Spain faced off against Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday in Munich, a tightly contested match that ended 2-2 after regulation and extra time. The title was ultimately decided by penalty kicks, and it was Alvaro Morata’s missed effort—the only one Spain failed to convert—that sealed their fate. The Spanish striker stepped up but could not convert, handing Portugal the championship and leaving La Roja in second place.
After the match, Morata spoke candidly about the emotional toll of the loss and the uncertainty surrounding his future with the national team. The veteran forward admitted that missing Spain’s next call-up in September, for the start of 2026 World Cup qualifying, is “a possibility.”
“I’m devastated because we all worked so hard to bring another title back to Spain,” Morata told reporters postgame. “I feel bad for my teammates. We gave everything. Of course, I didn’t hit the penalty well—I could’ve done better.”
Morata, who previously lifted the UEFA Euro trophy with Spain, said he accepted the consequences of his miss. “Just like I was lucky enough to lift the Euro, today it’s my turn to go home feeling frustrated. There’s nothing more I can do. You didn’t see me crying on the field, but I was hurting inside,” he added.
Alvaro Morata of Spain appears dejected as he collects his runners up medal following defeat in the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain
How Morata copes and what’s next for him
Speaking about the moment and how he handled the pressure, Morata made it clear that he had to stay composed in front of his family, even as the weight of the miss sank in. The 32-year-old emphasized growth and resilience.
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“I didn’t cry—though I wanted to,” Morata said. “But you grow up in life. My kids and my family were in the stands. Just like we won not long ago, today I failed, and it’s another hard moment. But that’s what life is. We learn, we move forward.”
When pressed about his national team future, Morata didn’t rule anything out but hinted that a break—or even retirement from international duty—could be on the table. “Nothing is certain. It depends on many things. Right now, I’m just thinking about what happened today and about my teammates. Maybe tomorrow I’ll think differently. But yes, it’s possible I won’t be there in September,” he said.
Morata grateful for support, praises Lamine Yamal
Morata expressed appreciation for head coach Luis de la Fuente, who publicly defended him after the soccer match. De la Fuente told reporters that he specifically asked Morata to take one of the penalty kicks. “I’m grateful, as always,” Morata responded.
He also took a moment to back Lamine Yamal, who faced some criticism despite an overall strong performance. “For me, it was a high-level match from Lamine and the whole squad,” Morata said. “Things look different after a penalty shootout. We’re lucky to have Lamine playing for Spain.”
