Nations League Final Player Ratings and Match Highlights

Two of international football’s heavyweights, Spain and Portugal, locked horns in pursuit of UEFA Nations League glory – and it was the latter who reigned victorious after a 2-2 draw meant penalties ensured. In the shootout, it was Ruben Neves’ spot kick that won it all inside the Allianz Arena.

Unlikely goalscorer Martin Zubimendi pounced on a defensive mishap in the Portugal box just after the 20-minute mark. Lamine Yamal’s teasing ball, as expected, caused issues and Diogo Costa was unable to assert dominance. The ball fell to the feet of the midfielder, who lashed his effort into an empty net. Advantage Spain!

It wasn’t long until an equaliser beckoned through Nuno Mendes’ rifled finish past Unai Simon. Into the bottom right corner with plenty of power and poise, the left-back scored his first international goal. Mikel Oyarzabal’s sharp finish wrapped up a positive first half for La Roja as they went in 2-1 to the good.

On the stroke of the hour mark, Cristiano Ronaldo did what he does best: step up to the plate for Portugal, latching onto Mendes’ cross and getting the wrong side of Marc Cucurella, which took the Nations League encounter into extra-time.

As mentioned, it took a penalty shootout to decide the winner in Munich – and it was all pretty routine until Diogo Costa guessed right and saved Alvaro Morata’s effort from 12 yards. Midfielder Neves, 28, fired home his effort from the spot as Ronaldo and Co ran out triumphant.

Match Highlights

Portugal Player Ratings

Diogo Costa – 4/10

Involved in the defensive mess that allowed Spain to gain their early lead, while his poor effort to keep out their second was also a concern for Martinez and his entourage.

Joao Neves – 4/10

His performance begs the question: why isn’t Martinez playing him in his best position? Neves struggled with Spain’s dynamic left-hand side. Hooked at half-time.

Ruben Dias – 6/10

Defensively solid and alert to the trickery of Williams and Yamal on several occasions. Tracked the runner for Spain’s first, leaving Zubimendi wide open.

Goncalo Inacio – 5/10

Uncomfortable in possession of the ball, Inacio was rightfully taken off in the 74th minute as Martinez understood that he wasn’t having his finest performance.

Nuno Mendes – 9/10 (Man of the Match)

Giving his nation a glimmer of hope, Mendes rifled his effort perfectly into the bottom right corner and was a constant threat from start to finish. Superbly talented, Mendes is, and that was shown tonight.

Vitinha – 7/10

When Portugal were enjoying a period of dominance, there wasn’t a better player on the pitch than Vitinha. Cute in tight spaces, the 25-year-old was a joy to watch.

Bernardo Silva – 5/10

Far too weak to be playing in a midfield against Spain, the Manchester City man struggled with Spain’s three-man intensity in the centre of the action.

Francisco Conceicao – 3/10

A poor first-half showing from the 22-year-old saw Martinez take him off at half-time.

Bruno Fernandes – 6/10

Lucky not to be booked early on, Manchester United’s talisman was happy to drop deeper and make things happen when push came to shove but his efforts were largely to no avail.

Pedro Neto – 5/10

Although he got an assist, there was nothing too threatening to note about Neto’s display on the left wing.

Cristiano Ronaldo – 5/10

Albeit involved in Portugal’s first, Ronaldo is no longer able to influence international proceedings like he used to. Took his chance well, however. Injured and taken off in the final stages of regulation time.

Sub – Ruben Neves (45′) – 4/10

Albeit a strange decision to replace his namesake, Joao Neves, Ruben played well in the middle. Nothing too special, mind.

Sub – Nelson Semedo (45′) – 5/10

Thwarted the trickery and poise of Williams much better than Neves did, that’s for sure.

Sub – Rentato Veiga (74′) – 5/10

An assuring presence at the back for Martinez’s men, Veiga was defensively solid when under pressure.

Sub – Rafael Leao (74′) – 7.5/10

Leao, as expected, gave Portugal a different dimension in attack and was keen to get stuck in from the off, though his efforts came to nothing. Sometimes, he lost composure at the final hurdle, but his energetic nature was contagious.

Sub – Goncalo Ramos (88′) – 4/10

Substituted on for the hobbling Ronaldo, Ramos tried to provide something of a focal point. It didn’t go very well, though.

Sub – Diogo Jota (105′) – 4/10

Martinez’s last hope of grabbing a late winner (which he had the chance to do in the concluding seconds of the match), Jota replaced Neto with 15 minutes left.

Spain Player Ratings

Unai Simon – 6/10

Rarely called into action thanks to Spain enjoying plenty of the ball, but the Athletic Club goalkeeper was unable to thwart Mendes’ rocket. Could’ve perhaps done more to prevent Ronaldo.

Oscar Mingueza – 4/10

Not his finest hour in a Spain shirt. What was interesting was his uncanny knack of popping up in spaces on the right wing, where Yamal was struggling to impress.

Dean Huijsen – 8/10

The youngster’s passing range is simply brilliant as the 20-year-old looked calm when dictating Spain’s passages of play from the back. One of his side’s best players.

Robin Le Normand – 6/10

In the absence of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez, Le Normand performed well alongside the less experienced Huijsen.

Marc Cucurella – 6/10

Largely involved in the final’s opening stages, the Chelsea man was poorly positioned for Portugal’s second equaliser of the game. Lashed at a shot in extra-time when he should’ve taken more time.

Fabian Ruiz – 5.5/10

Although he looked busy and took a lot of touches, the Paris Saint-Germain ace was largely ineffective.

Pedri – 8/10

Latched onto Williams’ pinpoint pass in the first half, but he dragged his effort just wide. Constantly on the move, the zippy midfielder put on a classy passing clinic for youngsters to watch and learn.

Martin Zubimendi – 7/10

Zubimendi’s early goal gave Spain a lease of life. Leggy in the engine room when La Roja were in need of some dominance, the Arsenal-linked midfielder was their go-to man.

Lamine Yamal – 5/10

By his standards, Yamal enjoyed a quiet evening in Germany zand rarely tested the resolve of Ronaldo and his teammates at the back. Often showed his lack of experience when tracking back and producing lazy, reckless challenges.

Mikel Oyarzabal – 7.5/10

Spain’s second goalscorer, Oyarzabal was a persisting threat in the box, often drawing out defenders and opening space in behind. His goal, too, was very well-taken.

Nico Williams – 8/10

Spain’s livewire from the off, Williams was the primary reason behind Neves’ half-time substitution.

Sub – Isco (74′) – 6/10

Keen to be involved upon his substitution, seeing Isco back in a Spain jersey was nostalgic – and he put in a classy display.

Sub – Mikel Merino (74′) – 4/10

Often operating as one of Spain’s marauding forwards, Merino to match the energy of proceedings after coming on in the second half.

Sub – Pedro Porro (93′) – 6/10

Defended well against the fresh legs of Leao and provided Spain with some crucial defensive work.

Sub – Alex Baena (93′) – 4/10

Involved in a bust-up with Man of the Match Mendes.

Sub – Yeremi Pino (105′) – 3/10

Introduced to give Spain some legs in the second half of extra-time, the 22-year-old had very little involvement.

Sub – Alvaro Morata (111′) – 2/10

Why did it take so long to bring on the experienced frontman?

All statistics per FotMob – correct as of 08/06/2025