This Sunday night, two of Europe’s most passionate footballing nations, Spain and Portugal, will face off in Munich for a shot at history. Both teams are vying to become the first to win the UEFA Nations League twice, and based on the drama of their semifinals, fans are in for an exciting encounter. With both teams securing their spots in the final in dramatic fashion, this Iberian derby promises to be a thrilling match.
Portugal’s Dramatic Path to the Final
Portugal made a powerful statement in their semifinal match against hosts Germany. Although Germany took an early lead through Florian Wirtz, Portugal responded in style. Francisco Conceicao and Cristiano Ronaldo each found the back of the net in quick succession, propelling Portugal to their first Nations League final since winning the inaugural competition in 2019.
Spain’s Thrilling Victory Over France
On the other side, Spain had their hands full in a wild encounter against France. Despite a four-goal lead, thanks to a brilliant performance by Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the French squad mounted a dramatic comeback attempt. Kylian Mbappé’s penalty and a stunning debut goal from Rayan Cherki kept France alive. But Spain held on for a 5-4 win in a nail-biting affair. For Spain, winning this final would solidify their position as Europe’s top team, defending the title they won in the Netherlands two years ago.
Viewing Information and Odds
- Date: Sunday, June 8
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Allianz Arena, Munich
- TV: FS1
- Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
- Odds: Portugal +270; Draw +260; Spain -110
Recent Meetings Between Spain and Portugal
The Iberian derby has been nothing short of thrilling in recent years. The last encounter in the 2018 World Cup ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw, while Spain won a tense 1-0 match against Portugal in 2010 on their way to lifting the World Cup. Their most recent clashes in the Nations League group stage also provided plenty of drama. Spain earned a hard-fought 1-0 win in Braga, marking their first competitive victory in Portugal in 88 years, with Álvaro Morata playing a crucial role.
Best Bets
- Lamine Yamal to score and Spain to win (+320): Yamal’s exceptional performance against France makes him a key player in this final. Despite the defensive challenge posed by Portugal’s Nuno Mendes, Yamal has been delivering in high-stakes games and could be crucial once again.
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
No one embodies the drama of this match quite like Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese legend, who holds the record for most international goals, continues to perform at the highest level. Even without scoring against Germany, Ronaldo played a pivotal role in Portugal’s victory. Expect him to be at the heart of the action, as Portugal often funnels their attacks through him.
Both teams have shown they can score and concede plenty, and with the attacking talent on display, this game could go in many directions. Spain’s consistency and strong squad make them the favorites, but Portugal’s attacking threat, led by Ronaldo, should not be underestimated. Prediction: Portugal 1, Spain 3.
