Pedro Neto has made it two European trophies in just as many weeks, after helping Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title on Sunday night in Munich.
Despite being a distinctly second-rate competition (sort of), there was plenty of drama, effort, and emotion on display from both sides, with Portugal coming twice from behind in regulation before winning it with a set of five perfect spot kicks. Unfortunately, though entirely predictably, ex-Chelsea shrinking violet Álvaro Morata was the only player to miss in the shootout. Chin up, big man!
Neto matched up directly against Marc Cucurella on the wing, and both had decisive roles in the outcome. Neto set up Portugal’s first equalizer (finished off by the excellent Nuno Mendes) while Cucurella was beaten quite badly for their second by the ageless Cristiano Ronaldo. To this day, I’m haunted by that guy beating Michael Essien in the air in the 2008 [Champions League](https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league) final, so Cucu isn’t in bad company but he should’ve done a lot better on that one.
Spain looked to have the game in the bag for most of the time, but just like in the semifinals, let their opponents back into the contest (maybe don’t take Pedri off?). Their unbeaten streak thus ends at 19, though they’re obviously still favorites for next year’s World Cup as things stand.
Neto played all but the second period of extra time, while Cucurella was out there for the full 120. Renato Veiga played the final 15 of regulation, plus twice 15 more in extra time, but João Félix was once again an unused substitute by manager Roberto Martínez. Neither Cucu nor Veiga took a penalty in the shootout.
Also, Earlier in the day, Malo Gusto started for France in the third-place game, and helped them dispatch Germany, 2-0.
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