Spain and Portugal are set to clash on Sunday evening in Munich, with both nations aiming to become the first two-time champions of the UEFA Nations League. If the recent semifinals are any indication, this encounter promises excitement, as both teams navigated their way to the final through dramatic victories earlier in the week.
The Portuguese side was the first to secure their spot in the final, doing so with an impressive performance against the host nation, Germany. Florian Wirtz gave Die Mannschaft an early lead in the first half, but Roberto Martinez`s squad mounted a strong comeback. Quick goals from Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo propelled them into their first final since they claimed the inaugural title in 2019.
The intense drama witnessed in Munich on Wednesday was soon overshadowed by the events unfolding in the match between Spain and France. The reigning European champions established a commanding four-goal lead, with Lamine Yamal showcasing particularly inspired form. Their hopes of a French comeback seemed dashed when the young Barcelona player matched Kylian Mbappe`s penalty with one of his own. However, a thrilling late surge, sparked by Rayan Cherki`s brilliant debut goal, saw France narrowly lose 5-4, but they exited the tournament fighting until the end.
For Spain, a victory here would solidify their position as Europe`s premier footballing nation, defending the championship they secured in the Netherlands two years ago. Yet, Portugal would undoubtedly relish the opportunity to upset their close neighbor. Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming match:
Last Meeting
Recent matchups in the Iberian derby have been rich in drama, most notably the captivating 3-3 draw at the 2018 World Cup and a tight 1-0 win for Spain eight years earlier during their successful campaign for football`s biggest prize. More recently, these two teams met in the Nations League group stage, where Alvaro Morata played a decisive role. In the home fixture, his early goal was canceled out by Ricardo Horta, but there was no such recovery for Portugal when they met in Braga. In that encounter, the Galatasaray striker, who was an unused substitute in Thursday`s semifinal, scored in the 88th minute to earn La Furia Roja their first competitive victory on Portuguese soil in 88 years.
Best Bets
Lamine Yamal to score and Spain to win (+320): Yamal was in unstoppable form against France, recording five shots and six touches inside the penalty area. Nuno Mendes is a capable one-on-one defender, but the Paris Saint-Germain left-back might face his toughest challenge yet, particularly because Yamal consistently performs in high-pressure matches.
Predicted Lineups
Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Neves, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceicao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto
Spain XI: Unai Simon; Pedro Porro, Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams
Player to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: Who else could it possibly be? The all-time leading goalscorer in men`s international football continues to find the back of the net, and even without his goal against Germany, his performance was notably impressive. Portugal`s attacking setup is designed to create chances for Ronaldo, and he is always eager to take them, attempting seven shots on Wednesday evening.
Prediction
This final might not reach the sheer dramatic heights of Thursday`s semifinal, but both teams possess the ability to score and concede goals freely. The outcome is difficult to call, but Spain`s overall consistency and reliability make them the slight favorites. PREDICTION: Portugal 1, Spain 3
