The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team lineups in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final included some of the names in international football. Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal while Spain’s starting eleven had Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal.
The final happened on 8 June 2025 at Munich Football Arena in Germany. Portugal won the trophy after beating Spain in a penalty shootout 5–3 following a 2–2 draw after time.
Both teams played an exciting match. Spain went ahead twice. Portugal answered with goals from Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo. Below are the starting lineups, formations, substitutions and key events from the final.
Portugal National Football Team vs Spain National Football Team Lineups Overview
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez picked a team that had experienced players and younger talent. Spain coach Luis de la Fuente chose a starting eleven with midfielders and quick forward players.
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | UEFA Nations League 2024/25 |
| Match | Final |
| Date | 8 June 2025 |
| Stadium | Munich Football Arena |
| Location | Munich, Germany |
| Portugal coach | Roberto Martínez |
| Spain coach | Luis de la Fuente |
| Portugal captain | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| Spain captain | Unai Simón |
| Half-time score | Portugal 1–2 Spain |
| Result after time | Portugal 2–2 Spain |
| Penalty shootout result | Portugal won 5–3 |
The final brought together two different attacking styles. Portugal put Ronaldo in the middle of its attack while Spain placed Oyarzabal between Yamal and Williams.
Portugal National Football Team Starting Lineup
Portugal started with Diogo Costa in goal four defenders and a midfield supporting Ronaldo.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Diogo Costa |
| Right-back | João Neves |
| Centre-back | Rúben Dias |
| Centre-back | Gonçalo Inácio |
| Left-back | Nuno Mendes |
| Central midfielder | Bernardo Silva |
| Central midfielder | Vitinha |
| Attacking midfielder | Bruno Fernandes |
| winger | Francisco Conceição |
| Left winger | Pedro Neto |
| Centre-forward | Cristiano Ronaldo |
Portugal’s Defensive Players
Rúben Dias and Gonçalo Inácio were in the middle of the defense. Nuno Mendes was on the left while João Neves was on the right.
Neves’ choice was a part of the lineup because he usually plays in midfield. At time Nélson Semedo took his place.
Mendes offered an attacking option from the side and scored Portugal’s first equalizer. His part in the game became one of the parts of the final.
Portugal’s Midfield and Attack
Vitinha and Bernardo Silva started in the midfield spots with Bruno Fernandes behind the attackers.
Francisco Conceição and Pedro Neto played in the positions. Ronaldo started in the middle as captain and as the forward.
This setup can be described as a 4–2–3–1 with Fernandes behind Ronaldo and two wide players offering support.
Spain National Football Team Starting Lineup
Spain had Unai Simón as goalkeeper and captain. Its midfield had Zubimendi, Pedri and Fabián Ruiz with three players of them.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Unai Simón |
| Right-back | Óscar Mingueza |
| Centre-back | Robin Le Normand |
| Centre-back | Dean Huijsen |
| Left-back | Marc Cucurella |
| Defensive midfielder | Martín Zubimendi |
| Central midfielder | Pedri |
| Central midfielder | Fabián Ruiz |
| Right winger | Lamine Yamal |
| Left winger | Nico Williams |
| Centre-forward | Mikel Oyarzabal |
Spain’s Defensive Setup
Robin Le Normand and Dean Huijsen were in the center of the defense. Óscar Mingueza was on the right while Marc Cucurella was on the left.
Unai Simón was in goal. He also carried the captain’s armband for Spain.
Spain’s Midfield and Forward Line
Zubimendi played in the midfield spot with Pedri and Fabián Ruiz ahead of him.
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams were on the sides. Mikel Oyarzabal was leading the attack while Álvaro Morata was on the bench.
Spain’s setup can be called a 4–3–3. The three midfielders helped the line and gave passing options through the middle.
Portugal vs Spain Formation Comparison
| Team | Starting Formation | Basic Structure |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 4–2–3–1 | Four defenders, two midfielders, three supporting attackers and one striker |
| Spain | 4–3–3 | Four defenders, three midfielders and three forwards |
The formations explain the starting positions although players changed positions during the match.
Portugal’s setup had Fernandes behind Ronaldo. Spain used a group of three midfielders behind its three. The wide areas also created a match between Nuno Mendes and Lamine Yamal.
Portugal Substitutions Against Spain
Portugal made changes at time in the second half and in extra time.
| Minute | Player Coming On | Player Going Off |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | Nélson Semedo | João Neves |
| 46 | Rúben Neves | Francisco Conceição |
| 74 | Renato Veiga | Gonçalo Inácio |
| 74 | Rafael Leão | Bernardo Silva |
| 88 | Gonçalo Ramos | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| 106 | Diogo Jota | Pedro Neto |
Semedo came in at right-back while Rúben Neves joined the midfield. Later changes added attacking options, including Leão and Ramos.
Ronaldo left the field before time meaning Portugal finished the final and the shootout without its starting captain on the pitch.
Spain Substitutions Against Portugal
Spain also changed its midfield and forward players as the match continued.
| Minute | Player Coming On | Player Going Off |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | Isco | Pedri |
| 75 | Mikel Merino | Fabián Ruiz |
| 92 | Pedro Porro | Óscar Mingueza |
| 92 | Álex Baena | Nico Williams |
| 106 | Yeremy Pino | Lamine Yamal |
| 111 | Álvaro Morata | Mikel Oyarzabal |
Isco and Merino replaced two starting midfielders. Pedro Porro and Álex Baena came in early in time followed by Pino and Morata.
Goals and Important Match Moments
Spain scored first through Martín Zubimendi in the minute. Portugal answered five minutes later when Nuno Mendes made it 1–1.
Oyarzabal made it 2–1 for Spain in the minute giving his team a 2–1 lead at half-time.
Ronaldo made it 2–2 in the minute. Neither side scored again during time or extra time.
| Minute | Goalscorer | Score: Portugal–Spain |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Martín Zubimendi | 0–1 |
| 26 | Nuno Mendes | 1–1 |
| 45 | Mikel Oyarzabal | 1–2 |
| 61 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 2–2 |
How Portugal Won the Penalty Shootout
Portugal scored all five of its penalties. Spain scored three. Diogo Costa saved Álvaro Morata’s shot.
Rúben Neves then scored the penalty giving Portugal a 5–3 win in the shootout.
Nuno Mendes was named Player of the Match. The win also made Portugal the first nation to win the UEFA Nations League twice.
Asked Questions
Did Cristiano Ronaldo start against Spain?
Yes. Ronaldo started as Portugal’s captain and center-forward. He scored in the minute before being replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Did Lamine Yamal play in the final?
Yes. Yamal started on Spain’s wing and was replaced by Yeremy Pino in the 106th minute.
Who were the starting goalkeepers?
Diogo Costa started for Portugal while Unai Simón started for Spain.
Who scored for Portugal and Spain?
Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo scored for Portugal. Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Spain.
What was the final result?
The game ended 2–2 after time and Portugal won 5–3 on penalties.
Conclusion
The Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team lineups had experienced leaders, creative midfielders and exciting young attackers.
Spain took the lead twice. Portugal stayed in the game with goals, from Mendes and Ronaldo. Costa’s save and Neves’ kick finished the victory giving Portugal the 2025 UEFA Nations League title.
Leave a Reply