In an emotional UEFA Nations League final, Portugal triumphed over Spain in a penalty shoot-out after a gripping 2-2 draw. Although billed as a showdown between Cristiano Ronaldo and rising star Lamine Yamal, it was goalkeeper Diogo Costa's key save that sealed the victory for Portugal. Ronaldo, leaving the game due to injury, celebrated his success with heartfelt tears, marking his third international title. Meanwhile, young Yamal, despite a near-loss, remains optimistic about his future, having already secured a Euro 2024 win and eyeing a successful career ahead.
Ronaldo, who had to be substituted in the 88th minute due to a muscle strain, ran onto the pitch to celebrate before bursting into tears having clinched his third international trophy -- a second Nations League and the Euro 2016 title.
The 17-year-old Spain forward was hardly heartbroken. The Nations League is neither a major trophy or a minor one -- it is somewhere in between -- but you can be sure that after already winning Euro 2024 last summer, this near-miss in the Nations League won't cause the Barcelona starlet sleepless nights when he eventually looks back on his promising career.
Yamal may end up with a trophy cabinet as well-stocked as Ronaldo's -- multiple titles, Champions Leagues and Ballons d'Or -- and it is a good bet to suggest he might even get his hands on the FIFA World Cup next year.
Ronaldo's second-half volley from a deflected, looping cross made it 2-2 on the night and was his 138th international goal.
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