Portugal vs Spain lineups from the UEFA Nations League 2025 Final (June 8, 2025), which Portugal won 2-2 (5-3 on penalties)
Match Overview & Result
Portugal 2–2 Spain (a.e.t.)
Portugal won 5–3 on penalties
UEFA Nations League 2024/25 Final
Date: 8 June 2025
Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Attendance: 65,852
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland)
Final Score & Outcome
- Regular time: 2–2
- After extra time: 2–2
- Penalties: Portugal 5–3 Spain
Portugal claimed their second UEFA Nations League title (first in 2019), becoming the first team to win the competition twice. Spain, the defending champions, were dethroned in a dramatic Iberian derby.
Goal Scorers
Portugal:
- Nuno Mendes 26′ (assisted by Pedro Neto) – powerful strike to equalize.
- Cristiano Ronaldo 61′ – clinical volley (his 138th international goal).
Spain:
- Martín Zubimendi 21′ – tapped in the opener.
- Mikel Oyarzabal 45′ – finished a move involving Pedri just before halftime
Confirmed Starting Lineups & Formations
Match: Portugal 2–2 Spain (a.e.t., Portugal won 5–3 on penalties)
Competition: UEFA Nations League 2024/25 Final
Date: 8 June 2025
Portugal Starting XI (4-3-3)
| Position | Player | Key Notes / Rating (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Diogo Costa | Penalty hero |
| RB | João Neves | Played out of position (~4.8–6.0) |
| CB | Rúben Dias | Solid (~7.3) |
| CB | Gonçalo Inácio | (~6.0) |
| LB | Nuno Mendes | Scored, standout (~8.1–9/10) |
| CM | Bernardo Silva | (~6.7) |
| CM | Vitinha | Strong midfield control (~7.5) |
| CM | Bruno Fernandes | (~6.6) |
| RW | Francisco Conceição | Subbed at HT (~6.2) |
| ST | Cristiano Ronaldo (c) | Scored (~7.4–8/10) |
| LW | Pedro Neto | Assist for Mendes (~7.3) |
Coach: Roberto Martínez
Spain Starting XI (4-3-3)
| Position | Player | Key Notes / Rating (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Unai Simón | (~5.6–6/10) |
| RB | Óscar Mingueza | (~5–6) |
| CB | Robin Le Normand | (~6) |
| CB | Dean Huijsen | (~6) |
| LB | Marc Cucurella | Strong (~7–7.2) |
| CM | Martín Zubimendi | Scored, excellent (~7.5–8.5) |
| CM | Fabián Ruiz | Booked early (~7) |
| CM | Pedri | Controlled play (~8+) |
| RW | Lamine Yamal | (~7) |
| ST | Mikel Oyarzabal | Scored (~7.2–7.4) |
| LW | Nico Williams | (~7) |
Coach: Luis de la Fuente
Predicted Lineups vs Actual – What Changed?
Match: Portugal 2–2 Spain (a.e.t., Portugal won 5–3 on penalties)
UEFA Nations League 2024/25
Final – 8 June 2025
Portugal: Predicted vs Actual
Most common pre-match prediction (4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3): Costa; Semedo, Dias, Inácio, Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves (or Rúben Neves); Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo (with Conceição or Leão in attack).
Actual Starting XI (4-3-3): Costa; João Neves, Dias, Inácio, Mendes; Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Francisco Conceição, Ronaldo, Pedro Neto.
Spain: Predicted vs Actual
Most common pre-match prediction (4-3-3): Simón; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen (or Cubarsí), Cucurella; Pedri, Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.
Actual Starting XI (4-3-3): Simón; Óscar Mingueza, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Nico Williams.
Key Player Battles & Tactical Breakdown
Match: Portugal 2–2 Spain (a.e.t., Portugal won 5–3 on penalties)
UEFA Nations League 2024/25
Final – 8 June 2025
Midfield Control (Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes vs. Pedri, Zubimendi)
The midfield battle was one of the most intriguing aspects of the game. Spain aimed for possession dominance (60% overall), with Pedri pulling strings as the creative hub and Martín Zubimendi providing defensive steel and forward runs (scoring the opener)
Attack: Ronaldo & Neto vs. Yamal & Williams
This was a classic experience vs. youthful explosiveness clash.
- Portugal’s right/left attack: Cristiano Ronaldo (goal + leadership) combined with Pedro Neto’s directness and crossing (key assist for Nuno Mendes’ equalizer). Francisco Conceição started brightly but was substituted. Portugal relied on quick transitions and Ronaldo’s movement to stretch Spain’s defense.
- Spain’s wings: Lamine Yamal created danger with dribbling and vision (involved in the first goal), while Nico Williams offered pace on the opposite flank. Mikel Oyarzabal dropped deep to link play, creating overloads.
How They Reached the Final (Path & Form)
Match: Portugal 2–2 Spain (a.e.t., Portugal won 5–3 on penalties)
UEFA Nations League 2024/25
Final – 8 June 2025
Portugal’s Path to the Final
League Phase : Portugal topped their group with 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses; 13 goals scored, 5 conceded). They showed strong consistency, winning their opening three matches and sealing qualification with a dominant 5-1 win over Poland on Matchday 5. Key results included victories over Croatia and Scotland.
Quarter-Finals (vs Denmark):
- 1st leg (A): 0–1 loss
- 2nd leg (H): 5–2 win (a.e.t.)
- Aggregate: 5–3. Portugal mounted a comeback with a strong extra-time performance.
Semi-Final (vs Germany, 4 June 2025): Germany 1–2 Portugal (Allianz Arena / neutral venue). Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner — his first victory over Germany in senior career. A resilient display against the hosts.
Form leading into final: Unbeaten in the league phase, excellent defensive organization with lethal counter-attacking ability. Ronaldo’s leadership and experience were pivotal in knockout stages.
Spain’s Path to the Final
League Phase : Spain dominated as group winners with 16 points (5 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses; 13 goals scored, 4 conceded). They were highly efficient, showcasing fluid attacking play led by their young stars.
Quarter-Finals (vs Netherlands):
- 1st leg (A): 2–2 draw
- 2nd leg (H): 3–3 (a.e.t.) Aggregate: 5–5 (Spain won 5–4 on penalties). A thrilling, high-scoring tie decided dramatically from the spot.
Semi-Final (vs France, 5 June 2025): Spain 5–4 France. An entertaining, goal-filled match with Spain taking an early lead and responding strongly to France’s comeback. Goals from Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, Lamine Yamal (penalty), and Pedri highlighted their attacking depth.
What This Means for 2026 World Cup & Future
Match: Portugal 2–2 Spain (a.e.t., Portugal won 5–3 on penalties)
UEFA Nations League 2024/25
Final – 8 June 2025
Qualification Status for 2026 World Cup
Both nations secured direct qualification for the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and USA) through the UEFA European Qualifiers:
- Portugal: Finished top of Group F with 13 points (including a dominant 9-1 win over Armenia on the final matchday). This marks their ninth World Cup appearance.
- Spain: Topped Group E and qualified comfortably as one of Europe’s strongest sides.
FAQs
Q1: Who won the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final between Portugal and Spain?
Portugal won 2–2 (5–3 on penalties) after extra time. It was their second Nations League title.
Q2: Who scored the goals in the final?
Portugal: Nuno Mendes (26′) and Cristiano Ronaldo (61′). Spain: Martín Zubimendi (21′) and Mikel Oyarzabal (45′).
Q3: What were the starting formations?
Both teams used a 4-3-3. Portugal featured João Neves at right-back and Francisco Conceição on the right wing. Spain started Óscar Mingueza at right-back.
Q4: How did both teams reach the final?
Portugal beat Denmark in the quarter-finals and Germany in the semi-final. Spain overcame Netherlands (on penalties) and France (5–4) in the knockouts. Both topped their league phase groups convincingly.
Q5: What does this result mean for the 2026 World Cup?
It gave Portugal huge confidence and momentum heading into the tournament, while Spain gained valuable experience despite the loss. Both are qualified and remain among the top contenders for 2026.
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