Portugal won the UEFA Nations League on Sunday despite Arsenal’s Mikel Merino converting a penalty for Spain and Gunners target Martin Zubimendi scoring early on.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK: David Raya of Spain applauds the fans as he warms up prior to the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A4 match between Denmark and Spain on November 15, 2024. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Arsenal fans had quite a few players to keep an eye on in the Nations League final between Portugal and Spain on Sunday, but almost exclusively from the Spanish side of the field.
Mikel Merino and David Raya were both in the matchday squad, though neither started the game. Merino came on in the 75th minute, whilst Raya was an unused substitute.
Martin Zubimendi has been heavily linked with Arsenal, and he was involved from the start, whilst another rumoured target in Nico Williams also started.
MUNICH, GERMANY: Martin Zubimendi of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images
Zubimendi opened the scoring in the final, driving his team forwards before capitalising on a loose ball in the penalty area for 1-0.
Portugal’s Nuno Mendes equalised in the 26th minute, Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal retook the lead in the 45th, but Portugal bounced back again through Cristiano Ronaldo to level the game at 2-2 just after the hour mark.
After that, Merino was introduced, but the Arsenal 28-year-old couldn’t break the deadlock in the remainder of normal time and extra time. The contest went to penalties.
MUNICH, GERMANY: Mikel Merino of Spain scores the team's first penalty in the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images
Merino stepped up first for Spain, converting with a confident spot-kick to send the goalkeeper the wrong way. But Portugal came out on top as Alvaro Morata was the only player to fail to convert.
The highlights are available here or below.
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