Spain and Portugal, the European giants who are firmly in control

The Nations League has evolved into a coveted title for European soccer. With Spain aiming to defend their championship against a formidable Portugal led by Cristiano Ronaldo, punters could consider betting on a tightly contested match that could swing either way. Historically, these teams have produced thrilling encounters, suggesting a close scoreline or possible overtime could be anticipated.

The Nations League has already come of age. That invention, by Alexander Ceferin in 2018, has been transformed into a title that everyone covets and that only the chosen few can achieve. Interestingly, teams that can already boast of having the coveted championship in their history.

Luis de la Fuente's team is the current champion, while Bob Martinez's team won the title in 2019, in what was the first edition of the tournament and, curiously, the only final in which the current European champion, none other than Spain, has not been present. France complete the list of winners of this title.

A title that is gaining weight from the dull friendlies of times that already seem to be in the past to interesting, evenly-matched matches on the pitch, with a title at stake, and with the ambition of the more modest teams to climb up the ranks and The truth is that the have become the reference point of European soccer, due to their and because of the stylish soccer they play.

The list of players is wide and varied, with all kinds of registers. and two who represent a generational change in soccer such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal. One is a soccer dominator and the other is a clear aspirant to be able to do so, but no, they are rivals in the fight for a new title for their countries, for Spain and Portugal, teams that scare the rest of the European and world teams.

Since that starting point that marked the beginning of a new era for Spanish soccer, it began with the conquest of the European Championship, followed by the World Cup and another European Championship. To return to the good path, already in 2021, with the defeat against France in the final of the Nations League, something was left behind in 2023, followed a year later with the triumph in the European Championship and that on the night of Sunday, June 8, 2025, can be ratified with the conquest of another title now against Portugal.

Data against logic The Cristiano Ronaldo-led team began in 2016, with the conquest of the European Championship. Three years later, they won the first edition of the Nations League, interspersed with third place at Euro 2012. Along the way, Portugal were eliminated by and the 2023 Nations League. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the duel ended in a three-all draw.

De la Fuente is on the verge of making history, as a triumph on Sunday would also mean winning three consecutive titles in two calendar years, something that no one has achieved. Argentina has managed to win three titles in three calendar years. It first won the Copa America in 2021, then won the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, and finally reigned again in the Copa America in 2024.

European champions Beyond absences from the squad list of both coaches, both will be able to count on all those called up for the occasion after the battles in the semi-finals against Germany and France. On the contrary, as Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian, for example, are expected to start. The final in Munich also serves to vindicate the potential of Spanish coaches; Spain is sure to win either way.

These are two teams that are used to living with success, especially Luis de la Fuente's Spain, who are looking to make history. They are frightening all of Europe Leer

Marca Claro