CRISTIANO Ronaldo converted a game-tying goal, helping Portugal outlast Spain 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the finale of the UEFA Nations League on Monday at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
The 40-year-old Ronaldo found the back of the net in the 61st minute to level the match at 2-2 for Portugal, sending the one-game championship into penalty shootout.
“A captain with the type of experience he has is essential, to show the necessary values and personality,” said Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez, referring to Ronaldo.
“Spain was ahead on the scoreboard twice, but the captain has a lot of experience and we used his experience to show we are ready to win,” he added in a post-game interview.
Martín Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain in the 21st minute before Nuno Mendes tied the score for Portugal at 1-1 with a 26th minute hit before Spain regained the lead on a Mikel Oyarzabal connection.
After the game-tying hit by Ronaldo, it was Mendes who stepped up in the penalties as he converted a crucial kick that gave Portugal a 5-3 championship victory.
“He deserves everything. He helps us a lot on the pitch and off it,” Mendes said after the victory. “He’s got a winner mentality. He’s a role model. We’re happy we’ve got him.”
Meanwhile, France captured the third place finish with a 2-0 victory against Germany courtesy of goal conversions from captain Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise.
“When I create a team, it’s to ensure that it can be as dangerous as possible for the other side,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “On the basis of these two games, yes, we have the ability to score goals, and had we found more efficiency, it could have been more./PN
