Forty-year-old Ronaldo is not dead yetQuarter-finals, semifinals, crazy performance → There is nothing more pleasing than winning the Portuguese Nations League

Jun 09, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal have reached the top of Europe.

Portugal won the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, at 4 a.m. on the 9th (Korea time) after drawing 2-2 until overtime. It is the second Nations League championship in Portuguese history.

Portugal played in the 4-2-3-1 format. Ronaldo was placed at the front line, and Pedro Netu, Bruno Fernandes and Chico Concei-Sang were located at the second line. The midfield was led by Bernardu Silva and Vitinya, while the defense consisted of Nunu Mendes, Gonsalu Inasiu, Huven Dias and João Neves. The goal was guarded by Giogu Costa.

Spain faced Portugal in a 4-3-3 formation. Nico Williams, Mikel Oyarsabal and Ramin Yamal were in front, with Fabian Lewis, Pedri and Martin Subimendi in midfield. Marc Cucurella, Dean Huysen, Robain-Renormand and Oscar Minguesa were on the defense, and Unai Simone defended the goal.

Since the beginning of the first half, both teams have exchanged opportunities. João Neves missed a decisive shot in the fifth minute of the first half in a chance made by Silva. It was Spain that fought back. Pedri failed to save Nico Williams' pass in the 15th minute of the first half. Two minutes later, Nico's direct shot was also canceled.

In the 21st minute of the first half, Subimendi scored the first goal taking advantage of a Portuguese defense mistake. João Neves lightly pushed a ball that was not properly cleared from the penalty box.

But five minutes later, Portugal brought the game to square one. Nunu Mendes, who received Pedro Netu's pass from the left, responded with a left-footed shot after a bold dribble breakthrough, bringing the game back to square one.

Spain took the lead again. Just before the end of the first half, Portugal's defensive concentration was shaken for a moment. Spain launched a counterattack. Genius midfielder Pedri stabbed Oyarsabal, who calmly scored.

Portugal struck a balance once again in the second half. In the 16th minute of the second half, Nunu Mendes came forward again this time. After a bold individual breakthrough, he crossed. Ronaldo ended this by overcoming Cucurella's checks. It was his 938th career goal.

With the situation 2 to 2, the game was headed for extra time. Ronaldo's injury was one of the variables that broke out in Portugal. Ronaldo slumped on the pitch at the end of the game and sent a replacement sign to the bench. The absence of captain and leader Ronaldo could be fatal for Portugal.

From Portugal's point of view, fortunately, Spain's counterattack did not increase. They couldn't attack each other properly in overtime. It was a game played after the end of the season, and the players' physical strength had already been depleted in a tight schedule.

In the end, the final joy and sorrow were divided in the penalty shootout. Both teams made it from kickers 1 to 3, but Spain's Alvaro Morata stepped up as the fourth kicker and was blocked by Costa, giving Portugal a chance to win. João Neves, the last kicker, shook the net and Portugal reached the top of Europe.

Portugal, which won the first tournament in the 2018-2019 season, won again in six years. For Ronaldo, this victory must have meant more than just a trophy. Sitting on the bench during the shootout, he couldn't watch the situation properly with his face on Diogo Dalot's shoulder as if he couldn't overcome the tension. As soon as Portugal's victory was confirmed, he burst into a holdout. I hugged my colleagues in tears, and enjoyed the joy of crying like a child.

Ronaldo said after the match, `Nothing is happier than Portugal's victory. It's okay to break your leg." He showed his love for his country. In fact, Ronaldo was injured during the warm-up, but he endured it and burned himself until the end of the second half.

Although the Nations League is not yet as high as the World Cup or other continental cups around the world, it was a tear that showed how sincere Ronaldo is in football. Even at an unexpected age, Ronaldo did not win the title only with the help of his teammates. Ronaldo also scored in the second leg of the quarterfinals against Denmark, the semifinals against Germany, and this final. From the Nations League group stage, Ronaldo still showed off his skills by scoring eight goals and one assist in nine games.

Ronaldo was at the center of the team at the awards ceremony. He shared his joy with the players by lifting the trophy quickly, and he enjoyed the joy of reaching the top of the European Nations League for the second time. It is Ronaldo's third career national team trophy. Ronaldo, who won his first Euro 2016, also experienced a Nations League win in 2019.

Portugal has a distinctly different era before and after Ronaldo. Until Ronaldo, the country that had never won any tournament had reached the top of Europe three times since Ronaldo. Ronaldo is expected to run next year for the last remaining World Cup piece.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.