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Spain vs Portugal live: Result and reaction as Ruben Neves scores decisive penalty Nations League final
Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 on penalties): Roberto Martinez’s men are the first team to win the Nations League twice
Portugal win the Nations League for the second time after a blistering penalty shootout with Spain.
Luis de le Fuente’s side were the favourites ahead of kick off and the first half proved why as the Spaniards swept into an early lead with pace and precision passing. Martin Zubimendi arrived in the box at the right time and turned in a deflection to put La Roja ahead.
Portugal responded four minutes late through a driving run from left-back Nuno Mendes. He cut inside from the left and guided a fine effort into the far bottom corner.
Just before half-time Mikel Oyarzabal restored Spain’s lead and it looked as though they would cruise to victory. Roberto Martinez’s half-time changes helped swing the momentum and Cristiano Ronaldo turned in an equaliser to force the game to penalties.
Portugal were perfect, scoring all five of theirs, with Alvaro Morata having his effort denied by Diogo Costa. That was the defining moment but Ruben Neves still had to score the last spot kick to secure the trophy and he did.
Relive the action from the Allianz Arena with our live blog below. Watch every Club World Cup game live on DAZN.
21 years since Portugal beat Spain
It’s been 21 years since Portugal beat Spain in a competitive fixture but Cristiano Ronaldo believes that fact has no bearing on tonight’s match.
“Each game is separate,” he said.
“We hadn’t beaten Germany in many years but pages turn. We know it’s going to be very tough but that is the nature of finals.
“Spain are very confident, have not lost in 24 [competitive] games but we have our own weapons. We believe it’s going to work out for us.”
'We're feeling upbeat and confident'
Cristiano Ronaldo says his team are confident about winning the Nations League when they come toe-to-toe with Spain later tonight.
The Portugal captain revealed: "We’re all feeling upbeat, confident, playing an amazing team, maybe the best in the world, but we’re confident after what we did in our last tie.
“I hope we can rise to the occasion and win it because this is the nature of final.
“We are at peace and we believe things will work out for us.”
'It's going to be a good final'
Portugal midfielder, João Neves, spoke in a press conference ahead of Sunday's game.
He said: "It's going to be a good final, which will be a pleasure to watch.
“We're expecting a very strong Spain side, as well as Portugal, who also have their strengths and want to take advantage of their opponents' weaknesses."
Yamal on stepping up against Ronaldo
Lamine Yamal is the latest Spanish star taking the headlines and he spoke about potential facing Cristiano Ronaldo in the Nations League showpiece.
The teenager said: "It’s a special game, a final against a great team. You get some extra motivation.
“I want to prove who I am in a game like this, but it’s extra motivation to get one more title in a game like this.
"Ronaldo is a legend and I have huge respect but I’ll do my job and try to win on Sunday.”
'It's very difficult to reach finals'
Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, spoke about the Nations League final and how he is targeting success.
“It’s very difficult to reach finals, and the important thing about this team is they are hungry,” he said.
“They want more success: competing and winning. The look in the eyes of the players who had been there before and the new players was the same.
“I’m excited to see young players who want to make history for the national team.”
Harry Kane admits England ‘got away with it’ against Andorra
England captain Harry Kane admits Thomas Tuchel’s side “got away with it” having put in a sloppy display in Saturday’s drab encounter with minnows Andorra.
After starting World Cup qualification, and the German’s reign, with Wembley wins against Albania and Latvia, things fell flat against the 173rd-best team in the world in Barcelona.
Harry Kane admits England ‘got away with it’ against Andorra
England’s drab display against Andorra shows football’s real problem
After a game that was so dismally lacking in spark, Thomas Tuchel had one message he clearly wanted to repeat, doing so in three different interviews: “We were playing with fire.”
It says much that a Champions League-winning manager genuinely thought there was a chance that England might slip up to Andorra. Another comment after this dreadful 1-0 win said even more.
England’s drab display against Andorra shows football’s real problem
'I hope to bring the cup back to Spain'
Following their epic win over France in the Nations League semi-final, Spain’s players have one aim in mind and that is to win the trophy.
Lamine Yamal spoke about facing Portugal in Sunday's final and said: "Just like our semi-final, [it's between] good teams. I hope to bring the cup back to Spain."
Meanwhile, his teammate, Pedri, added: "It won't be easy, but it's another final and we have to [be ready]."
Mikel Merino chose to pinpoint Portgual’s individual quality as their biggest threat saying: "They're another team of incredible quality – just look at the starting 11 and the squad. They are similar to France, with a lot of individual quality."
Team news - Portugal
As expected, Vitinha is promoted into the Portugal starting team, with Francisco Conceicao also deployed in the front three having featured off the bench against Germany.
Portugal XI: Costa; Neves, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, Silva; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto.
Francisco Conceicao on the final:
Speaking before he knew which opponent Portugal would play in the Nations League final, Francisco Conceicao, revealed that his team would just focus on themselves and prepare the best they can.
He said: "We know it’ll be a very tough game against Spain or France, both of whom are very strong teams, each with their own strengths.
“But we have to play our game, focus on ourselves, and do the best we can to win."
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