Agency Report
The reigning European champions started the game well as they pulled Portugal apart through a dazzling display of intricate passing. The domination eventually resulted in a goal after 21 minutes.
The Portuguese defence failed to clear a floated cross, and Joao Neves, playing out of position at right-back, could only poke a clearance straight to Arsenal-bound Martin Zubimendi who could not miss.
The opening goal fired the Portuguese team up, though, and they found a reply just five minutes later. A good run and impressive hold-up by Cristiano Ronaldo allowed Pedro Neto to find some space.
The Chelsea man spotted Nuno Mendes on the edge of the box and the left-back rifled into the bottom right corner. However, just when Portugal seemed to be taking a precious leveller into the half-time break, Mikel Oyarzabal lost Goncalo Inacio and guided home a neat Pedri through-ball.
The next goal came just before the hour mark, after Mendes burned Yamine Lamal to get to the byline, and his deflected cross looped to Ronaldo. The Portuguese captain was too strong for Marc Cucurella and passed the ball into the gaping net.
Both sides went in search of a winner and drew saves from Costa and Unai Simon in the Spain net, but extra time was required to separate the sides.
Extra-time started evenly with both sides flashing chances. In the biggest moment of the first half, Mendes tore through the Spanish defence, tumbled and produced a huge shout for a penalty – the calls were waved away, however.
Costa was almost caught out by a long-range Pedro Porro effort and a Diogo Jota header sailed over before the game went to penalties.
Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Fernandes and Mendes tucked their penalties away before Costa saved Alvaro Morata’s spot kick. Ruben Neves then buried his effort emphatically into the bottom-left corner to secure the Nations League title for Portugal.
France wins Bronze after setting up Germany
Kylian Mbappe bagged a goal and an assist as France beat Germany 2-0 in the Nations League bronze-medal match in Stuttgart on Sunday.
Mbappe wove his magic in a heavily changed France squad.
Germany dominated the opening half but Mbappe provided the breakthrough just before half-time, carving a shot through a crowded penalty box to bring up his 50th goal in France colours.
Late in the second, with the hosts desperately looking for an equaliser, Mbappe snatched a poor Germany pass on the halfway line and rampaged forward, before setting up Michael Olise.
The French showed their incredible depth, while Mbappe again demonstrated his finishing and pace.
France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni praised his club and international teammate Mbappe, saying “he’s a very important player for us and when he plays like he did today, it’s just amazing.”
For Germany, which lost two straight matches for the first time since 2023, questions remain over how much they have truly improved under Julian Nagelsmann.
Striker Niclas Fuellkrug lamented his side’s wastefulness, telling DAZN: “If we had taken our first chance and scored, it could have been three or four-nil for us.”
In the lead-up to Sunday’s encounter, France coach Didier Deschamps admitted the Nations League clash with old rivals Germany “isn’t the most important game for us,” with a clear focus on next year’s World Cup.
Deschamps made eight changes from the semi-final loss to Spain, with only captain Mbappe, goalie Mike Maignan, and midfield veteran Adrien Rabiot keeping their starting spots.
Nagelsmann also rotated heavily, making four changes, including bringing Fuellkrug back into the starting XI.
The Germans had a wealth of chances in the opening half. Karim Adeyemi won a penalty, but it was overturned by VAR for diving. Florian Wirtz hit the post.
Mbappe struck just before half-time. The Real Madrid man collected a pass which floated over the 1.77-metre tall Joshua Kimmich’s head, took a touch and hammered a shot home with his preferred right foot.
Nagelsmann replaced rookie striker Nick Woltemade with Deniz Undav at half-time. The move seemed to have paid immediate dividends. Undav had the ball in the net, but his effort was chalked off for a foul in the build-up.
Germany dominated possession and field position, but that left them vulnerable on the break to France’s lightning-fast forwards, led by Mbappe.
Marcus Thuram hit the post on 58 minute. Then Mbappe and substitute Olise, who plays in Germany for Bayern Munich, combined to seal the match for France.
The French captain pounced on a poor Robin Koch clearance on the halfway line and ran goalwards, squaring for the onrushing Olise to tap home with six minutes remaining.
Later on Sunday, reigning Nations League and Euros champions Spain face Portugal in Munich to decide this year’s crown.
