Spain – Portugal, live | Follow the UEFA Nations League match

The Spanish anthem sounds

Footballers jumped on the playing field and the songs of Portugal and Spain could be heard over the loudspeaker.

More from Louis Henry

The coach scolded the calendar, saying “in the summer you will come with tired batteries” and predicted that “there will be surprises before the World Cup. We will choose the ones we consider the best.”

20:19It was less than half an hour for the game and we were already noticing the tickles in the stomach. Great duel to be seen today with Benito Villamarín, who is decked out to welcome the Spanish team.

Busquets appreciates the compliment

The captain thanked Luis Enrique for his words. “I’m trying to bring it back to him on and off the field. As for dosing myself for the World Cup, it’s hard because I also play at a club and I’m proud that with Luis and Xavi (Hernández) he continues to be a main piece, “said azulgrana.

Press room

Luis Enrique did not miss the opportunity to praise Sergio Busquets, captain of the Spanish team. “Busi’s thing is unique. He’s often unfairly criticized. He’s the one who played the most minutes. I want to give him a break, but I can’t afford the whims. He’s indispensable to our team and now we want the best version of the national team ”said the Spanish coach.

The disappearance of Thiago

Thiago Alcántara will not be able to participate in this fight or subsequent fights due to a muscle injury. The Liverpool midfielder was injured after the Champions League final and his physical problems did not go away in these early days of concentration, so after this Spain-Portugal match he will be released.

A new Nations League

This selection date will serve as the start on the path of a new Nations League, a competition in which Spain is runner-up after losing in the final in October (1-2) and lifted by Portugal in 2019. La Roja is measured today in the fifth, on Sunday in the Czech Republic, next Thursday in Switzerland and will close the course in another duel against the Czech Republic on Sunday 12 June.

Level test

Spain will now try against a level selection like the Portuguese to find out where they will face the 2022 World Cup next November. There is still half a year for the World Cup and La Roja will face penultimate concentration before the Qatar event.

Luis Enrique, there are surprises as well

We didn’t expect to see Diego Llorente as a starter, but the Asturian coach bet on him as the axis of defense alongside Pau Torres. In midfield, the presence of Carlos Soler, who ended the season at a high level, was also surprising. Above, what to expect from Ferran, Sarabia and Morata.

Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing!

The Manchester United striker will start the match from the bench with a surprising eleven from Fernando Santos. CR7 is the top scorer at the national team level with 115 goals, but it was the André Silva-Leao duo, accompanied by Bernardo Silva, who led Portugal’s attack tonight.

‘Eleven’ of Portugal
Fernando Santos also showed a 4-3-3 built by Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Pepe, Danilo, Guerreiro; Bruno Fernandes, Moutinho, Otavio; Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva and Leao.

On the Portuguese bench are Rui Partrício (ps), Rui Silva (ps), Dalot, Carmo, Palhinha, Ronaldo, Carvalho, Guedes, Neves, Nuno Mendes, Horta and Matheus Nunes.

‘Eleven’ from Spain
Luis Enrique bet on his traditional 4-3-3, developed by Unai Simón; Azpilicueta, Diego Llorente, Pau Torres, Jordi Alba; Carlos Soler, Busquets, Gavi; Ferran Torres, Morata and Pablo Sarabia.

Remaining on the bench are Robert (ps), Raya (ps), Iñigo Martínez, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Asensio, Ansu Fati, De Tomás, Rodri, Marcos Alonso, Carvajal and Dani Olmo.

Confirmed lineups!

Good afternoon

let’s start it
Spain-Portugal ng
League of Nations to be played on
Benito Villamarin from 8:45 p.m.