Netherlands face hosts Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final this Sunday. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
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The Nations League has been a big success for Netherlands so far with Ronald Koeman’s side dispatching France and Germany to reach the last four.
On Thursday night, Netherlands also saw off England 3-1 after extra-time to book their place in Sunday’s final.
Standing between Netherlands and their first trophy since 1988 is Portugal, who overcame Switzerland 3-1 in the semi-finals thanks to a hattrick from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Speaking at his press conference, Koeman stated that the Nations League had been a major success for Netherlands regardless of Sunday’s result, “When we saw the draw for this tournament, no one expected us to win the group. Now we are in the final. There is no pressure. We know what to do. We will have to play well. We have defeated Germany, France and England. It would be incredible to also beat Portugal in-house.”
Team News
Despite having to play extra-time against England, Koeman has stated that everyone in the group is fit and able to play on Sunday. He did not confirm that he would make changes but Algemeen Dagblad expect Quincy Promes to come into the line-up in place of Ryan Babel.
Possible Netherlands line-up: Cillessen, Dumfries, Blind, De Ligt, Van Dijk, De Roon, De Jong, Wijnaldum, Promes, Bergwijn, Memphis
Ronaldo will lead the Portugal attack on Sunday evening and could be joined once again by Benfica wonderkid Joao Felix. The youngster struggled to make an impact in the semi-final but with few options available in attack, Fernando Santos will likely keep faith with Felix.
Porto midfielder Danilo is available for selection again after he missed the semi-final but Pepe is out with an injury.
Possible Portugal line-up: Patricio; Semedo, Fonte, Dias, Guerreiro; Danilo, Carvalho; Bernardo, Fernandes; Felix, Ronaldo
Odds
Portugal 11/8 Draw 9/4 Netherlands 2/1
The bookmakers make hosts Portugal the favourites for the final.
Head to Head
Portugal have an excellent record against Netherlands having won seven out of 14 meetings. Netherlands have only come out on top on two occasions but Koeman’s side did beat Portugal 3-0 last year.
In that friendly, Matthijs de Ligt and Virgil van Dijk defended excellently against Ronaldo and hit the Portuguese three times on the counter-attack to round off a comprehensive victory.
What is at stake in the final
A European Championship place is not yet the prize attached to the Nations League, but Netherlands could take home their second major international trophy, along with €10.5 million. The runners-up get €9 million
Can Netherlands end their 31 year wait for a trophy?
The Nations League has been massive for restoring confidence in the Dutch national team and lifting the trophy would cap a great year for Koeman and Oranje.
Netherlands played well in the semi-final against England but will need to be more clinical in front of goal on Sunday, while tiredness could also play a factor.
Portugal did not need extra-time to overcome Switzerland and also had a days extra rest than Netherlands. Koeman insists his players are fit but after a long season will Sunday’s final be a game too far for the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Netherlands showed in the 3-0 friendly win last year that they can beat Portugal, who have been a bogey team in recent years. Ronaldo will of course be the biggest threat, but if Van Dijk and De Ligt can keep him quiet then Netherlands have a great chance of lifting the trophy.
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