In the expected generational confrontation between Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, and Lamine Yamal, 17, the Portuguese veteran did not have a gala, but was much more decisive than the Spanish ascension star
After a 2-2 draw in normal time and extension, he won 5-3 on penalties on Sunday in Munich and became the first two -time champion of the League of Nations. In its fourth edition, the competition has always had Portugal or Spain in the tournament decision. The Portuguese were the first champions in 2019, and the Spaniards won in 2023. France got the title in 2021.
Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes and Rúben Neves scored for the Portuguese. Merino, Baena and Isco hit Spain’s charges, and Morata missed her attempt, the fourth in Spain. In the expected generational confrontation between Cristiano Ronaldo, 40, and Lamine Yamal, 17, the Portuguese veteran did not have a gala exhibition, but was much more decisive than the Spanish star, scoring the goal that decreed the 2-2 draw in normal time. Yamal had deleted performance. Cristiano Ronaldo was replaced at the end of normal time, and the Spaniard came out at the time of extension.
The decision began with a lot of movement. The Portuguese started attacking, but left a lot of space on the left side of the rival attack, where Nico Williams was very incisive and created a lot of danger to Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa. But it was in a play built from the right of Spain that the first goal of the game came out.
In a quick Spanish attack, Lamine Yamal was fired on the right and crossed in the area. Portugal’s defensive system is disturbed, with a poorly made Ruben Dias cut, Diogo Costa’s indecision and a slight touch from João Neves for the ball to leave for Zubimendi, free, to make 1 to 0 at 22 minutes.
Portugal managed to react quickly and four minutes later tied. Nuno Mendes received at the entrance of the area, advanced and kicked hard, crossed, in the left corner of goalkeeper Unai Simón. With more possession of the ball, Spain dominated the actions, taking advantage of the most loose marking of the Portuguese over time. The Spaniards resumed the advantage on the score at 45 minutes. Again on a quick climb to the attack, Pedri got excellent assistance by triggering Oyarzabal on the right side, on the back of Rúben Dias. Oyarzabal touched Diogo Costa’s departure.
Portugal managed to balance in the second half and even scored early in the stage, with Bruno Fernandes after a table with Pedro Neto on the left, but Pedro Neto was impeded in the play and the goal was canceled. Cristiano Ronaldo, who gestured asking for more attitude from his compatriots, appeared decisively on 16 minutes.
Nuno Mendes advanced on the left side and crossed. The ball sneezed in the defender and climbed. Cristiano Ronaldo won a duel with Cucurella and a right -wing touch tied the game. It was the 938th goal of the Portuguese striker in official games. Spain no longer had the mastery of the first half, as the Portuguese got a more accurate marking.
Yamal appeared little and got a finish from outside the area after 31 minutes. The best chance of the Spaniards was with Isco, who entered the second half and hit a beautiful kick from the entrance and demanded a great defense of Diogo Costa. At 41 minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo went to the ground and was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
The draw persisted until the end of normal time and forced the extension. Portugal had more chances in the first half of the extension, but could not change the scoring. Lamine Yamal was replaced at the break, and Spain improved in the second stage.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Carolina Ferreira
