Cristiano Ronaldo was overcome with emotion and broke down in tears after leading Portugal to a dramatic victory over Spain in the UEFA Nations League final on June 8. The intense clash at the Allianz Arena saw Portugal edge past the reigning European champions in a penalty shootout, securing their second Nations League title.
After a gripping 2-2 draw in extra time, Portugal held their nerve and converted all five of their penalties, clinching a 5-3 win in the shootout. Ronaldo, who had scored a crucial equaliser in the second half to keep Portugal alive, couldn’t hold back his tears as his team triumphed over a Spain side that entered the final as favourites.
Ronaldo’s goal—his 138th in international football – further extended his lead as the all-time top scorer in men’s international football, distancing himself from rivals such as Lionel Messi and Sunil Chhetri.
“I cried, but you know I do cry easily. I’m very happy because I knew that all the Portuguese fans were supporting us. My family are here, my children, so I was very happy. Winning for Portugal is always special. “I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal. It’s tears. It’s duty done and a lot of joy,” Ronaldo told reporters.
He added, “You know how old I am already. Obviously, I’m closer to the end than I was at the beginning, but I have to enjoy every moment. If I don’t get seriously injured, I’ll keep going,” Ronaldo told reporters after the UEFA Nations League win.”
The match itself was a thrilling back-and-forth. Spain took the lead twice, first through Martin Zubimendi in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Portugal after a sharp cross by Lamine Yamal. Five minutes later, Nuno Mendes responded for Portugal, slotting home a low drive to level the score at 1-1.
Just before halftime, Spain regained the lead when Pedri slipped a pass through to Mikel Oyarzabal, who calmly finished past Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa. But the veteran Ronaldo would have the final say in regulation time, tapping in from close range just after the hour mark to bring Portugal back on level terms at 2-2.
The final was widely seen as a symbolic clash between generations – Ronaldo, the iconic veteran, versus Spain’s rising star Lamine Yamal. While Yamal struggled to leave a significant mark, it was Ronaldo who rose to the occasion before being substituted due to an injury. He received a rousing standing ovation from the Allianz Arena crowd and a warm embrace from manager Roberto Martinez as he left the pitch.
Extra time yielded no further goals, setting the stage for a tense shootout. The decisive moment came when Spain’s Alvaro Morata missed his penalty, opening the door for Portugal. Ruben Neves stepped up and calmly converted the final kick, sparking wild celebrations among Portuguese fans.
The victory not only marked another major achievement for Portugal but also added another chapter to Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career – this time sealed with tears of joy.
