The 2024/25 Nations League concluded on Sunday the 8th of June 2025 with an Iberian derby between two previous winners, Portugal and Spain. Despite twice going behind, it was underdogs Portugal that prevailed, winning on penalties in the end. They were second best for much of the clash but the record books will show that it is they who have become the first nation ever to win the relatively new competition more than once.
How Did the 2024/25 Nations League Unfold?
As usual, there were 16 teams in League A, spread over four groups of four. The biggest and most obvious absentee was England, who had been relegated to League B after a poor showing last time around. Among the 16 nations who had a theoretical chance of glory there were several who most would have essentially written off from the start.
The four teams coming up from League B, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Scotland, were realistically hoping simply to hold onto their spot in the top tier. The likes of Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, Denmark and Croatia might have thought they could challenge but knew they were outsiders. The group of big boys, defending champions Spain, plus Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and France, were the nations that the bookies and most fans expected to produce the winner and so it proved.
Group Phase Sees Three Nations Go Unbeaten
Portugal had perhaps the easiest group on paper and duly topped A1, winning four and drawing two of their games. That saw them finish six points clear of Croatia, with both Scotland and Poland relegated.
A2 was the toughest quartet, featuring France, Italy, Belgium and Israel. The former two both won 13 points, thanks to four wins, a draw and a defeat. Surprisingly they both beat each other 3-1 away from home and so, level on the head-to-head, France progressed to the Nations League Finals on overall goal difference.
Germany came out on top in the third group, mustering 14 points, only dropping points in a 2-2 draw with second-placed Netherlands, in Amsterdam; and a 1-1 draw away against Hungary. Both Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were relegated.
The final quartet saw Spain progress with the best record of any of the group winners. They won five and drew one to easily see off Denmark, who were eight points back. Serbia finished third with Switzerland, who finished fourth in the inaugural Nations League Finals, relegated.
New Format Brings Quarter Finals
In previous editions of this tournament, the four group winners have progressed directly to the Finals but that was not the case this time around. Instead, group winners played one of the teams that finished second in the other groups in a new quarter-final phase, contested over two legs.
It had no real impact, however, other than adding more fixtures to the schedule, as all four table-toppers saw off their opponents to book their place in the semis.
- Germany beat Italy 5-4 on aggregate
- Portugal beat Denmark 5-3 after extra time
- Spain beat Netherlands on penalties
- France beat Croatia on penalties
As you can see, all four quarters were incredibly close and could have gone either way. Nonetheless, it was four group winners who would head to Germany for the finals, with nothing much to split them, especially when home advantage was factored into the equation.
Semis Provide Drama
Germany welcomed Portugal to Munich for the first semi and Liverpool target Florian Wirtz gave the home fans plenty to cheer about when he gave his men the lead after 48 minutes. However, Portugal struck back after 63 minutes before Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner after 68. It was CR7’s 137th goal for Portugal but the first time he had been on the winning side against Germany.
The other clash, between the teams that contested the final in 2021, was an absolute belter! Spain beat France 5-4 in the end but they were given a mighty scare having let a 4-0 lead slip. Perhaps the world’s best player at the moment, Lamine Yamal, scored twice, one a penalty that he won, and was generally superb. However, Spain, who also led 5-1, were hit by a French fightback in what was an absorbing encounter.
Spain Dominate Final But Portugal Claim Title
Portugal win the Nations League! 🇵🇹🏆#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/7PlHVxcEzd
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 8, 2025
A few days later, with Portugal able to have 24 hours more rest, Iberian rivals would lock horns to decide the winner. Earlier the same day, though, France saw off the host nation Germany 2-0 in that not-at-all-important third-place play-off clash. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise got the goals.
The final, at Munich’s wonderful Allianz Arena, was a thrilling, high-class match that did much to lift the standing of this competition. There were relatively few chances but the all-round standard of play was superb and Spain once again showed that they are very much back as a force in world football.
They deservedly and quite comfortably beat England in the final of Euro 2024, having also won the 2023 Nations League. It looked like they were on target for a hat-trick of trophies here as they took the lead through Martín Zubimendi after 21 minutes. It was no more than their play warranted but Portugal almost immediately hit back with their first shot on target.
Just five minutes later Nuno Mendes equalised with a fine low strike after driving forward into the box. Just before half time Mikel Oyarzabal, who scored the winner against England in that Euro 2024 finale, made it 2-1 here too. Portugal could not argue with being behind given the xG at the break was 0.11 versus 1.64 in Spain’s favour.
The second half was more even, though Portugal again had only one shot on target. It came from Ronaldo, of course, as he extended his record tally of international goals to 138, equalising after 61 minutes. It was a scrappy goal but he was in the right place and finished easily and in the end it was that goal that facilitated Portugal’s win.
Extra time was, as it so often is, muted, though again Portugal held their own far better than they had in the first 45 minutes. Neither team could score again though, although Spain had chances late on, and so it went to penalties, with Ronaldo already subbed off injured. Yamal had also been withdrawn, having been well marshalled by the exceptional Mendes.
Portugal were flawless from the spot, Bruno and Mendes among the scorers but Alvaro Morata’s effort, Spain’s fourth, was saved. That gave Ruben Neves the chance to make history for Portugal and he slotted home. A second Nations League and third trophy for Ronaldo’s Portugal brought tears from the talisman and relief for victorious manager Roberto Martinez, who should now keep his job after pressure had been mounting.