If you were watching the Allianz Arena on that humid June night, you saw more than just a football match. You saw a 40-year-old icon in tears and a penalty shootout that felt like it lasted a lifetime. Portugal won the Nations League 2025, edging out Spain in a brutal, 120-minute tug-of-war that ended with the scoreboard frozen at 2-2 before the chaos of spot-kicks began.
Honestly, it was the kind of game that reminds you why we bother with the Nations League at all.
Critics often call this tournament a "glorified friendly," but tell that to Cristiano Ronaldo as he collapsed to the grass after being subbed off late in the second half. This was the first time any team has managed to win the competition twice. Portugal took the inaugural trophy in 2019, and by beating Spain 5-3 on penalties, they’ve officially become the kings of this specific format.
How the Final Unfolded (Minute by Minute)
The match started like a typical Iberian Derby—lots of possession, very little space. Spain looked like the better side early on. They were slick. Martín Zubimendi broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, tapping in a ball from Lamine Yamal that the Portuguese defense simply couldn't clear. It felt like Spain might run away with it.
Then Nuno Mendes happened.
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Just five minutes later, the PSG left-back went on a lung-bursting run and drilled a low shot into the far corner. 1-1. The momentum swung, then swung back again just before the half when Mikel Oyarzabal poked one past Diogo Costa to put Spain up 2-1 at the break.
Who Won the Nations League 2025: The Turning Point
The second half belonged to the veterans. While the young guns like Yamal and Pedri were pulling the strings for Spain, Portugal relied on pure grit. In the 61st minute, a loose ball in the box fell to Cristiano Ronaldo. He didn’t miss. That goal—his 138th for his country—leveled the score at 2-2 and essentially sent the game into a defensive lockdown.
The extra time was, frankly, a bit of a slog. Both teams were exhausted. Spain had played a high-scoring 5-4 thriller against France in their semi-final, and the fatigue showed. Portugal had navigated a 2-1 win over the hosts, Germany, and they looked equally spent.
When the referee blew the whistle for the end of extra time, everyone knew Diogo Costa was the man to watch. He’s built a reputation as a penalty specialist, and he didn't disappoint.
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The Penalty Shootout Breakdown
- Portugal's shooters: Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, and Rúben Neves.
- The Miss: Álvaro Morata stepped up for Spain's fourth penalty. He looked nervous. Costa guessed right, diving to his left to parry the ball away.
- The Winner: Rúben Neves stepped up for the fifth. One clinical strike into the bottom corner. Game over.
Portugal secured the win, making history as the first two-time champions of the tournament.
More Than Just a Trophy: What This Means
It’s easy to look at the result and move on, but the 2024-25 edition changed the Nations League format significantly. We saw the introduction of a quarter-final round in March, which added a layer of intensity we haven't seen before. Portugal had to fight through a tough group featuring Croatia and Poland, then survived a scare against Denmark in the quarters before ever reaching the finals in Germany.
Spain, the defending 2023 champions, fell just short of a back-to-back title. They remain a powerhouse, but this loss highlighted a strange trend in their recent finals—they are incredibly hard to beat in open play but seem to hit a wall when the pressure of a shootout arrives.
Final Standings of the 2025 Nations League Finals
- Portugal (Champions)
- Spain (Runners-up)
- France (Third place - beat Germany 2-0)
- Germany (Fourth place)
Nuno Mendes was deservedly named the Player of the Tournament. While Ronaldo got the headlines for his equalizer, Mendes was the engine room for Roberto Martínez’s side. He defended like a man possessed and provided the attacking spark when the midfield was congested.
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Surprising Details from the Tournament
Most people don't realize how much the venue mattered. Playing at the Allianz Arena in Munich gave the final a "Big Game" feel that previous editions sometimes lacked. The attendance was 65,852—a complete sell-out.
Also, look at the stats: Spain had 64% possession. They controlled the ball, they dictated the tempo, yet they couldn't kill the game. Portugal’s "soak and strike" tactic, which they’ve perfected over the last decade, worked once again. They only had one shot on target in the second half. It just happened to be the one that mattered.
Next Steps for Football Fans:
If you want to keep up with how this win impacts the next major tournament, start by tracking the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers. This Nations League win gives Portugal a "safety net" for the playoffs if they struggle in their qualifying group. You should also watch the development of Nuno Mendes at PSG; his performance in the finals suggests he’s currently the best left-back in Europe. Finally, check the updated FIFA World Rankings next month—Portugal is expected to jump into the top five following this victory.