Spain Faces Portugal in UEFA Nations League Final

Múnich, Alemania — Spain will defend its UEFA Nations League title and its dominance in European football against Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, on Sunday at 19:00 GMT.

Spanish coach Luis De la Fuente praised Ronaldo, saying, “Cristiano is an example for everyone, always eager to succeed. Portugal will be a tough opponent, as I always say.” De la Fuente’s remarks came after Spain’s thrilling 5-4 victory over France in the semifinals.

While Ronaldo remains a living legend of the sport, Spain is showcasing a new generation led by 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored twice against France. Yamal expressed respect for Ronaldo, but added, “I will do my job, which is to win. That’s it.”

Ronaldo, however, downplayed the individual matchup, stating, “The press likes to create these narratives. It will be a team against another team.”

The match at Allianz Arena will not only determine the champion but will also establish which country holds the title for the most victories in this young tournament, which has had three distinct champions: Portugal in 2019, France in 2021, and Spain in 2023.

A victory for Spain would mark three consecutive seasons with titles, following their Euros win in Germany last year and their UEFA Nations League title two years prior. The team has gone 19 matches without a loss since a friendly defeat to Colombia in March 2024.

De la Fuente acknowledged the pressures of winning, stating, “I am prepared for when the defeat comes. When one wins a lot, one is always closer to losing. Nothing is eternal, neither defeat nor victory.”

Portugal’s coach Roberto Martínez, hoping for an upset, stated, “On Sunday, we will try to play with character and show how important it is to wear this jersey,” following Portugal’s semifinal victory over Germany.

Martínez is aiming for his first title with the national team and a third for Portugal in the last decade after their Euro 2016 and Nations League 2019 wins. Winning would also help his job security amid rumors of possible replacements.

The anticipation extends beyond the final; earlier in the day, in Paris, Carlos Alcaraz will compete for the title at Roland Garros against Italy’s Jannik Sinner. This echoes last year’s simultaneous wins for Alcaraz at Wimbledon and Spain at the Euros.

In a separate matchup, Germany will face France for third place in Stuttgart at 13:00 GMT. The match is particularly important for both teams as they seek to regain confidence ahead of upcoming tournaments.