Bruno Fernandes praised Portugal's tactical discipline after their penalty shootout victory against Spain in the UEFA Nations League final in Munich. The midfield maestro highlighted how his team's aggressive pressing and individual brilliance secured the prestigious trophy.
"Everything we did during the game helped us win. We knew we were playing against a great team, but we also knew that we are a team of the same caliber," – Fernandes explained after the match.
The "European Selecao" relied heavily on their defensive structure when losing possession, a strategy that proved effective against Spain's dangerous wingers. This approach had already worked well in their previous match against Germany.
Fernandes particularly emphasized the contribution of Nuno Mendes, describing the left-back as "our motor on the left" who outran everyone on the pitch. Mendes provided two crucial assists that turned the tide in Portugal's favor.
Individual moments of brilliance also proved decisive in the match. Diogo Costa's save from Isco's shot and Ruben Neves' successful penalty conversion were singled out by Fernandes as game-changing actions.
"We don't need to be favorites in games or tournaments. It all depends on who's talking about it. For us, it doesn't matter. We, the Portuguese, go onto the field to win, regardless of who's in front of us," – the midfielder stated confidently.
Interestingly, Fernandes mentioned the "red wave" of Portuguese supporters who made the team feel like they were playing at home despite being in Munich. The passionate fan support proved invaluable throughout their journey to the final.
The victory celebration was particularly emotional for the squad. "I'm going to celebrate this victory with my teammates and my family. It's a special moment for everyone. Winning for Portugal is a completely different level of feeling," Fernandes added.
The triumph, however, came at a cost as Cristiano Ronaldo sustained an injury during the final. Will the Portuguese captain recover in time for their upcoming fixtures? That remains to be seen.
Portugal's victory marks another impressive achievement for a nation that continues to punch above its weight in international football competitions.
