Ronaldo Triumphs Against Yamal In Electrifying Nations League Final

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A brilliant run by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and Spain came agonizingly short against 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday. The spotlights were bright, and both of the teams seemed equally matched, all the way through extra time into penalties.

Yamal’s cross to Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain, who went up one-nil in the 21st minute.

Playing with a heightened sense of urgency, Nuno Mendes equalized, scoring his first international goal in the process.

Just before halftime, Mikel Oyarzabal managed to squeeze the ball past Diogo Costa, Portugal’s goalkeeper.

In a fitting way to equalize, Portugal’s Ronaldo scored his 138th international goal on a brilliant cross from Mendes in the 61st minute.

Over the next 59 minutes, not a single goal separated the two teams, leading them to a penalty shootout. The first three goals for each side cleared the goal line. After Mendes made Portugal’s tally 4/4 in the shootout, Álvaro Morata’s miss meant Portugal needed a goal in their last shot to secure victory. Sure enough, Rúben Neves brought the Nations League title to Portugal, the country’s second.

The end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s storied career is near. Given his age, Ronaldo seems to be hinting at a short timeline for his retirement. Yet, his second Nations League title brings more silverware to Ronaldo’s already fabled legacy. Perhaps a fitting end, the final brought joy once more to Portugal’s faithful.