Spain vs Portugal live: Latest score and updates as Iberian rivals vie for Nations League glory – UK Times

Out the players come, both in their anthem jackets, a simply stupid number of flags fluttering elsewhere on the pitch with each constituent member of the Nations League represented somewhere. Even as a vexillophile, it’s a bit much.

Jesus Navas and Pepe bring the trophy out, a player from each nation placing it on the plinth. Eyes on the prize.

Portugal won this competition in 2019 and became the first-ever Nations League victors.

They now have the opportunity to lead the way again as they bid to become the first two-time winners of the competition.

However, Spain are in the exact same position as current Nations League champions. Winning the competition twice in a row would be another reason to believe they are Europe’s best footballing nation.

Luis de la Fuente spoke about his love and respect for the Nations League, competition that gets overlooked more often than not.

“We know how tough this competition was from the beginning, supported by data,” he said,

“You don’t always come up against such good teams. Four of the best five teams in Europe are here.

“This is a super-tough competition, very demanding, a lot of prestige and it will be valued increasingly as time goes by.”

The Portugal coach explained: “I think in general when you used to play against Spain, you had to control the way they keep the ball, the way they control the games with the ball possession, the way they can drag you out of position.

“They do that, because it’s in their DNA. It’s how the players are developed in the early years.

“But now, they added pace and verticality with Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.

“So you’re talking about probably one of the best teams in the world in terms of using that speed and using that transition, with the normal aspect of a team that know how to play, how to keep the ball, how to defend with the ball, and that makes them a very complete team.”

Portugal coach, Roberto Martínez said he always believed his team could beat Germany in Germany.

“We believed that we could do it, but obviously until you do it, there’s a massive gap, there’s a big difference,” he said when reviewing the semi-final.

“In football, you need moments like that. It [had been] 25 years since the last time that Portugal beat Germany, you’re playing away from home, you’re playing against a team that have got a very good record at home but it’s not just about what Germany can do.

“And then an even bigger setback is conceding a goal. The reaction was strong, very resilient, and probably all those values that we’re going to need in the final if we want to beat Spain.”

It’s been 21 years since Portugal beat Spain in a competitive fixture but Cristiano Ronaldo believes that fact has no bearing on tonight’s match.

“Each game is separate,” he said.

“We hadn’t beaten Germany in many years but pages turn. We know it’s going to be very tough but that is the nature of finals.

“Spain are very confident, have not lost in 24 [competitive] games but we have our own weapons. We believe it’s going to work out for us.”

Cristiano Ronaldo says his team are confident about winning the Nations League when they come toe-to-toe with Spain later tonight.

The Portugal captain revealed: “We’re all feeling upbeat, confident, playing an amazing team, maybe the best in the world, but we’re confident after what we did in our last tie.

“I hope we can rise to the occasion and win it because this is the nature of final.

“We are at peace and we believe things will work out for us.”

Portugal midfielder, João Neves, spoke in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game.

He said: “It’s going to be a good final, which will be a pleasure to watch.

“We’re expecting a very strong Spain side, as well as Portugal, who also have their strengths and want to take advantage of their opponents’ weaknesses.”