CRISTIANO RONALDO WAS DECISIVE AND SHOWED YAMAL WHO THE KING IS IN THE FINAL BATTLE

What an atmosphere in Munich, the 41st Iberian Derby, and pick Spain and Portugal together in a major final for the very first time. Two nations that have won this competition before, in addition to the European Championship titles that both have claimed in the last decade. The swashbuckling young stars of Luis de la Fuente, the work for the Portuguese under Roberto Martinez. These are the two teams, two changes for Portugal from the semifinal win over the Germans. As expected, Martinez back in midfield, looking for a second trophy in eight days at the Allianz Arena. And Francisco Cancecao, rewarded for his game-defining cameo from the bench in the last four, as he joins Bruno Fernandes and Pedro Neto in supporting Cristiano Ronaldo in attack. João Neves continues to serve as a makeshift right back, despite the impressive contribution of Nelson Samedo later on Wednesday night. Well, there may be the absence of the hosts in this year's final, but it hasn't stopped the Allianz Arena from pretty much filling in the up. There's our match referee, Sandro Scherer, a 37-year-old Swiss official. He was the man in the middle the last time Spain lost a competitive fixture all the way back in March 2023 against Scotland. That was Luis de la Fuente's second game in charge. Spain won it two years ago, finished runners-up to the French in 2021, Portugal the inaugural winner six years ago now. And the Portuguese taking on a country they have not beaten in the last six games. Spain haven't lost any of the last five competitive meetings, Portugal's last win. Portugal maybe considering a shorter option with the corner kick, and that's what they are doing. That's a side of Bruno Fernandes. Benz runs to the far post. There's a man down, and it's Neves who drove it into the ground. There was no whistle for a foul. First real chance of the night. Well, Fabian Ruiz hits the ground. It's a little bit of a wrestling match between himself and Bernardo Silva. Dean Howsey looking to release Nico Williams in behind. João Neves took it well. Barely had to break stride, and into the area he goes. And he lays it back to Pedry for precision and placement instead of power. That's great play from the Spanish. Not sure what the Portuguese back line is doing. Williams has always got the pace to get in behind. Wider standing on the halfway line. That ball over the top is an easy one to hit. And he pulls it back to Pedry. Well, it's all congested in there at the moment. It's swept wide though by Ziver Mendy for Nico Williams. Really good ball at the end. Decoy run from Cucaracha. Williams just didn't get it. This really looks where the rewards are from a Spanish point of view on the left wing. Good ball out to Nico Williams. One-on-one with Neves. It's a yard or so wide. Or over the crossbar. You can see exactly what he's trying to do. Minigame effect. Pressure through the back. And receiving a yellow card for it is Gonzalo Inacio. I think it's a fair one. It's a clever play from the first team in Gresa. And then Lloyd-Arsenal. And breaking forward is Ziver Mendy. And now a media man up against Nuno Mendes. The cross is a good one. And it's not clear yet. The Nations League final. Brilliant move from the Spanish. Anybody asking why that man Aritzabal is in the team. You're about to see why. It's Linko Pedry. He's exceptional. Brings so many players into the game. Doesn't score a whole heap of goals. You see his involvement in this one. Little flick. Gets Ziver Mendy on his bike. And opens up the whole pitch for the Spanish. And it's a question of can they make the right decision. Ziver Mendy gives it out to the media man. Shifts it onto his left foot. And just hangs it into that six-yard box. The Portuguese don't cover themselves in glory with the defendant. Ruben Diaz. Just hooks it into a horrible area. Neves can't react. It's a very easy finish for Ziver Mendy in the end. Take nothing away from the Portuguese centre-half. Does really well. Comes across and deals with the danger. We saw that set there. Spain have competed two and a half times more. Hughes is next out. We haven't seen really anything in Portugal. Offensively as yet. Nuno Mendes might look to change that. Onto his left foot. Tries and scores! Brilliant strike. Mendes we spoke about. He's attacking talents beforehand. Maybe Ronaldo might have just creeped offside. Having a look at that. But once this ball comes out. I was wondering what is Ronaldo doing on the left. He needs to be in the box as a target man. Pedro Neto picks out Mendes. Drives into the box. Only one thing in his mind. To try and get the strike off. This will be a brilliant view. It's a daisy card into the far corner. Brilliant finish. The goal stands. We said there'd be goals with two inside half an hour. Reaction of Ronaldo. He's ecstatic. And that young man. He's quickly become one of the best left backs in the world. Offensively 1v1. Solid. Going forward. Yamal Ruiz. Looking to play in. Williams! Oh he's got! Just about doing enough. This time was Diogo Costa. Absent concentration from him. Ronaldo. Back inside it goes to Neto. Neto driving clear. That's going to be a bucket for Fabio Ruiz. Neto. Goes outside. Miguesa. Digs out the cross. Good idea. You can hear one of the Portuguese players just asking the referee. How many fouls is he allowed? Do you feel if you can get Koukare on a yellow? And he does wrap him up. As I say he's so aggressive. Trying to win the ball back. It takes a lot of that away from him. He's really letting the game flow. The Swiss referee. Pedri now driving forward. Slips one towards. Oh that's a goal! Excellent centre forward play. Timing of the movement. Dig the finish out. It's exceptional. The Portugal query. Why there wasn't a free kick given. Not so sure there's too much in that. There is contact. It is a contact sport. You see Pedri. Timing of the pass. The weight of the pass in behind is brilliant. Wants to reach the ball. Times the run. It's all about the finish. Can he find the finish? Dinks it. Takes it so early. Excellent centre forward play. Justified. There's inclusion in this Spanish team. Big hand to play in both goals. Centre forward in the world if your timing is like that. There was an awareness that the goalkeeper Diogo Costa would be rushing out to meet him. Hence the death little flick beyond him. What a first half that was. Portugal certainly played their part in it. Half time in Munich. It is Portugal 1. Spain 2. In the international ranks. Also led Spain to the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In 2021. Luis Telafuente. Who was 64 in a couple of days time. Was made look lesser of a ball by the miscontrol of Pedri. Around the corner for Bruno Fernandes. And he could be away. Ronaldo is the only one with it. Bruno goes for it. Far side. Blocked off side. Real time. Operating at the same speed as it did. At his peak. As that's a long range effort. Beaten out by Costa. It's Fabinho Ruiz that hit that one. Petinha. 266,000 tonight. Fernandes left him out of his wake. And they come back towards Ronaldo. He just needs that one-half juggle throughout this second half. And he kind of can still do those sorts of things. Doing what he's always done best. Poaching those chances for his country. And Ronaldo for the second time. Ronaldo's the one. Puts the ball into the back of the net. But look at Mendes here. Realises the Spanish right back. Has wandered into a poor area. Drives into the 18-yard box. The Norman comes back off his heel. Goes up in the air. And once Kukerea finds himself under the ball. There's only going to be one winner. Ronaldo. Shepherds him under the ball. Pokes it home when he's ripe for it. And he will be saying, that's why you never take me off. Chance here. Breaking presence he is in defence for Portugal. It's unbelievable. Stuff from Mendes. He's second best twice. Makes sure the shot doesn't go in on goal. But when the Spanish play at times. Quite laboured. Need to keep the tempo up. Keep the Portuguese moving. That's right. Switches it. Nico Williams now. Semedo and Bernardo Silva go to meet him. Williams gets his shot away. Costa worried for a moment. It's as if Williams weighed upon it. Portugal looking an awful lot more solid. Semedo. It's a right back. Bernardo Silva. He's got Semedo with him. Here is Nelson Semedo. And it's signed it up by Unasimo. They are going to make a couple of changes Portugal. Wipes it. Nico Williams. Rubbo Redshirt's back. Yamal. Comes in on to his left and drives it. Good hands. Spain on the counter attack. That will surely be a booking for Neto. You can see. Pedro Neto happy to give the foul away. Defects. Silver Mendy. Passed about the one ahead of him. Comes out to Isco. Isco strikes one. Good save. Costa. Full stretch with that one from Isco. What a return to the international stage that would have been. A beautiful strike. From Isco. Just under the bar. And he played over 250 games for Wolves. Before that move to Saudi Arabia. Isco. That's surely offside. It was cleared off the line brilliantly. So he'll still get the kudos for that. I love seeing that defending. Don't want to just put your hand up and hope that the linesman puts the flag up. Go and make sure. Effective play. Brilliant from Vega. Defensive walk. Wouldn't mean you're mad if he switches off there. Portugal are on the counter attack. So he'll be replaced by Goncalo Ramos. If it does go to extra time it'll likely see us treated to the Ronaldo sideline. Antic. So we saw most keenly in that Euro 2016 final kick when he lipped off early. Pretty much taking over the managerial role. Leave the managerial role. The mascot role. Is Mr Portugal. It was the second final involving Spain with the Netherlands who went to extra time. Here is Rafael Leão. Gets in behind Ziver Mendy. Oh he's brought down. No choice. Because Leão was looking menacing. Drive it in and hope for the best. Here it comes from Bruno. Beaten away by Siman. And it's off Vega for a... Well it's been a really good game. Talked probably fair over the course of the 90 minutes or so. We move into extra time. Midas. The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo. But with some world class players still strutting their stuff. No post. Central player's ready to go. And now our referee is too. And it's... In towards Semedo! The wrong side of the post. A short score. Semedo. It's on his left foot. I think that's the only saving grace. Isco. Yamal. Isco. To that far post. Oyarzabal. Beaten to it by Diaz. Baena's ball is clear. To Vega. Only as far as Cucaracha. Leaning back. Scoops it over the bar. Baena's the one who had the chance. To take the strike on. Racing away into this play. Strikes Robben. And all one out. He's still going. Not sure there was any contact. Enders to the ground in play. He could have died. He had a little too much to say for himself here. We've reached boiling point again. It's been a brilliant game. It's Nagle creeping in now. Adds a little bit of extra spice to it. It didn't look like a foul in real time, Dave. I didn't think it was a penalty. Enders. Just prods it down for Real. He's giving it away. Referee telling the person to get switched quickly. Nope, he wants to get on with it. We go deep into the night here in Munich. And as we were at full time in the 90. Still Portugal 2. Spain 2. We shall see. Thank you, Tommy. I'll tell you what. Not his night. He's allowed the odd off night. Deep in their own midfield. For spotting the opportunity. What an extraordinary goal that would have been. Serena releases. Nero Mendes releases. Rafael Leão. Puyol brings him down. That's not one anybody likes to see. If you're on Pedro Porro's team. In that Spanish dressing room. They're patting him on the back. Telling him it's a good foul. Diaz. He'll put it in there. To that far post. And the header for Jota. Who's being watched closely by Porro. Well two hours of football. Could not separate them. But for the second time. The Nations League final. Will be decided by a penalty shootout. But there's going to be a lot of pressure. On the two sets of players. And of course the two goalkeepers. Who will now be taking centre stage. And Diogo Costa. Extra time complete. It remains Portugal 2. Spain 2. Penalties incoming. Well we're going to start off with Gonzalo Ramos. For Portugal. In front of their own supporters. For this penalty shootout. Off against Diogo Simão. He did save a couple of penalties. Two years ago. Ramos down the middle. And Portugal are up and running. A good penalty. From Ramos. Doesn't go for accuracy. Goes for power. Down the middle. Bottom corner. Nothing Costa could do there. Classy penalty. Moreno. He wants Simão to make a move. And he did make the right move. But still couldn't get anywhere near it. What a brilliant penalty. He's happy with the penalty. Strange technique. Creeps up to the ball. 2-2. Penalty from Baena. Takes his spot. Rolls it in there. And scoring. As you'd expect. So casual. From Bruno Fernandes. Made it look easy. Gets his goal. Just about. It's the closest either goalkeeper has come to keeping it out. Diogo Costa got a firm hand to it. Fantastic strike. In keeping with his performance levels. Not just tonight. But throughout the season. One of the great right backs. In world football at the moment. Costa. So River Neves. For the Nations League title. The first nation. To win this trophy for a second time. Look what it means to them. Ronaldo in tears. No surprise there. The rest of his teammates celebrate. But he's very experienced. You feel he's got broad shoulders. To deal with such a development in his career. But it is Portugal. Certainly weren't favourites coming in tonight's game, Keith. But they've just about come out on top. Awards the Nations League trophy to Cristiano Ronaldo for the second time. Portugal become the first country to win this championship. On occasion. It's a third major trophy of his international career. For the 40 year old. Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal are the winners of the Nations League. For 2024-2025. 40 years old and still growing strong. Cristiano Ronaldo lifting the UEFA Nations League trophy. And enjoying every minute. That is all we have time for this evening. It's been a really enjoyable weekend. Portugal take the glory. And head for Ireland's World Cup qualifying group in the autumn. Oh dear.