Portugal Clinches UEFA Title on Portugal Day Weekend

There is a prestige championship that is held every other year called the “UEFA Nations League”, with multiple European countries going through knock-out stages until the finals . The league was founded in 2018, and there is only one country that has succeeded more than once. None other than Portugal, where soccer is one of the main pillars of their culture, has won twice. 

Sunday, June 8, 2025, Portugal versed Spain in what was a nail biting match. Kick-off happened at 3:00 pm EST, and in just 14 minutes Gonçalo Inácio, a defender for Portugal had received a yellow card. Just moments later Martín Zubimendi had scored a goal for Spain in the 21st minute. Without hesitation, Portugal took advantage of the moment and Nuno Mendes found the back of the net with an assist from Pedro Neto (26th minute). At half-time it was 2:1 in favor of Spain. Portugal was trailing behind with one yellow card and one goal, while Spain had 1 yellow card on Fabián Ruiz and 2 goals from Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal. 

At the beginning of the second half, Portugal made substitutions that may have helped them in the defensive perspective. They made the executive decision to take out Francisco Conceição, and put in Rúben Neves as well as taking out João Neves and sending in Nélson Semedo. At the 61st minute mark, none other than Cristiano Ronaldo himself scored a second goal for Portugal. While many more substitutions were made from both teams throughout the half, it was a tough game as it ended in a tie, with the only way out being a penalty shoot out. 

Spain and Portugal both had their top five up, and the tension in the stadium was loud. Spain lined up Mikel Merino, Álex Baena, Isco, and Álvaro Morata. They made three penalties and missed the fourth, their fifth player didn’t get their shot because Portugal then found the back of the net all five times. Portugal lined up Gonçalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, and last but not least Rúben Neves made it 5:3 in the penalty shoot out. With help from everyone on the team Portugal became the UEFA’s Nations League champions and two time champions at that!

What is even more special about this game is that it took place on the last day of the Portugal Day Weekend in Ironbound, Newark, New Jersey. The excitement, tears of joy, and happiness radiating up and down Ferry Street were like no other. What a way to end a weekend, celebrating Portuguese culture. 

Tatyana Da Silva

DiSportsPhotoAgency

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