When the moment came, Cristiano Ronaldo hid his face and leant on his international teammates. Over on the touchline at the Allianz Arena he couldn?t watch but he heard the roar as R?ben Neves scored the penalty that took Portugal to the title and then the tears came. It had taken a shoot out but Portugal have their second Nations League, defeating Spain in Munich. He had scored the goal that helped them get that far, been forced to make made way with minutes remaining, listened to the tension as ?lvaro Morata missed and Unai Sim?n could not save the last kick, then off he went to collect the trophy, his 34th at 40 years of age.
It had been a long night, and if it was a battle of the generations, between him and Lamine Yamal, he had won it. In truth, though, this had been about many more men than them. About Mikel Oyarzabal and Martin Zubimendi, Nuno Mendes too. And in the end, about Diogo Costa who saved Spain?s fourth penalty and Neves who scored Portugal?s fifth.
Continue reading...

More...