Martin Zubimendi admitted feeling disappointed after Spain lost to Portugal in a penalty shootout at the UEFA Nations League final in Munich. The Spanish midfielder shared his thoughts following his team's heartbreaking defeat in what was their third consecutive Nations League final appearance.
"It's not easy to draw conclusions right now, but we should be proud that we've played in three Nations League finals in a row, regardless of their final outcomes," Zubimendi stated after the match.
The game proved to be extremely challenging for both sides, with neither able to secure victory during regular time. Spain's midfielder acknowledged the quality of their opponents while reflecting on the razor-thin margins that decided the final outcome.
"The match was really very difficult. We knew Portugal's qualities and knew it would be a tough game. They have excellent players, just like we do," he explained.
Interestingly, this marks another close call for the Spanish side who have established themselves as consistent performers in the competition despite not lifting the trophy this time.
Zubimendi didn't shy away from addressing the disappointment of losing on penalties. "When you lose on penalties, unfortunately — it's the same defeat as any other, and you have to accept it," he noted with evident frustration.
Despite the setback, the "La Roja" midfielder emphasized the team's need to move forward. "We really believed in winning this tournament, and the disappointment will stay with us for some time. But now we need to rest and focus on future performances."
Can Spain bounce back from this defeat and continue their impressive run of reaching finals? Only time will tell, but their consistency suggests they'll remain among Europe's elite teams for the foreseeable future.
