As a die-hard football lover, nothing could have hyped me more than the UEFA Nations League Finals. It was the most anticipated match worldwide since last week.
Photo Credit: @UEFAEURO on X
It wasn’t just any match. It was 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, possibly in his last Nations League final, facing off against 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, the future of Spain. The stage was set for history.
Photo Credit: @UEFAEURO on X
I Was really Nervous and Hyped at the same time.
The Match was so Heated and Fascinating, I had to Create a Content on the Summary of what happened in the UEFA Nations Finals.
June 8th 7pm UTC, was the kick off of the UEFA Nations finals.
Portugal has shown mixed results in their last 5 matches, with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, scoring an average of 2.2 goals per game. Spain, on the other hand, is in excellent form, remaining unbeaten in their last 5 matches with 3 wins and 2 draws, averaging 2.8 goals per game.
Portugal XI: Costa; J.Neves, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, B.Silva, B. Fernandes; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto
Spain XI: Simon; Mingueza, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri, Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams.
The match kicked off with Portugal dominating possession and piling pressure on Spain’s defense. The energy was electric you could feel both sides knew what was at stake.
Spain struck first. A quick buildup saw Zubimendi sneak in and tap in, putting Spain 1-0 up.
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But Portugal didn’t back down.
Just five minutes later, Nuno Mendes replied with a stunner! The game was level again, 1-1.
GAME ON!
Nuno Mendes really shut down Mo Salah, Bukayo Saka and Lamine Yamal in the same season. Not to mention, no other defender scored more goals in the UCL this campaign. Actually the best LB in the world at this point
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As halftime approached, Spain pushed again.
Right before the whistle, Mikel Oyarzabal found the net, putting Spain back in the lead 2-1.
Second Half Started, Portugal came back re-energized in the second half. A few substitutions was made to bring in fresh legs
The moment everyone was waiting for. Cristiano Ronaldo, at 40 years old, smashed in the equalizer. 2-2, and the stadium erupted. What a legend!
Cristiano Ronaldo still adding to his international goal scoring record, 138 Goals for Portugal.
Photo Credit: @UEFAEURO on X
From there on, it felt like a tactical chess match. Neither side wanted to make a mistake. Substitutions rolled in. Ronaldo was subbed later and full-time ended 2-2.
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30 more minutes to determine the Winner.
Extra Time started Tension everywhere.
Lamine Yamal was subbed of, Portuguese LB Nuno Mendes man marked him down, Which made Yamal Ghost throughout the game. He left the Pitch Looking frustrated and Clueless
Portugal controlled the game, but Spain’s defense held strong. Still no winner.
On to Penalties.
Mikel Oryazabal has scored 40 out of 45 penalties in his career and was taken off 9 minutes to the shootout. Absurd decision
The pressure was insane. Every fan, every player, every coach all eyes on the spot, and all hopes on the Goalkeepers and Penalty takers.
Portugal’s Penalty Takers:
Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, Rúben Neves
Spain’s Penalty Takers:
Mikel Merino, Álex Baena, Isco, Álvaro Morata
All penalties were flawless… except one.
Morata stepped up… and missed!
His shot was brilliantly saved by Diogo Costa!
Portugal won 5-3 on penalties.
Portugal Lifts the Trophy
Portugal had never lifted a trophy before Cristiano Ronaldo but with him they won three
He didn’t just rewrite history, he defined it.
Portugal have now won more trophies in the last decade than any other European nation
Tears. Applause. Emotion.
Spain showed class, applauding the Winners as Portugal lifted the UEFA Nations League Cup.
