Spain lineup vs Portugal: Predicted XI for UEFA Nations League final

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente could stick with the majority of the XI that beat France in midweek when they face Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday night.

Playing with Mikel Oyarzabal as a false nine, flanked by Lamine Yamal and Nico William was a masterstroke by the Spain boss, as La Roja blew France away with four goals within an hour, adding a fifth shortly after.

Yamal put on a world-class display yet again, scoring twice in the 5-4 win, and everything is set to go through the Barcelona teenager yet again, in what could result in his fourth trophy of the season.

The use of a false nine meant there was no place for Alvaro Morata in the starting XI, as the skipper had to watch on from the sidelines, and he is set to do so again in Munich.

Spain are missing players all over the pitch, with Rodri not risked in this international window after a lengthy knee injury, while Ferran Torres and Ayoze Perez are missing in attack.

Inigo Martinez, Dani Carvajal and Raul Asencio are unavailable in defence, and Spain looked vulnerable at the back in the second half against France, with Pedro Porro and Dean Huijsen both struggling on occasion as France launched an audacious late fightback, which also saw Dani Vivian put through his own net.

Conceding four goals is not how Unai Simon would have wanted to celebrate his 50th cap, but the Athletic Bilbao keeper should be between the sticks again for the final.

After winning the Champions League at the Allianz Arena a week ago, Paris Saint-Germain’s Fabian Ruiz should come into the starting XI on his return to Munich, in what might be the only change from Thursday’s win, where he may come up against as many as four of his club team mates, including Joao Neves and Vitinha in the engine room.

Spain possible starting lineup:

Simon; Porro, Le Normand, Huijsen, Cucurella; Merino, Fabian, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Williams

Click here to see how Portugal could line up for the final.

Written by
Andrew Delaney