Portugal VS Spain: When, How to Watch & Score Prediction
Spain and Portugal meet in Munich on Sunday night with the Nations League title on the line and the spotlight split between a teenage prodigy and a footballing icon.
On one side stands Cristiano Ronaldo, 40 years old, 220 caps, and still delivering. The Portuguese captain scored the winner in the dramatic semi-final against Germany. On the other is Lamine Yamal, just 17, already a European champion, and fresh off a brilliant brace in Spain's wild 5-4 win over France.
Kick-off is at 8 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports 1 MENA, BeIN Sports 1 English, and TF1.
Portugal were not expected to get this far. They scraped past Denmark in extra time, then came from behind to beat Germany in Munich. Francisco Conceicao came off the bench to score a stunner and is now pushing for a start.
Portugal's head coach Roberto Martinez has been under pressure since the Euros exit to France, but a second Nations League crown would help restore faith.
Spain have looked the more complete team. Luis de la Fuente's men put six past the Netherlands over two legs and then stunned France in a semi-final for the history books. Yamal stole the headlines, but Nico Williams, Pedri and Oyarzabal all played their part in an attack that looks fluid, lethal, and full of confidence.
Their defence is less convincing. Spain nearly let a four-goal lead slip against France and struggled to keep things tight in the final half hour. Pedro Porro and Dean Huijsen looked shaky, and an own goal from Dani Vivian did not help matters. Unai Simon will start in goal, with Cucurella expected to return at left-back.
Portugal will likely stick with Diogo Costa in goal and a back four of Dalot, Dias, Inacio and Mendes. Joao Neves is set to return to midfield alongside Vitinha and Bernardo Silva. Ronaldo will lead the line, supported by Bruno Fernandes and Conceicao if he gets the nod.
Both nations have lifted this trophy before. Spain are the defending champions. Portugal were the first winners in 2019. This time, only one walks away with the silverware.
Possible Lineups:
Portugal: Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; J. Neves, Vitinha, Bernardo; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Fernandes
Spain: Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Merino, Fabian, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams
Predicted Score:
Both teams have plenty of firepower but remain shaky at the back, so a high-scoring affair is likely. MWN say: Portugal 2-3 Spain Tags: Cristiano Ronaldolamine yamalPortugalSpainUEFA Nations League
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