Neves will win the glory of the National League after a thrilling final
Portugal won their second international league title as they came from behind twice to beat their neighbours Spain in a penalty after a thrilling 2-2 draw in Munich.
Roberto Martinez’s men stepped back early and fell behind Martin Zubimendi’s 22nd minute opener, but the spectacular Nuno Mendes can quickly answer with his fantastic equalizer.
Mikel Oyalzabal restored Spain’s advantages with a halftime stroke, but Cristiano Ronaldo had a seemingly inevitable impact on the finals by leveling the 139th international goal again shortly after the hour mark.
Ronaldo was kicked out late by injuries, but after Diogo Costa was saved from Alvaro Morata, after Portugal settled in the left corner repeatedly, silenced in the left corner and slotted a boring penalty twice, winning the trophy, the biggest goalscorer of international football was able to weep tears of joy.
Portugal v Spain
Both sides spurred a good looking opportunity early on, with Joanne Neves hitting him heavily from Portugal’s close range and Pedri cut off the target on the other side from Nico Williams’ cutback.
Williams rounded the crossbar narrowly rounded as Spain decided the ownership, and his advantage in that regard turned into the opening goal.
The classically complicated build-up play ended with Zubimendi. Zubimendi was given the simple task of slotting into an empty net after Raminyarmal’s exquisite ball caused chaos in the Portuguese defense.
Portugal only took four minutes in style as Mendes plunged into the Spanish box and created a vicious low drive that left Nye Simon without a chance.
They were reverted by a glow from Pedri, just as Portugal appears to fall into intervals at levels conditions. Pedri spiked from midfield before finding Oyalzabal on a fully-weighted pass with perfectly timed.
Portugal brought Nelson Semedo and Ruben Neves after halftime. Joa Neves and Francisco Concicao saw their involvement end early by Roberto Martinez.
Mendes came forward again, and Yamal woke up with an outstanding run to the bottom left, and Ronaldo’s low cross looped up into Ronaldo’s path, returning home from close range.
Spanish substitute Isco painted a fingertip save from Costa with long distance efforts, and after Ronaldo was kicked out, Bruno Fernandez threatened to injure it with a free kick that forced Simon to act.
These saves guaranteed that the attractive contest was sent out for an extra 30 minutes. This is a relatively brightening despite Rafael Rio continuing to attack the left, and Dio Gojota marked the best opportunity for extra time at the end of the additional period.
Jota was not left to that mistake in order for Morata’s poor penalty to lead to a Portuguese celebration with confidence from Reuben Neves and bring a big boost to Martinez amid speculation about his future as coach.