The 2026 Lisbon Veterans Plate Final guaranteed Moldovan success, but both Tricolor and FC Moldova United were determined to ensure the trophy would be theirs. In a closely contested and hard-fought final, FC Moldova United struck first through the in-form Vitalie Tasca, who continued his excellent knockout-stage form by scoring for the second match running after his semi-final heroics. His goal gave FC Moldova United a narrow 1–0 lead at the break. Tricolor, who had impressed throughout the afternoon with their attacking football, refused to let the game slip away and found a route back into the contest through Eujeniu Cubricou. His fifth goal of the tournament levelled the scores at 1–1 in the second half and ensured the final would go all the way to penalties after neither side could find a winner in normal time.

The shootout began in dramatic fashion. Tricolor handed the first responsibility to Victor Creanga, who had scored six goals during the day and had been one of the stars of the tournament. However, with the pressure at its highest, he was unable to convert. FC Moldova United immediately capitalised as Ion Untilii calmly slotted home to put his side 1–0 ahead. Tricolor responded well when Eujeniu Cubricou converted to make it 1–1, but there was another twist when Alexei Gorii, one of FC Moldova United's leading scorers, also missed his penalty. Suddenly, both teams' attacking talismen had been denied from the spot.

The drama continued as Colea Coceban converted to edge Tricolor 2–1 ahead and place FC Moldova United under pressure. Vitalie Tasca then stepped forward knowing a miss would condemn his side to defeat. Showing the composure that had defined his performances all day, he found the net to level the shootout at 2–2 and send the contest into sudden death. When Sasa Buso missed for Tricolor, the opportunity was there for FC Moldova United to seize. Dionisie Bejenaru accepted the responsibility, held his nerve, and struck the decisive penalty to secure a 3–2 shootout victory and spark celebrations among his teammates.

For Tricolor, there was heartbreak at the end of what had been a superb recovery. After losing their opening two group matches, they had battled back magnificently, produced one of the shocks of the tournament by defeating FC Poloboc, and reached the final through an impressive semi-final performance. They played their full part in a memorable final and were only a single penalty away from lifting the trophy. They can leave Lisbon with enormous credit and plenty of pride in their achievements.

For FC Moldova United, this was a superb triumph. They recovered strongly from their group-stage setback against FC Moldova Montreal, grew stronger as the tournament progressed, and delivered when it mattered most in the knockout rounds. Their composure under pressure, particularly in the penalty shootout, was the hallmark of champions. Lifting the 2026 Lisbon Veterans Plate title was a fitting reward for a team that combined resilience, quality, and determination throughout the competition, and they leave Portugal with silverware and a place in the eurofootballfives.com history books.