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Cristiano Ronaldo (L) after scoring, and Lamine Yamal's disappointment, in the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain at Allianz Stadium, Munich, Germany on June 8, 2025. Photo by Reuters |
Following Portugal's dramatic victory over Spain at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Sunday, beIN SPORTS headlined: "Cristiano Ronaldo taught Lamine Yamal a lesson and snatches the UEFA Nations League from Spain."
"When Cristiano Ronaldo made his debut with Portugal 21 years ago, Lamine Yamal hadn't even been born. There's a 22-year age gap between the Portuguese star and the young Spanish winger, and they finally went head-to-head in the UEFA Nations League final, with the veteran coming out on top," the article noted.
Ronaldo, now 40, touched the ball just 22 times as a striker but capitalized on one crucial opportunity to score the equalizer, leveling the match at 2-2 in the second half.
The game then went into extra time and a penalty shootout, which Portugal won 5-3.
Yamal, who played 105 minutes and had four shots among 81 touches, failed to find the net and was substituted late in the game. Ronaldo was taken off due to injury.
Though the two rarely faced off directly during the match, one notable moment occurred near the end of the first half when Yamal tried to dribble in front of the Portugal defense. Ronaldo tracked back, tackled the ball cleanly and passed it to a teammate, leaving Yamal on the ground.
Ronaldo's accurate tackle on Yamal during the game.
Yamal did contribute to Spain's opening goal with a well-placed cross that led to chaos in front of goal, followed by a finish by Martin Zubimendi. But for most of the match, he was effectively neutralized by left-back Nuno Mendes.
"The young winger struggled to make a real impact, unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, who, even at his age, still knows how to deliver when it matters most," beIN SPORTS added.
BBC hailed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's instinct and persistence.
"This is why Cristiano Ronaldo is on the football pitch," said former England midfielder Andros Townsend, as cited in the report. "He is a predator in the box. He knows where the ball is going to go. Good contact when it comes to him."
ITV analyst Karen Carney added: "When you turn 30 everyone calls you old in football. This guy is 40 and he is constantly defying us."
Sky Sports journalist Guillem Balague was more blunt: "Yamal will learn tonight. He was completely anonymous. He will have to think of ways of doing this."
The Telegraph ran the headline: "Move aside, Yamal— Cristiano Ronaldo seizes moment by any means possible."
This match marked the first time Yamal has lost a final as a starter. For Ronaldo, it was his second UEFA Nations League title, having first lifted the trophy in 2019.
Ronaldo offered words of encouragement to his young opponent after the match.
"He's a phenomenon, but we need to let him be, that's what I ask. He has a very long career ahead of him and will surely win the Nations League many times."
Four goals in the UEFA Nations League final between Portugal and Spain on June 8, 2025.
