Portugal and Spain clash in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final at the Allianz Arena on Sunday, June 8, at 8 PM (WAT). Both nations have already won the trophy once and now aim to become the first team to lift it twice.
Portugal were the inaugural Nations League champions, beating the Netherlands in 2019. This is their first return to the final since then. They topped League A Group 1 unbeaten, finishing with four wins and two draws.
In the quarter-finals, they edged past Denmark 5-3 on aggregate, despite losing the first leg. Their semi-final win over Germany was dramatic. After going 1-0 down, goals from Francisco Conceição and Cristiano Ronaldo secured a comeback victory.
Spain, the reigning Nations League champions, won the 2023 final on penalties against Croatia. After heartbreak in the 2021 final, this current squad looks ready to defend their crown.
La Roja had the best group-stage record in League A, earning 16 out of 18 points. Their only dropped points came in a goalless draw against Serbia. In the quarter-finals, Spain drew 5-5 with the Netherlands over two legs but advanced via penalties.
Their semi-final against France was another thriller. Spain led 5-1 before holding off a late surge to win 5-4, securing their place in back-to-back finals.
Portugal Team News:
Coach Roberto Martinez is unlikely to make major changes. Joao Neves, usually a midfielder, started at right-back in the semi-final—his role could be reassessed. Vitinha is pushing for a midfield start ahead of Ruben Neves.
Portugal Predicted XI: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, J. Neves, B. Fernandes; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Leao.
Portugal Predicted Substitutes: Sa (GK), Semedo (DEF), A. Silva (DEF), Veiga (DEF), Palhinha (MID), R. Neves (MID), Mora (MID), J. Felix (FWD), B. Silva (FWD), Ramos (FWD), Trincao (FWD), Jota (FWD).
Spain Team News Ahead of Nations League Final:
Spain’s strength lies in consistency. The trio of Pedri, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi dominated the midfield against France. Fabian Ruiz might challenge for a spot, but expect minimal rotation from Luis de la Fuente.
Spain Predicted Susbtitutes: Raya (GK), Le Normand (DEF), Vivian (DEF), Grimaldo (DEF), Olmo (MID), Ruiz (MID), Baena (MID), Isco (MID), F. Lopez (MID), Pino (FWD), Oyarzabal (FWD), Samu (FWD).
📊 Portugal vs Spain Head-to-Head:
Spain are unbeaten in their last six meetings with Portugal, though four matches ended in draws. The most recent clash was a 1-0 win for Spain in September 2022.
