Cristiano Ronaldo lifted a trophy. Lamine Yamal lifted eyebrows. One ended in tears of joy, the other in silent frustration.

Ronaldo vs. Yamal was the story heading into Sunday's UEFA Nations League final, but Portugal's collective quality won the day -- and the headlines -- over Spain's impressive young talent.

Cristiano Ronaldo has jumped to the defence of Lamine Yamal, saying that the Spanish sensation should be left alone and given his space. Yamal had a lacklustre outing in the final of the Nations League against Portugal.