CNN
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Spain picked up a dramatic late victory over Portugal to qualify for next year’s Nations League final.
Portugal had looked more likely to take the lead throughout Tuesday’s match at Braga, but Álvaro Morata’s goal two minutes from time handed Spain an unlikely victory – the country’s first win in Portugal since 2003.
The 1-0 scoreline meant La Roja narrowly topped Group A2 with 11 points – one ahead of Portugal and two ahead of Switzerland – and joined Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands in the final.
Portugal, who only needed a draw to take the lead, came close in the first half when Diogo Jota was blocked by a powerful save from Unai Simón.
The keeper then denied Cristiano Ronaldo, brought in by Jota’s pass, from close range early in the second half before Rúben Dias saw his shot cleared over the bar by Dani Carvajal.
As the match entered its final stages and a draw seemed the most likely outcome, substitute Nico Williams headed for goal and into Morata’s path, who hooked a shot into the open net to trigger jubilant celebrations among the Spanish players and coaching staff.
Portugal had one more chance to equalize and return top of the group, but Ronaldo once again had a shot blocked by Simón’s legs.
“If we got knocked out it had to be leaving everything on the pitch and that’s how it happened once again for us,” Atlético Madrid’s Morata told reporters after the match. according to Reuters.
“Whenever Spain have to appear in big games, we do it. That’s how we do it and tonight we did it again.
A surprise 2-1 loss at home to Switzerland on Saturday seemed to have put qualification for the Nations League final beyond Spain’s reach before Morata’s late goal.
The final will take place in June next year with the host country chosen in January.
