mendes, but any chances of a quick one-two blow were dashed by a lengthy VAR check.
Instead, Spain would be ahead before the interval as Oyarzabal got in on the act.
Portugal came out of the blocks the quicker of the two teams in the second-half, with Bruno Fernandes even wrong-footing Unai Simón to sweep the ball home - but Pedro Neto was ruled offside in the build-up.
And the Spanish resolve was tested as Portugal grew and grew into the game. The European champions started to wilt as Portugal's grit was on full display.
Nuno Mendes burnt past Yamal, benefitting from a defensive mix-up, before launching the ball into the box - where Ronaldo was waiting.
He only needs one chance in most game, and Ronaldo sticks the ball into the back of the net better than most.
The 90 minutes came and went, and so too did extra-time as the match that had started with slick passing descended into a scrappy affair that could only be separated by penalty kicks.
It was Alvaro Morata who fluffed his lines, putting Portugal within one spot-kick of taking the title.
And Ruben Neves didn't need a second invitation.
Spain, dressed in a shade of yellow that might as well have been gold, had to settle for silver.
Daily Star Sunday
Portugal have won the UEFA Nations League after the pair couldn't be separated until penalty kicks in Munich on Sunday evening
Portugal have won the UEFA Nations League, beating Spain on penalties
The eyes of the footballing world descended Munich on Sunday evening as the European champions had some gloss taken off their golden team.
Luis de la Fuente's side were at their slick best against their Iberian rivals in the first half, pinging the ball around in triangles leaving Portugal at sea.
And they took a well deserved lead in the first half as Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi cut them apart with the help of Mikel Oyarzabal and Lamine Yamal.
Yamal, 17, was glistening on the biggest of stages as he flicked the ball into the direction of the onrushing midfielder, who just had to turn the ball into an open net.
Portugal were quick to hit back through Nuno Mendes, but any chances of a quick one-two blow were dashed by a lengthy VAR check.
Instead, Spain would be ahead before the interval as Oyarzabal got in on the act.
Portugal came out of the blocks the quicker of the two teams in the second-half, with Bruno Fernandes even wrong-footing Unai Simón to sweep the ball home - but Pedro Neto was ruled offside in the build-up.
And the Spanish resolve was tested as Portugal grew and grew into the game. The European champions started to wilt as Portugal's grit was on full display.
Nuno Mendes burnt past Yamal, benefitting from a defensive mix-up, before launching the ball into the box - where Ronaldo was waiting.
He only needs one chance in most game, and Ronaldo sticks the ball into the back of the net better than most.
The 90 minutes came and went, and so too did extra-time as the match that had started with slick passing descended into a scrappy affair that could only be separated by penalty kicks.
It was Alvaro Morata who fluffed his lines, putting Portugal within one spot-kick of taking the title.
And Ruben Neves didn't need a second invitation.
Spain, dressed in a shade of yellow that might as well have been gold, had to settle for silver.
Daily Star Sunday