Portugal vs. Spain predicted lineups, team news, score prediction: Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal clash for UEFA Nations League glory

Spain and Portugal are each attempting to become the first two-time UEFA Nations League champions when they meet in Sunday’s final in Munich.

Portugal won the inaugural event on home soil back in 2019 and are back in the showpiece match after coming from behind to beat Germany 2-1 in the semifinals. Cristiano Ronaldo’s 137th international goal proved decisive.

Reigning European champions Spain are the Nations League holders following their 2023 final victory over Croatia on penalties. This is La Roja’s third appearance in the final after they were beaten 2-1 by France in 2021.

They avenged that defeat with a remarkable 5-4 semifinal triumph this month, Lamine Yamal netting a second-half brace before Les Bleus launched a stunning comeback attempt from 5-1 down.

The Sporting News has all the latest team news, expected lineups and a match prediction.

MORE: Lamine Yamal opens up on his Ballon d’Or competitor Ousmane Dembele after reaching UEFA Nations League final

Portugal vs. Spain predicted lineups, team news

As impressive as Portugal’s comeback against Germany was, their upturn was also indicative of mistakes made by Roberto Martinez in his initial selection.

The experiment of fielding Joao Neves at right-back should be shelved after he made way for Nelson Semedo. Another Paris Saint-Germain star, Vitinha, replaced Ruben Neves at the base of the midfield and Francisco Conceicao came on for Trincao in attack.

That triple change arrived in the 58th minute with Portugal 1-0 down; by the 68th minute, they led 2-1.

Portugal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Costa (GK) — Semedo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes  — Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Fernandes — Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto

Portugal full roster

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva

Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes, Nelson Semedo, Antonio Silva, Nuno Tavares, Renato Veiga

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Goncalves, Joao Neves, Ruben Neves, Joao Palhinha, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha

Forwards: Francisco Conceicao, Joao Felix, Diogo Jota, Rafael Leao, Rodrigo Mora, Pedro Neto, Goncalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Francisco Trincao.

Mikel Oyarzabal is likely to continue as Spain’s central attacker. The Real Sociedad captain was preferred to Alvaro Morata and laid on a pair of assists before halftime against France.

Fabian Ruiz only featured from the bench in midweek but is likely to return to the starting XI, back at the stadium where he won the Champions League with PSG eight days ago. Despite scoring against France, Arsenal’s Mikel Merino looks the most obvious candidate to make way.

Martin Zubimendi will continue at the base of the midfield. Rodri has not been risked for this international break after only recently returning from nine months on the sidelines with an ACL injury.

Spain predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Simon (GK) — Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella — Pedri, Zubimendi, Ruiz — Lamine Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams

Spain full roster

Goalkeepers: David Raya, Alex Remiro, Unai Simon

Defenders: Marc Cucurella, Pau Cubarsi, Alex Grimaldo, Dean Huijsen, Oscar Mingueza, Robin Le Normand, Pedro Porro, Dani Vivian

Midfielders: Alex Baena, Gavi, Isco, Fermin Lopez, Mikel Merino, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, Martin Zubimendi

Forwards: Samu Aghehowa, Alvaro Morata, Yeremy Pino, Mikel Oyarzabal, Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal.

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Portugal vs. Spain score prediction

Despite Spain’s defensive frailties during the closing stages of that remarkable match with France, Luis de la Fuente’s European champions are too well-grooved and too strong for their Iberian rivals at this point in time.

Predicted score: Portugal 1-3 Spain

How to watch Portugal vs. Spain: Live stream, TV channel

Here’s how to watch this match across selected areas of the world’s major regions: