Portugal 2-2 Spain (aet, 5-3 pens): Costa´s shootout heroics seals Nations League glory

Diogo Costa was Portugal’s man of the hour as his penalty heroics helped his team clinch a second Nations League title with victory over Spain after a 2-2 draw in Munich.

Costa saved Alvaro Morata’s spot-kick with a sprawling save during the shootout, with Ruben Neves stepping up to slot home the decisive penalty to seal the crown.

Spain flew out of the blocks at the Allianz Arena, with Pedri dragging an effort from close range just wide of the mark before Nico Williams curled narrowly over Costa’s crossbar.

And La Roja’s early pressure eventually told in the 21st minute after a blistering counter-attack which was instigated by Mikel Oyarzabal’s brilliant flick around the corner.

The ball eventually found its way to Lamine Yamal, whose cross was not dealt with by a combination of Ruben Dias and Joao Neves, allowing Martin Zubimendi, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, to tuck the ball home.

But Spain’s lead lasted just five minutes when Nuno Mendes, fresh from his Champions League success with Paris Saint-Germain, picked out the bottom-right corner with a fierce drive from just inside the penalty area.

After playing a starring role in Spain’s opening goal, Oyarzabal ensured his team led on the stroke of half-time after poking the ball past Costa following Pedri’s driving run, though Portugal were unhappy about a foul on Bernardo Silva in the build-up.

3 – Mikel Oyarzabal has become the first player in Spanish history to score in three different finals (Nations League in 2021, EURO in 2024 and Nations League in 2025). Stellar. pic.twitter.com/dmd4vUmbRj

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 8, 2025

Not deterred by falling behind late in the first half, Portugal thought they had hauled themselves level once again after the break when Bruno Fernandes’ strike from distance caught Unai Simon napping, but the goal was ruled out for an offside against Pedro Neto, who had flicked the ball on to the Manchester United talisman.

But Roberto Martinez’s side equalised just after the hour through Cristiano Ronaldo, who was on hand to volley Mendes’ deflected cross into the back of the net for his 138th goal for Portugal.

Neither side could find a winning goal, with the returning Isco coming closest when he stung the palms of Costa from distance, with extra-time seeing Portugal turn up the tempo in their quest for a second Nations League triumph.

The lively Mendes created the best chance in the added 30 minutes when his cutback found substitute Nelson Semedo, who miscued his effort from close range before Diogo Jota headed over in added time at the end of the second period of extra-time.

After three perfect penalties from either side, Mendes fired into the roof of the net to put Portugal in front, with Morata, on as a late change for Oyarzabal, seeing his strike repelled by Costa, allowing Al-Hilal’s Neves to pick out the bottom-left corner from 12 yards.