Monumental title clash at the Allianz Arena.
Image Credits: @SEFutbol Twitter
Two of Europe’s most cherished footballing giants will lock horns on Saturday, when Luis de la Fuente’s Spain take on Portugal with Roberto Martinez at the helm. Munich will play host to this huge UEFA Nations League final, as La Roja look to add another trophy to the cabinet against their Iberian neighbours. But who holds the edge historically in this long-standing rivalry?
With several young superstars like Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Nico Williams transforming the setup, Spain start as the favourites to defend their crown over the weekend. Meanwhile, Portugal are also former champions of the tournament. Veteran Cristiano Ronaldo will lead the line yet again, after scoring the winner in an upset semifinal victory over Germany. Having freshly signed with Real Madrid, star Spanish defender Dean Huijsen has stated that he is keen on coming up against the Portuguese forward on Saturday.
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Portugal is currently on a two-match winning streak – after losing the first leg of the Nations League quarterfinal against Denmark, a late winner by Francisco Trincao sent the tie into extra-time – where the Lusos pulled through. On the other hand, Spain remains on a 19-match unbeaten run including friendlies since last year. While Roberto Martinez is under pressure to win over the Portuguese fans ahead of the World Cup, de la Fuente will have other ideas.
Spain vs Portugal Head to Head Record
As per official records, Spain and Portugal have faced off in the Iberian Derby on 40 separate occasions. So far, the head-to-head record between the teams stands at:
- Total Matches: 40
- Spain Wins: 17
- Draw: 17
- Portugal Wins: 6
Spain vs Portugal Past Five Matches Record
In their last five encounters, the record between La Roja and Selecao Das Quinas is:
- Spain Wins: 1
- Draw: 4
- Portugal Wins: 0
The most match-up between the two teams was in 2022, during the UEFA Nations League group stage. Espana’s maestros emerged victorious on the night, courtesy a winner by Alvaro Morata. Prior to this, there were a plethora of draws, including an iconic 3-3 tussle at the 2018 FIFA World Cup where Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa recorded doubles.
Spain vs Portugal Recent Head to Head Scores
Spain vs Portugal UEFA Nations League Final Betting Odds
The odds are skewed in favour of La Roja, according to the money line. However, things can change quickly and the margins are fine. Here are the initial betting guides:
Spain Win: 10/11 (Paddy Power)
Spain Win With 2.5+ Goals: 13/8 (Paddy Power)
Lamine Yamal Goal: 2/1 (BetVictor)
Portugal Win: 21/10 (Paddy Power)