MATCH PREVIEW | Dreaming of continental dominance

Destiny has called Luis de la Fuente’s side back to the Munich Football Arena this 8 June with the chance to make history. There, in the most imposing stadium of the Bavarian capital, Spain — four-time European champions — face another monumental challenge: to extend their continental dominance in the UEFA Nations League.

La 1 of TVE will broadcast the match live (21:00)

The group stage matches — in which the national team remained unbeaten — and the tough knockout rounds against the Netherlands and France are all now behind them. Today, at 21:00, the title is up for grabs between Spain and Portugal, the reigning champions and the first ever winners of the trophy.

Spain lifted the 2023 Nations League in Rotterdam after beating Croatia in a penalty shootout; Portugal, for their part, won it in 2019 by defeating the Netherlands in Lisbon (1-0)

Since they first met in December 1921, the 'all Iberian derby' has been played forty times over the years, although this will be the first in a major final. In the collective memory: the 2012 European Championships semi-final decided by penalties, the South Africa 2010 Last 16 match with Villa’s goal, or more recently, the thrilling 3-3 draw in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The record to date is as follows: eighteen wins for Spain, six for Portugal, and sixteen draws

A clash that speaks of talent, quality and boundless passion. A match that brings together different generations and which, this time, will unfold in the spectacular home of Bayern, the Munich Football Arena — a place with fond memories for our internationals, having secured victory over Les Bleus on its turf in the semi-final of the last Euros.

334 days later, Spain will once again be accompanied by their fans (more than 12,000 expected) in one of the most iconic temples of world football, looking to continue writing golden pages in the history of the Nations League. Spain are already the team with the most wins in the tournament and the team who have got to the most finals. And, should they secure a second title, they would also be the most decorated side on the continent.