Nations league Final: Portugal vs Spain Expected Lineups

Portugal vs Spain – Nations League Final Preview

When: Sunday, June 8, 2025 Kick-off: 20:00 CET (15:00 ET, 12:00 PT) Where: Allianz Arena, Munich

🛡️ Portugal (4-3-3)

Roberto Martínez is expected to start with a strong XI, mixing youth and experience:

• Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa

• Defense: Nélson Semedo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes

• Midfield Trio: João Neves, Vitinha (replacing Bernardo Silva), Bruno Fernandes

• Attackers: Francisco Conceição (back after his semi-final impact), Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo (c)

This setup reunites the Champions League-winning PSG midfield duo (Vitinha & João Neves) and ensures Ronaldo leads the line in what might be his final major international final .

🛡️ Spain (4-3-3)

Luis de la Fuente is set to largely stick with the team that dismantled France, with one tweak:

• Goalkeeper: Unai Simón

• Defense: Pedro Porro, Robin Le Normand (if fit; otherwise Pau Cubarsí), Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella

• Midfield: Pedri, Mikel Zubimendi, Mikel Merino (or Fabian Ruiz)

• Attack: Spain’s young trio—Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams

This front line proved electric in the 5–4 thriller vs France, led by Yamal’s brace.

Tactical Showdown

• Midfield Battle: Portugal’s trio of Neves, Vitinha, and Fernandes will need to be sharp to slow Spain’s fluid trio of Pedri, Zubimendi, and Merino.

• Experienced vs. Youth Attack: Ronaldo and Conceição’s experience faces off with Spain’s full of flair and pace youngsters (Yamal, Williams).

• Defensive Stability: Both sides boast strong backlines, but if Le Normand isn’t fully fit, Spain might lack the Poles to match Portugal’s physical front.

  
  

Players to Watch

• Cristiano Ronaldo – His semi-final winner shows he’s still decisive in clutch moments.

• Lamine Yamal – The young Barcelona star continues to shine at 18, with his pace and output causing headaches for defenses.

  
  

Final Prediction

This match will come down to who controls the midfield and who converts the biggest chances. Portugal’s balanced setup with its veterans might edge Spain’s youthful brilliance—expect a tightly contested match decided by moments of magic.