Portugal vs Spain: UEFA Nations League Final PreviewThe culmination of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League arrives on Sunday, June 8, 2025 (20:00 WAT) at the Munich Football Arena, where Portugal and Spain will contest the title. Spain, reigning champions under Luis de la Fuente, seek back-to-back triumphs, while Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo at 40, aim to reclaim the crown they first won in 2019
Form Guide & Road to the Final
Portugal (Roberto Martínez)
Group Stage:
05/09/24: Portugal 2–1 Croatia
08/09/24: Portugal 2–1 Scotland
12/10/24: Poland 1–3 Portugal
15/10/24: Scotland 0–0 Portugal
15/11/24: Portugal 5–1 Poland
18/11/24: Croatia 1–1 Portugal
Knockouts:
QF (23/03/25): Portugal 5–2 Denmark (agg: 5–3 AET)
SF (04/06/25): Germany 1–2 Portugal
Spain (Luis de la Fuente)
Group Stage:
05/09/24: Serbia 0–0 Spain
08/09/24: Switzerland 1–4 Spain
12/10/24: Spain 1–0 Denmark
15/10/24: Spain 3–0 Serbia
15/11/24: Denmark 1–2 Spain
18/11/24: Spain 3–2 Switzerland
Knockouts:
QF (23/03/25): Spain 3–3 Netherlands (5–4 pens)
SF (05/06/25): Spain 5–4 France
Key Battles
Midfield Mastery vs Midfield Magic:
Portugal’s engine, Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha, must outfox Spain’s high-octane duo of Lamine Yamal and Fabián Ruiz. Control of the midfield will define the tempo of the final
Wide Threats:
Spain’s full-backs Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal will have to contain Portugal’s marauding wingers Rafael Leão and João Cancelo, whose overlap and delivery present constant danger
Players to Watch
Cristiano Ronaldo (POR): The oldest scorer in Nations League history, Ronaldo’s predatory instincts could decide a tight final
Lamine Yamal (ESP): At 17, the youngest Ballon d’Or candidate is Spain’s creative spark, having terrorized France in the semis
Bruno Fernandes (POR): Portugal’s playmaker, his late runs and set-piece prowess remain lethal.
Fabián Ruiz (ESP): Tasked with breaking up play and linking defence to attack, his role is pivotal in nullifying Portugal’s midfield runners
Tactical Preview
Portugal are expected to deploy a flexible 4-3-3, with Vitinha dictating play from deep and Bruno Fernandes roaming into pockets to combine with Bernardo Silva and Cristiano Ronaldo up front. Spain will stick to a fluid 4-2-3-1, focusing on possession, high pressing and rapid interchanges to exploit any Portuguese gaps
Prediction
This final promises a tactical tug-of-war. Spain’s collective coherence and unbeaten streak of 10 away Nations League matches give them a slight edge. A 1–1 deadlock after 90 minutes followed by a 5–4 penalty shoot-out win for La Roja seems the likeliest outcome.
Kick-off: Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 20:00 WAT (21:00 CET) | Munich Football Arena
