Miguel A. Lopes / Lusa
Portugal is the winner of the 2024/25 Nations League! Lusa formation did not enter as a favorite before the powerful Spain, considered the best selection in the world, but made a solid exhibition, recovered from two disadvantages and led to La Roja on the tiebreaker for great penalties.
The National Team raised the great height, annulled most of the strengths of “La Roja”, especially Lamine YamaL, he recovered twice from disadvantage and then decided on the tiebreaker for great penalties.
Diogo Costa and Rúben Neves They were decisive here, but there are no words for the display of Nuno Mendes.
The things did not run in the first partin an excited and quality game, with some good times. Portugal came in well, but quickly Spain took the game, limiting the Portuguese transitions.
Nico Williams was doing what I wanted João Neves, the insistent “right-back”, and at 21 minutes, in a ball leftover in the area, Bright (21 ′) Inaugurated the marker.
The Portuguese response was not long before and Nuno Mendes (26 ′) tied in a cross shot. However, Spain was creating more danger and eventually made the second for Oyarzabal over the break.
Martínez moved the breakreinforced the intermediate with Rúben Neves, corrected the Error (insistent) of “casting” to put João Neves to the sideand launched Nelson Semedo.
Portugal began to press better and to control the spaces in the wings with the highest quality. At 61 minutes, new draw. Nuno Mendes made an amazing move On the left, crossed and The ball came to Cristiano Ronaldo in the area. The captain leaned against 2-2.
From here There was balance, without large occasions of goalwith both teams without risking. This was followed by.
In the first half of the extra time Portugal was clearly overnullifying Spanish football and creating the best danger throws. In the second half of the teams truly risked and everything was decided in the penalties.
Here, all marked, less Álvaro Morata: Great defense of Diogo Costa. After… Rúben Neves kicked decisive that gave the title to Portugal!
The game in 5 facts
1. Spain more dangerous, but…
La Roja lost, but even had more expected goals (XG). There were 2.1 against 1.0 from the Portuguese and three occasions flagrant, for two from Portugal. However, the “corner” class took the “cup”.
2. Spain bet on the ripping pass
The Spanish formation tried to surprise Portugal with rupture passes. There were four (against no luso), maximum team in the competition. However, the Portuguese almost always managed to control these throws.
3. Portugal punished and with losses
Lusa formation suffered 19 faults, the maximum of the team in the competition, as Spain completed the highest number of offenses. At the same time, the Portuguese accounted for 19 losses in the defensive third, also record. Go that there was no major consequences at the end.
4. Portugal let Spain play
In purpose or not, there were long periods when Portugal let Spain play. “La Roja” ended with 93% pass effectiveness and the Portuguese allowed 24.4 Spanish deliveries to a defensive action (PPDA). In the end, who was laughing was Portugal.
5. Spanish pressure without effect
The cup is ours, the statistics even want to counteract the feat, but that’s what it is. Spain made 23 defensive actions in the opposite midfield, against only eight from Portugal. These are strategies…
Better in the field
What an amazing game of Nuno MendesWe risk saying that it is the best left back in the world. There was no maximum note, something rare in games of this caliber, but the PSG player was not only elected the best of the final and the “Final Four”, as was also MVP Goalpoint.
Defense Meteu Lamine Yamal “No Bag”, He was impeccable to defend and portentous to attack. Beyond goal that scored in the first part, He was in the genesis of the goal of Cristiano Ronaldo.
In addition, he created a flagrant occasion, completed four of five dribble attempts, made six progressive and two super progressive driving, recorded three disarms and a decisive cut.
Summary
