Tonight at the Allianz Arena, Portugal and Spain will battle for the Nations League trophy, while Germany and France face off for third place. Before the action begins, let’s take a closer look at which team holds the advantage.
Portugal and Spain are set to clash for UEFA Nations League glory at Munich’s Allianz Arena. Both teams are aiming for their second title in the competition’s brief history — Spain looking to secure back-to-back wins, while Portugal hopes to reclaim the trophy they first lifted in 2019.
Few anticipated Portugal reaching this stage, but under Roberto Martinez, they defied the odds by knocking out Germany in an exciting semi-final. Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo helped overturn a first-half deficit, with Ronaldo’s close-range winner securing Portugal’s first victory over Germany in 25 years. This goal also marked yet another milestone in the legendary forward’s illustrious career.
Luis de la Fuente’s Spain have been unstoppable in attack this Nations League season, scoring 23 goals in nine matches. Their dominant 6-0 aggregate win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals showcased their firepower. Although they nearly let a four-goal lead slip against France, Spain remain unbeaten in competitive games since March 2023. With Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria awaiting them in World Cup qualifying, La Roja look well-positioned to continue their strong run.
Historically, Spain and Portugal have met 40 times across all competitions, with Spain leading the head-to-head record with 17 wins to Portugal’s six. The rest of the matches ended in draws. Recently, Portugal has found good form in the Nations League, winning their last two games and scoring seven goals, while Spain remains unbeaten in their last 19 matches across all competitions, their last loss coming against Colombia in March last year.
Before the final between Portugal and Spain, fans will also watch the battle for third place between Germany and France. Hosts Germany and France will meet in Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon, both recovering from semi-final disappointment. Germany took an early lead against Portugal but ultimately fell short, while France’s late surge couldn’t prevent Spain from reaching the final. Both teams will be eager to finish on a high, promising an intense and competitive contest between these European powerhouses.
Predicted Lineups
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Nelson Semedo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves; Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo, Pedro Neto
Spain: Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Merino, Williams; Oyarzabal
