Spain Prepares for UEFA Nations League Final Against Portugal

Munich, Germany – Spain‘s chances of success in the UEFA Nations League are largely tied to Barcelona star Pedri, according to teammate Fabian Ruiz.

Pedri scored in Spain’s thrilling 5-4 semi-final win over France on June 5, which booked their place in the final against Portugal on June 10. Ruiz highlighted Pedri’s importance to the team, noting, “He’s incredibly important to us and he put on a show against France.”

Ruiz, coming off a successful season with Paris Saint-Germain, acknowledged that while Pedri is exceptional, the strength of the team lies in their unity. “It’s not just Pedri, it’s everyone. We know the tremendous quality we have,” he added.

Spain’s manager, Luis de la Fuente, also praised Pedri, who recently scored his first competitive goal for the national team. Pedri played a pivotal role in helping Barcelona secure three major trophies in the 2024/25 season.

The upcoming final will mark the first meeting between Spain and Portugal since 2022. Portugal won their semi-final against Germany 2-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the decisive goal. “Spain is a strong, young team with lots of potential,” said Joao Neves of Portugal, emphasizing that the match won’t only focus on Yamal.

Both teams have a storied history, with Spain holding a slight edge in their all-time record of 40 meetings, winning 17 and drawing 17. The semi-final against France saw a record nine goals scored, surpassing the previous high of eight in a single Nations League match.

With high stakes in the final, both teams are poised for what promises to be an unforgettable clash.