The stats: goal machine Ronaldo and finals go hand in hand

Cristiano Ronaldo adds another final goal to his legacy in Nations League triumph.

On Sunday night in Munich, Portugal clinched the UEFA Nations League title in dramatic fashion, defeating Spain 5-3 on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time. The final was packed with narratives, none more compelling than that of Cristiano Ronaldo the 40-year-old icon who once again demonstrated his incredible knack for delivering in football’s biggest moments.

For Ronaldo, it marked the 39th final of his glittering career a staggering number that places him among the most experienced players in the history of the game when it comes to high-stakes encounters. Coincidentally, one of his previous final appearances had also come in the Nations League, back in 2019, when Portugal defeated the Netherlands to win the inaugural edition of the competition. On that occasion, Ronaldo didn't get on the scoresheet. But in Munich, he more than made up for it, scoring a crucial second-half goal to bring Portugal level and help force the match into extra time.

That strike meant Ronaldo has now scored in the final of eleven different competitions and tournaments, a feat virtually unmatched in modern football. From the grand stage of the Champions League to domestic cup finals in multiple countries, Ronaldo has consistently delivered when silverware is on the line. His tally of 24 goals in regulation time or extra time of finals is simply astonishing. In addition, he has converted four penalties in shootouts though those are typically not included in official goal tallies for finals.

The list of tournaments where Ronaldo has scored in finals includes:

• UEFA Champions League
• UEFA Nations League
• Copa del Rey
• FA Cup
• League Cup
• UEFA Super Cup
• Spanish Super Cup
• FIFA Club World Cup
• Italian Super Cup
• Arab Club Champions Cup
• Saudi Super Cup

Ronaldo’s scoring record in finals is particularly impressive in the Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup where he has found the net four times in each competition. Notably, he scored twice in the 2017 Champions League final against Juventus for Real Madrid a performance widely remembered as one of his finest on the biggest stage. And in 2016, he delivered a hat-trick in the Club World Cup final against Japan’s Kashima Antlers, again with Real Madrid.

The goal against Spain in this Nations League final was vintage Ronaldo. After a quiet first half, he came alive in the second, using his strength and positioning to control a low cross before firing powerfully into the net from close range. His goal leveled the score at 2-2, setting the stage for extra time and eventually penalties.

Although Ronaldo was substituted late in regulation due to a minor knock, his influence had already been stamped on the game. From the sidelines, he watched nervously as his teammates held firm through extra time and then calmly dispatched all five penalties in the shootout. Spain, meanwhile, faltered when it mattered most Álvaro Morata’s spot-kick was saved by Diogo Costa, handing Portugal the edge they needed to clinch the title.

Tears welled up in Ronaldo’s eyes after the final whistle, as the reality of yet another international triumph sank in. It was Portugal’s second Nations League crown and their third major international title overall, following their Euro 2016 and Nations League 2019 victories. For Ronaldo, it was yet another milestone in a career overflowing with them and perhaps one of the last, as he nears the end of his competitive journey with the national team.

What makes Ronaldo’s legacy in finals even more unique is the sheer range of competitions and clubs he’s represented at the highest level. Few players have lifted trophies in England, Spain, Italy, and now Saudi Arabia and even fewer have scored in final after final in each of those leagues and across Europe and beyond. His ability to perform under pressure, in matches where the stakes are highest, is part of what separates him from even the most elite players of his generation.

Breakdown of Ronaldo’s goals in finals:

Competition/Tournament	Goals Scored	Finals Played
Champions League	4	6
Nations League	1	1
Copa del Rey	2	2
FA Cup	1	3
League Cup	1	2
UEFA Super Cup	2	2
Spanish Super Cup	4	7
FIFA Club World Cup	4	4
Italian Super Cup	2	3
Arab Club Champions Cup	2	1
Saudi Super Cup	1	1

Cristiano Ronaldo’s impact on the game is already immortal, but his relentless drive to contribute when everything is on the line continues to define him. Sunday's goal and Portugal's ultimate triumph added another chapter to one of football's most legendary careers.