If you were looking for a calm Sunday evening on June 8, 2025, the Iberian Derby was basically the worst place to find it. The Allianz Arena in Munich was vibrating. Fans were draped in red and gold or green and red, screaming themselves hoarse. Everyone wanted to know: in the clash of Spain vs Portugal who won the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League?
Portugal won.
But saying "Portugal won" is like saying the Titanic had a bit of a water problem. It was a chaotic, beautiful, and heart-wrenching mess of a match that ended 2–2 after extra time, only to be settled by a 5–3 penalty shootout.
The Night Portugal Reclaimed the Throne
This wasn't just any game. It was a battle for the history books. Spain entered the pitch as the defending champions and the favorites, especially after they had just dismantled France 5–4 in a semifinal that felt more like a basketball game. Portugal, meanwhile, was riding the wave of what many believe to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final tournament cycle.
The game kicked off with Spain looking exactly like the Spain we know—dominating the ball, moving it like a pinball machine.
Breaking the Deadlock
In the 21st minute, it happened. Lamine Yamal, the teenager who seems to play with the composure of a 40-year-old, whipped in a cross that caused absolute panic in the Portuguese box. Rúben Dias tried to clear it, but the ball fell right to Martín Zubimendi.
1–0 Spain. Honestly, it felt like Spain might just run away with it. They had 61% possession throughout the night. They were suffocating Portugal. But then, Nuno Mendes decided to turn on the jets. Just five minutes later, he surged down the left, ignored every Spanish defender in his path, and rifled a low shot past Unai Simón.
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Suddenly, it was 1–1.
What Happened Right Before Half Time?
If you blinked, you missed the momentum shift. Just before the whistle, Pedri threaded a pass that was so precise it probably should have been illegal. It found Mikel Oyarzabal, who did what he does best: finished it with clinical coldness. Spain went into the locker room 2–1 up.
But you can never, ever count out a team with Ronaldo.
In the 61st minute, Nuno Mendes—who was easily the Man of the Match—whipped in another cross. It took a deflection off Robin Le Normand and landed right at the feet of Cristiano Ronaldo at the back post. He didn't miss.
2–2. That goal was his 138th international goal. Think about that for a second. The man is a machine.
The Drama of the Penalty Shootout
Extra time was a cagey affair. Players were cramping. Ronaldo actually had to come off with an injury toward the end, which had every Portuguese fan biting their nails. When the referee blew the final whistle after 120 minutes, the scoreboard still read 2–2.
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Then came the penalties.
- Portugal: Gonçalo Ramos scores.
- Spain: Mikel Merino scores.
- Portugal: Vitinha scores.
- Spain: Álex Baena scores.
- Portugal: Bruno Fernandes scores.
- Spain: Isco scores.
- Portugal: Nuno Mendes scores.
The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Then stepped up Álvaro Morata. He’s had a complicated relationship with the Spanish national team, and this night didn't help. Diogo Costa, the Portuguese keeper who has become a shootout specialist, guessed right and saved it.
Rúben Neves stepped up for the final kick. He didn't hesitate. He hammered it home, and Portugal became the first-ever two-time winners of the UEFA Nations League.
Head-to-Head: Why This Rivalry is Different
When people search for Spain vs Portugal who won, they aren't just looking for one scoreline. They're looking at a rivalry that has spanned over 100 years.
Historically, Spain has the edge. Out of 41 meetings, Spain has won 17 times, while Portugal has won only 6. There have been a staggering 18 draws. This tells you everything you need to know about the Iberian Derby—it’s almost always tight.
Remember the 2018 World Cup in Sochi? That 3–3 draw with the Ronaldo hat-trick? Or the 2010 World Cup when David Villa’s goal (which was slightly offside, let’s be real) sent Spain on their way to the title? This 2025 final was the latest chapter in a book that never gets boring.
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Recent Encounters (2020-2025)
- June 2025: Portugal 2–2 Spain (Portugal wins 5–3 on pens)
- September 2022: Portugal 0–1 Spain
- June 2022: Spain 1–1 Portugal
- June 2021: Spain 0–0 Portugal
- October 2020: Portugal 0–0 Spain
Notice a pattern? Until this recent 2025 explosion of goals, these two were specialized in drawing against each other. They know each other too well. Many of these players are teammates at the club level in the Premier League or La Liga.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following these two teams heading into the next big tournament cycle, here's what you need to keep an eye on:
- Portugal's New Guard: While Ronaldo gets the headlines, players like Nuno Mendes and Vitinha are the ones actually driving the engine now.
- Spain's Finishing Problem: Despite having 16 shots to Portugal's 7 in the 2025 final, Spain couldn't kill the game. This has been an ongoing issue under Luis de la Fuente.
- Watch the Youth: Lamine Yamal is the real deal. Even in a loss, his performance showed he will be the face of Spanish football for the next decade.
The 2025 Nations League final proved that while Spain might have the ball, Portugal often has the grit. If you missed the game, go find the highlights of the Nuno Mendes performance—it was a masterclass in modern fullback play.
For more updates on upcoming fixtures or to see where these teams rank in the latest FIFA standings, check out the official UEFA or FIFA websites.
Next Step: You can look into the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers to see when these two giants might cross paths again.