Portugal National Football Team vs Spain National Football Team Lineups
The most recent high-profile meeting between Portugal and Spain came in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final on 8 June 2025 at the Allianz Arena in Munich
The most recent high-profile meeting between Portugal and Spain came in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final on 8 June 2025 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Portugal defeated Spain 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw following extra time, becoming the first nation to win the UEFA Nations League twice.
Key Statistics
Category
Portugal
Spain
FIFA Confederation
UEFA
UEFA
UEFA Nations League Titles
2 (2019, 2025)
1 (2023)
UEFA European Championship Titles
1 (2016)
4 (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024)
FIFA World Cup Titles
0
1 (2010)
Most Recent Meeting
Won 5–3 on penalties (2–2 AET)
Lost on penalties
Total Meetings*
41
41
Wins*
7
17
Draws*
17
17
Goals in 2025 Final
2
2
Attendance (2025 Final)
65,852
65,852
*Head-to-head figures based on available records before and around the 2025 Nations League Final.
2025 UEFA Nations League Final Lineups
Portugal Starting XI
Position
Player
GK
Diogo Costa
RB
João Neves
CB
Rúben Dias
CB
Gonçalo Inácio
LB
Nuno Mendes
CM
Bernardo Silva
CM
Vitinha
RW
Francisco Conceição
AM
Bruno Fernandes
LW
Pedro Neto
ST
Cristiano Ronaldo
Spain Starting XI
Position
Player
GK
Unai Simón
RB
Óscar Mingueza
CB
Robin Le Normand
CB
Dean Huijsen
LB
Marc Cucurella
CM
Pedri
CM
Martín Zubimendi
CM
Fabián Ruiz
RW
Lamine Yamal
ST
Mikel Oyarzabal
LW
Nico Williams
Career Overview
Portugal and Spain have one of international football’s oldest rivalries. Their first official international meeting took place in 1921, and they have met more than forty times across friendlies, European Championship competitions, World Cup matches, and UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Spain historically hold the advantage in the rivalry, but Portugal have enjoyed notable successes during the modern era. Portugal’s emergence as a European power coincided with the careers of players such as Luís Figo, Deco, Pepe, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Spain’s golden generation featuring Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Ramos, and Iker Casillas dominated world football from 2008 to 2012.
The 2025 UEFA Nations League Final represented a symbolic transition between generations. Portugal relied on veterans Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Bruno Fernandes alongside younger stars Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Diogo Costa. Spain featured emerging talents Lamine Yamal and Dean Huijsen alongside established players Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, and Unai Simón.
Career Statistics
Because the keyword focuses on national team lineups rather than an individual player, the most relevant career statistics are the all-time records of the two national teams.
Statistic
Portugal
Spain
First International Match
1921
1920
World Cup Titles
0
1
European Championship Titles
1
4
UEFA Nations League Titles
2
1
Best World Cup Finish
Third Place (1966)
Champions (2010)
Best European Championship Finish
Champions (2016)
Champions (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024)
Nations League Final Appearances
2
3
Nations League Titles
2
1
Season-by-Season Stats
Portugal Recent Major Tournament Results
Season/Tournament
Result
UEFA Nations League 2019
Champions
UEFA Euro 2020
Round of 16
FIFA World Cup 2022
Quarterfinals
UEFA Euro 2024
Quarterfinals
UEFA Nations League 2025
Champions
Spain Recent Major Tournament Results
Season/Tournament
Result
UEFA Nations League 2021
Runner-up
FIFA World Cup 2022
Round of 16
UEFA Nations League 2023
Champions
UEFA Euro 2024
Champions
UEFA Nations League 2025
Runner-up
Records
Portugal
Record
Achievement
First UEFA Nations League Winner
2019
First Nation with Two Nations League Titles
2025
Largest Victory
9–0 vs Luxembourg
Most Famous Goalscorer
Cristiano Ronaldo
Best World Cup Finish
Third Place (1966)
Spain
Record
Achievement
FIFA World Cup Champion
2010
UEFA Euro Titles
Four
Consecutive Major Tournament Wins
Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012
Nations League Champion
2023
Most Successful Era
2008–2012
Awards and Honors
Portugal National Team
Competition
Titles
UEFA European Championship
1
UEFA Nations League
2
Spain National Team
Competition
Titles
FIFA World Cup
1
UEFA European Championship
4
UEFA Nations League
1
Performance Trends
Portugal
Trend
Analysis
Defensive Improvement
Strong performances from Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, and Nuno Mendes
Nations League Success
Titles in 2019 and 2025
Generational Transition
Younger core built around Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, and Diogo Costa
Continued Ronaldo Influence
Key goals despite advancing age
Spain
Trend
Analysis
Possession-Based Football
Continues to dominate possession metrics
Youth Development
Emergence of Yamal, Pedri, Huijsen, and Williams
Tournament Consistency
Reached three straight Nations League finals
Goal Production
High-scoring performances against elite opponents
Historical Context
The Portugal–Spain rivalry has traditionally favored Spain. The Spanish national team accumulated significantly more international honors throughout the twentieth century and early twenty-first century. Portugal’s rise accelerated after the turn of the century, culminating in Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles.
Spain’s 2008–2012 generation is widely regarded as one of the greatest national teams in football history, winning three consecutive major tournaments. Portugal, while never winning a World Cup, developed into one of Europe’s most consistent tournament participants.
The 2025 Nations League Final highlighted the narrowing gap between the nations. Portugal overcame Spain despite Spain entering the match as reigning European champions and Nations League holders.
Head-to-Head Statistics
All-Time Record
Category
Portugal
Spain
Matches Played
41
41
Wins
7
17
Draws
17
17
Win Percentage
17.1%
41.5%
Recent Meetings
Date
Competition
Result
08 Jun 2025
UEFA Nations League Final
Portugal 2–2 Spain (Portugal won 5–3 pens)
27 Sep 2022
UEFA Nations League
Portugal 0–1 Spain
02 Jun 2022
UEFA Nations League
Spain 1–1 Portugal
04 Jun 2021
International Friendly
Spain 0–0 Portugal
Goals in 2025 Nations League Final
Team
Goalscorers
Portugal
Nuno Mendes (26′), Cristiano Ronaldo (61′)
Spain
Martín Zubimendi (21′), Mikel Oyarzabal (45′)
Penalty Shootout
Team
Penalties Scored
Portugal
5
Spain
3
Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa saved Álvaro Morata’s penalty, helping Portugal secure the title.
Recent Form
Portugal
Match
Result
vs Germany (2025 Nations League SF)
Win
vs Spain (2025 Nations League Final)
Draw, won on penalties
Recent Competitive Trend
Strong performances against elite opposition
Spain
Match
Result
vs France (2025 Nations League SF)
Win 5–4
vs Portugal (2025 Nations League Final)
Draw, lost on penalties
Recent Competitive Trend
Consistent deep tournament runs
Statistical Highlights
Statistic
Value
Total Portugal–Spain Meetings
41
Spain Wins
17
Portugal Wins
7
Draws
17
Nations League Final Score
2–2
Penalty Shootout Score
5–3
Attendance
65,852
Cristiano Ronaldo Goals vs Spain in 2025 Final
1
Nuno Mendes Goals in Final
1
Spain Goalscorers
Zubimendi, Oyarzabal
Portugal Nations League Titles
2
Spain Nations League Titles
1
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the Portugal national football team vs Spain national football team lineups in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final?
Portugal started with Diogo Costa, João Neves, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Spain started with Unai Simón, Óscar Mingueza, Robin Le Normand, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Martín Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz, Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Nico Williams.
Who won the most recent Portugal vs Spain match?
Portugal won the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final after a 2–2 draw and a 5–3 penalty shootout victory.
Who scored in the 2025 Nations League Final?
Portugal: Nuno Mendes and Cristiano Ronaldo. Spain: Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal.
What is the all-time head-to-head record between Portugal and Spain?
Spain lead the rivalry with 17 wins compared to Portugal’s 7, while 17 matches have ended in draws.
Where was the 2025 Portugal vs Spain Nations League Final played?
The match took place at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.
Who was the standout player in the 2025 final?
Nuno Mendes received widespread recognition for his performance, scoring Portugal’s opening goal and contributing significantly throughout the match.
Sources and References
The statistics and match information in this article were verified using data from:
