Heartbreak for Lamine Yamal and Pedri as Spain beaten by Portugal in Nations League final

Barcelona duo Pedri and Lamine Yamal tasted defeat on Sunday night as Spain were beaten by Portugal in the final of the Nations League in a penalty shoot-out.

Spain had opened the scoring on 21 minutes through Martin Zubimendi. Some neat football ended with Yamal dinking the ball into the box, and it eventually fell to Zubimendi to crash home from close range.

Yet Spain’s celebrations were short-lived as Portugal hit back five minutes later. Nuno Mendes levelled the game up with a fine low strike that fizzed across goal and into the back of the net.

With the game heading towards half-time, Spain managed to restore their lead after a great run forwards from Pedri. The Barca star drove at Portugal and then produced a wonderful ball for Mikel Oyarzabal to poke past Diogo Costa and make it 2-1.

3 - Pedri González has been involed in three goals in his last four matches with Spain in all competitions (one goal and two assists), just one fewer than in his previous 30 international appearances (two goals and two assists). Confidence. pic.twitter.com/C0u1UEfx50 — OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 8, 2025

Bruno Fernandes then had the ball in the back of the net right at the start of the second half but saw it disallowed for offside. However, Portugal did manage to level on the hour when Cristiano Ronaldo knocked home Nuno Mendes’ deflected cross from close range.

Both sides made changes late on and went for the win, with Luis de la Fuente taking off Pedri who enjoyed another eye-catching performance for Spain.

Pedri vs Portugal:

65 touches

100% passes completed (52/52)

100% dribbles completed (1/1)

100% ground duels won (2/2)

5x possession won

7 passes into final third

4 key passes

1 big chance created

1 assist

Maestro. #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/nAK1sStczv — WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 8, 2025

Spain substitute Isco had the best chance of the closing stages as he tested Costa with a curling shot that the goalkeeper tipped over the bar as the game ended 2-2 and went into extra-time.

Portugal looked the more threatening team in the extra period, with substitute Rafa Leao causing all sorts of problems down the left wing but neither team could find a winner, meaning the game went to penalties.

A tense shoot-out followed with Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Fernandes and Nuno Mendes all on target for Portugal. Mikel Merino, Alex Baena, and Isco scored their kicks but Alvaro Morata’s effort was saved which allowed Ruben Neves to win it for Portugal

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