MUNICH, Germany — It was billed as Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lamine Yamal, an evening when the baton would cross from one soccer celebrity to the following, however when the decisive second got here in Portugal’s UEFA Nations League ultimate win in opposition to Spain, each may solely watch from the sidelines as others took middle stage.
Diogo Costa’s save from Alvaro Morata’s spot kick within the penalty shootout, after the Iberian neighbors had performed out a high-quality 2-2 attract Munich, enabled Rúben Neves to attain the decisive penalty for a 5-3 Portugal win.
Ronaldo, who needed to be substituted within the 88th minute on account of a muscle pressure, ran onto the pitch to have a good time earlier than bursting into tears having clinched his third worldwide trophy — a second Nations League and the Euro 2016 title, when he additionally ended the sport on the bench on account of harm. Yamal, in the meantime, was left to wander onto the pitch in his heavy substitutes’ coat, consoling teammates — particularly Morata, after the veteran ahead’s failure from the spot.
The 17-year-old Spain ahead was hardly heartbroken. The Nations League is neither a significant trophy or a minor one — it’s someplace in between — however you possibly can make sure that after already successful Euro 2024 final summer time, this near-miss within the Nations League will not trigger the Barcelona starlet sleepless nights when he ultimately appears to be like again on what guarantees to be a stellar profession.
Yamal may find yourself with a trophy cupboard as well-stocked as Ronaldo’s — a number of titles, Champions Leagues and Ballons d’Or — and it’s a good guess to recommend he may even get his palms on the FIFA World Cup subsequent yr. However tonight wasn’t his night time.
It wasn’t Ronaldo’s both, though the 40-year-old may not less than level to having scored yet one more purpose. His second-half volley from a deflected, looping cross made it 2-2 on the night time and was his 138th worldwide purpose — manner forward of the 109 scored by former Iran striker Ali Daei, the one different participant within the males’s sport to interrupt the 100-goal barrier.
Yamal and Ronaldo grabbed the prematch highlight, however the great thing about these two groups is that they each have way more than their celebrity forwards and this was an evening by which they proved it.
Nuno Mendes was the excellent participant on present, the Paris Saint-Germain left again successful his direct battle with Yamal. Mendes, who scored Portugal’s first purpose, beat Yamal simply earlier than crossing for Ronaldo to attain within the second half and per week after successful the Champions League, he acquired his palms on the Nations League trophy after shrugging off the stress to attain an distinctive penalty within the shootout.
Bruno Fernandes additionally made a big effect for Portugal whereas Vitinha shone on the Allianz Enviornment pitch, simply as he did throughout PSG’s 5-0 rout of Inter Milan eight days in the past.
Spain additionally confirmed depth and world-class high quality past Yamal, who was quiet past delivering the cross that led to Martín Zubimendi scoring the opening purpose of the sport after 21 minutes. Zubimendi, who is predicted to finish a £51 million switch from Actual Sociedad to Arsenal this week, was as spectacular a holding midfield position as he was when he broke ahead. If Arsenal get the participant we noticed on this sport, he may simply be the ultimate piece of Mikel Arteta’s jigsaw on the Emirates.
Pedri, the Barcelona midfielder, was chic at occasions alongside Zubimendi, and his run deep into Portugal territory preceded the cross from which Mikel Oyarzabal produced an aesthetic to make it 2-1 on the stroke of halftime.
Oyarzabal is a participant who typically goes beneath the radar. At 28, he has spent the whole lot of his skilled profession with Actual Sociedad, remaining loyal to his Basque roots, however his capability is worthy of a a lot greater membership stage than that which La Actual have supplied him. Robust, intelligent and a scientific finisher, Oyarzabal has now scored in three main finals for Spain and can be an important member of their squad on the World Cup subsequent yr.
There have been different standout performers on each side — defenders Dean Huijsen and Robin Le Normand have been spectacular for Spain, whereas Rúben Dias was again to his world-class finest for Portugal. Each goalkeepers, Spain’s Unai Simón and Portugal’s Costa, additionally confirmed themselves to be of the standard required to win a World Cup.
But when both of those sides is to go the space in the USA, Canada and Mexico subsequent yr, for all of their undoubted expertise, it would simply want a contact of genius to take the ultimate step, simply as Argentina relied on Lionel Messi to get them over the road at Qatar 2022.
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Is it time for Portugal to search for a Ronaldo substitute?
The “ESPN FC” crew talk about whether or not Portugal have to search for a brand new striker earlier than the 2026 World Cup.
Ronaldo can be 41 by the point he performs within the World Cup, however after scoring in opposition to Germany and Spain this week, the Al-Nassr ahead has proven he can nonetheless make it occur in opposition to the strongest nations. Yamal, then again, is already a wonderkid and can solely be higher by the point the World Cup comes round.
Each gamers should reside as much as not possible expectations — Ronaldo for what he has accomplished, and Yamal due to what he guarantees to be — however they will not should do it on their very own. It is clear from Sunday night time that each Portugal and Spain have the depth to help their superstars all the best way to World Cup glory.
