2024/25 UEFA Nations League season review

Portugal became the first team to lift the UEFA Nations League trophy on two occasions thanks to their dramatic victory on penalties against Spain in the Munich Football Arena.

Roberto Martínez's men fell behind twice in the first half, first to Martin Zubimendi then to Mikel Oyarzabal, but Nuno Mendes levelled before the break and Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed their second equaliser. It took penalties to separate the teams eventually with Diogo Costa saving from Álvaro Morata with Portugal 4-3 ahead, enabling Rúben Neves to drive in the decisive spot kick.

Which sides reached the final tournament?

France, Portugal, Spain and hosts Germany featured at the final tournament, which ran from 4 to 8 June. Portugal overcame the host nation 2-1 in the opening semi-final in Munich before a scintillating tie between Spain and France in Stuttgart ended 5-4 to La Roja – the highest-scoring game in Nations League history. Some consolation for Les Bleus came when they defeated Germany 2-0 in the third-place play-off.

Awards

UEFA Top Scorer trophy presented by Alipay+: Viktor Gyökeres (nine goals, league phase to final)

Player of the Finals: Nuno Mendes (Portugal)

Top 2024/25 UEFA Nations League facts

• Portugal were the first nation to win this competition twice, while Spain competed in a record third successive decider.

• Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player over the age of 40 to play and score in the final. The oldest player to feature previously was Luka Modrić (37 years 282 days vs Spain in 2023).

• Yeremy Pino, Mikel Merino and Unai Simón all made an appearance for Spain in the final of the last three editions of the Nations League (2021, 2023, 2025).

• In the final, Bernardo Silva moved level with Gianluigi Donnarumma (26) for the most appearances in the history of the Nations League.

• Spain's 5-4 victory over France in the semi-finals featured the most goals of any match in the competition's history.

• La Roja scored 25 goals in ten matches in the 2024/25 Nations League, the most by any team in a single edition of the competition.