As Spain Face Portugal
After inspiring Spain to a thrilling 5-4 win over France in the semifinal on Thursday night, star of the moment, Lamine Yamal, said Sunday’s Nations League final against Portugal would give him the chance to “prove who I am.”
Yamal scored twice and was named man of the match in a 5-4 win over the French in Stuttgart, sealing progress to this weekend’s Nations League final against their Iberian rivals. A late French flourish obscured Spain’s dominance, with La Roja cruising at 5-1 before dropping their intensity, allowing France to rally and score three late goals.
As they did on their way to winning Euro 2024 in Germany last season, Spain’s success was built on the threat of wingers Yamal and Nico Williams.
Williams, who got a goal of his own and set up another, was man of the match in the 2-1 Euro 2024 final win over England.
Thursday’s victory puts the 2021 Nations League winners up against Portugal, who won the competition in 2019.
“It’s a special game, a final against a great team gives us extra motivation,” Yamal said in Stuttgart. “This is the kind of game I want to play, to prove who I am.”
Still just 17, Yamal will face off against Portugal veteran Cristiano Ronaldo, who is 23 years his senior. Ronaldo scored the clinching goal as Portugal beat Germany in the other semi-final.
“He’s a football legend,” Yamal said. “I, like all the players, have huge respect for Cristiano. “I will do my job, which is to try to win, and that’s it,” he added.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said fans would see “two super powerful teams” on Sunday, adding “this could be a World Cup final.”
De la Fuente said: “We’re playing against one of the greats: Cristiano Ronaldo. Just his name stands out. I have limitless admiration for him.
“It’s really great to see a player at his age to keep playing and be as fit as he is. I admire him very much.”
Mikel Merino, another Spanish goalscorer on Thursday, was confident of more glory. “It’s not our first final,” he said. “Munich brings us amazing memories from the European Championship.
“I’m very happy to be in another final is a huge accomplishment and hopefully we can win it again.”
Spain are looking for a third Uefa tournament success in a row having won the last Nations League and Euro 2024.
And they are favourites for the World Cup coming up next summer, with France second on the list.
Spain showed why they will be tough to stop after one of the most exciting international games in memory. A total of 40 shots, 17 on target, nine goals. Spain led 4-0 and 5-1 on Thursday night – and threatened to blow France away – before their rivals rallied.
“It was a crazy game,” said Spain goalscorer, Mikel Merino. “Not the best game for the coaches – nobody wants to concede so many goals – but an amazing game for the fans.”
His boss Luis de la Fuente seemed to actually disagree with him.
“I’m happy. I enjoy suffering! I don’t understand sport without suffering,” he said.
“When two great teams face off like today, it’s normal every team makes the most of their moments.”
Lamine Yamal turns 18 later this summer, and is being tipped a Ballon d’Or contender. He is up to six goals for his country now, to add to 25 for club side Barcelona. Yamal seems to improve with every game – which is actually to be expected at the age of 17. Their oldest player was 28, and the team had an average age of 24.
Although at opposing ends of their careers, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal were vital in leading their sides to Sunday’s showdown in Munich.
Head-to-head, this will be a first meeting for Yamal and Ronaldo, but Spain and Portugal on-field rivalry dates back to a friendly in 1921.
Spain won the fixture 2-1 in December of that year and have claimed victory in 17 of the 34 encounters overall.
Portugal have only recorded six wins against their neighbours, with the last being in a friendly in 2010. Six of the following seven matches have ended in a draw.
Potential Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Neves, Ruben Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva; Trincao, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo.
Potential Spain XI: Simon; Porro, Huijsen, Le Normand, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Merino, Pedri; Yamal, N Williams, Oyarzabal.
