UEFA Nations League Final: Portugal vs. Spain

The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League season culminates in a highly anticipated final between Portugal and Spain.
The grand finale is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2025, with kick-off at 21:00 CET.
This prestigious match will take place at the Munich Football Arena in Munich, Germany.
The venue has a rich history, having previously hosted the 2012 and 2024 UEFA Champions League finals, and being the first stadium to host games in consecutive UEFA European Championships (EURO 2020 and EURO 2024). Switzerland’s Sandro Schärer, 36, will be the referee for the final.

The Nations League was originally devised to minimize less meaningful friendly matches by offering nations competitive encounters against equally ranked teams, featuring a league structure with promotion and relegation. The 2024/25 edition introduced a new knockout round in March 2025, creating continuity between the group phase and the finals. Group winners and runners-up in League A participated in home-and-away quarter-finals, with the winners progressing to the finals.

UEFA Nations League Road to the Final

Both Portugal and Spain, along with Germany and France, secured their spots in the Nations League finals by winning their quarter-final ties in March 2025. All three previous winners of the competition – Portugal (2019), France (2021), and Spain (2023) – were among the finalists, with hosts Germany making their first final appearance. UEFA Nations League- 2024/25

Portugal’s Journey
Portugal, the inaugural Nations League champions in 2019, reached the final by defeating hosts Germany 2-1 in their semi-final match on June 4 in Munich. This marked their first victory against Germany since EURO 2000. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning goal in the semi-final. Their path included winning their opening three league phase matches and wrapping up qualification with a five-goal second-half performance against Poland on Matchday 5. They overcame Denmark 5-3 on aggregate after extra time in the quarter-finals, with Ronaldo scoring in the second leg, becoming the only player over 40 to score in the Nations League.

Coach: Roberto Martínez, who previously led Portugal to a perfect qualifying campaign for UEFA EURO 2024, has introduced new tactical ideas to maximize the talent in his squad.
How they Play: Martínez has added tactical versatility, allowing the team to play with three or four at the back and vary their build-up options. They generally favor a 4-3-3 formation, with the game plan often depending on the composition of the front three, balancing width from players like Rafael Leão or Pedro Neto with a more fluid approach featuring Diogo Jota or Gonçalo Ramos.
Key Player: Bruno Fernandes is vital to Portugal, providing drive and being key in transitions from his roving midfield role, developing a close partnership with Bernardo Silva.
One to Watch: Vitinha, a midfield maestro, is considered the keystone of this Portugal team, influencing the tempo and dictating the game with his passing and control.
Form Guide (most recent first): WWLDWD.
Coach’s View: Roberto Martínez acknowledges Spain as “probably one of the best teams in the world” due to their DNA of ball control and defending with the ball, now combined with added pace and verticality from players like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal, making them a “very complete team”.
Captain’s View: Cristiano Ronaldo expressed confidence after their win against Germany, stating they are “at peace” and believe things will work out, despite recognizing Spain as “very confident” and unbeaten in 24 competitive games.
Reporter’s View: Carlos Machado notes that Portugal enters the final with confidence, having shown they can take the game to the reigning champions and respond to setbacks.

Spain’s Journey
Spain, the reigning Nations League holders from 2023 and EURO 2024 winners, secured their place in the final by winning a thrilling 5-4 semi-final against France on June 5 in Stuttgart. Their league phase saw them amass 16 points, the most of any team, with a strong defensive record of only four goals conceded. In the quarter-finals, they overcame the Netherlands on penalties after a 5-5 aggregate score, despite appearing porous at times.

Coach: Luis de la Fuente, a likeable Basque, has a strong winning record in international football, having led U19 and U21 national teams to EURO success before guiding the senior side to Nations League glory in 2023 and EURO 2024 triumph.
How they Play: Spain’s style is a blend of the modern Spanish school – emphasizing possession and quick pressing upon losing the ball – with De la Fuente’s directness and intense attacking. They prefer a high tempo, utilizing technically brilliant footballers with quick decision-making skills to disrupt opponents’ rhythm.
Key Player: Lamine Yamal, despite being only 17, is arguably the most decisive, exciting, and dangerous footballer globally, and Spain feeds him the ball accordingly, as evidenced by his performance against France.
One to Watch: Isco’s remarkable return to the national team after a six-year absence is notable. He has been playing brilliantly for Real Betis, leading De la Fuente to select him for this tournament.
Did You Know: Spain boasts an impressive record of being unbeaten in their last ten Nations League matches played outside of Spain (W6 D4).
Form Guide (most recent first): WDDWWW.
Coach’s View: Luis de la Fuente highlighted the high quality of teams in the finals, describing Portugal as a “powerful national team” with “so much talent, so versatile, fast,” and noting certain similarities in players and ideas between the two sides.
Forward’s View: Mikel Oyarzabal emphasizes the importance of mental tranquility and enjoying the support of family and friends, being ready if chosen to play.
Reporter’s View: Graham Hunter describes the Nations League as Spain’s “favourite competition,” noting their ability to score for fun and their powerful bench, despite conceding too many goals, emphasizing their “Ganar y ganar y ganar!” (Just win, win then win again!) spirit.

Tournament and Match Context

Both Portugal and Spain are bidding to become the first team to win the UEFA Nations League title twice. Spain is the current holder, having won the 2023 edition, and also the EURO 2024 winners. While Spain demonstrated incredible attacking power by roaring to a 4-0 lead against France, some vulnerability was exposed as France fought back. Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente indicated that “There’s not a lot I have to change for Sunday,” suggesting consistency in his team’s approach and likely starting XI. Portugal’s coach Roberto Martínez is expected to stick with his usual core, with Vitinha likely reclaiming his starting spot.

The Nations League also impacts qualification for the FIFA World Cup. The 12 group runners-up from the European Qualifiers, along with the four best-ranked group winners from the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League who didn’t finish first or second in their European Qualifiers group, will participate in World Cup play-offs. These 16 teams will be drawn into four play-off paths, with single-leg semi-finals and finals played in March 2026.

Where to Watch the Final

The UEFA Nations League final is broadcast globally by various partners. Fans can find their local UEFA Nations League broadcast partner(s) through official channels.

Examples of Broadcasters include:

🌍 Europe

🇦🇱 Albania: Digitalb SH.A.
🇦🇹 Austria: DAZN, ORF ON
🇧🇪 Belgium: DAZN, vtmgo.be
🇧🇬 Bulgaria: BNT
🇨🇿 Czechia: CT Sport
🇩🇰 Denmark: TV2 PLAY
🇫🇷 France: lequipe.fr
🇩🇪 Germany: DAZN, ARD
🇱🇺 Luxembourg: DAZN
🇨🇭 Switzerland: DAZN
🇮🇹 Italy: RAI PLAY
🇳🇱 Netherlands: NOS
🇵🇱 Poland: Polsat Box Go
🇵🇹 Portugal: RTP Portugal
🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland: Virgin Media Ireland
🇪🇸 Spain: RTVE PLAY
🏴 England: ITV
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Prime Video UK

🌐 Outside Europe

📺 beIN Sports

🇩🇿 Algeria
🇧🇭 Bahrain
🇹🇩 Chad
🇪🇬 Egypt
🇮🇷 Iran
🇮🇶 Iraq
🇯🇴 Jordan
🇰🇼 Kuwait
🇱🇧 Lebanon
🇱🇾 Libya
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇴🇲 Oman
🇵🇸 Palestine
🇶🇦 Qatar
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
🇸🇴 Somalia
🇸🇸 South Sudan
🇸🇩 Sudan
🇸🇾 Syria
🇹🇳 Tunisia
🇦🇪 UAE
🇾🇪 Yemen

📺 FOX Sports

🇦🇸 American Samoa
🇦🇺 Australia
🇬🇺 Guam
🇲🇵 Northern Mariana Islands
🇺🇲 Midway (US territory)
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
🇻🇮 US Virgin Islands
🇺🇸 USA

📺 Optus Sport

🇦🇺 Australia

📺 Disney+

🇦🇷 Argentina
🇧🇿 Belize
🇧🇴 Bolivia
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇨🇱 Chile
🇨🇴 Colombia
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic
🇪🇨 Ecuador
🇸🇻 El Salvador
🇬🇫 French Guyana
🇬🇹 Guatemala
🇭🇳 Honduras
🇲🇽 Mexico
🇳🇮 Nicaragua
🇵🇦 Panama
🇵🇾 Paraguay
🇵🇪 Peru
🇸🇷 Suriname
🇺🇾 Uruguay
🇻🇪 Venezuela

📺 DAZN Canada OTT

🇨🇦 Canada

📺 iQIYI Sports

🇨🇳 China
🇲🇴 Macau

📺 DStv Stream

🇦🇴 Angola
🇧🇼 Botswana
🇨🇻 Cape Verde
🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea
🇪🇷 Eritrea
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
🇬🇲 Gambia
🇬🇭 Ghana
🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau
🇰🇪 Kenya
🇱🇸 Lesotho
🇱🇷 Liberia
🇲🇼 Malawi
🇲🇿 Mozambique
🇳🇦 Namibia
🇳🇪 Niger
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇷🇼 Rwanda
🇸🇳 Senegal
🇸🇨 Seychelles
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇸🇿 Swaziland (Eswatini)
🇹🇿 Tanzania
🇹🇬 Togo
🇺🇬 Uganda
🇿🇲 Zambia
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

This highly anticipated final promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, with two of Europe’s top footballing nations vying for the prestigious trophy.
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