Portugal secured their second trophy in three years with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands to win the inaugural Nations League.
An exciting clash between Portugal and Netherlands in the final of UEFA Nations League at Estadio do Dragao. Both sides will have a point to prove in this vital clash.
After missing out on Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, Netherlands will try to revamp their lost glory by winning the Nations League.
Let us take a look at 4 reasons why Portugal can win the UEFA Nations League.
#4 Home support
Portugal beat Italy and Poland to emerge top of Group 3 and progressed into the semi-final. In the semi-final, they cruised past Switzerland in front of the fans. The final was once again played with huge home support.
Ronaldo's hat trick helped his side secure a place in the final and home fans would surely be excited for the upcoming match. They cheered their hearts out in the support of their favorite team and the Dutch side, with a young squad, are certain enough to feel the pressure.
Throughout the ninety minutes, Portugal had a twelfth man in the game, i.e. the huge number of supporters in a stadium with a capacity of 50,000 odd.
#3 The emergence of young talents
In recent years, Portugal has added many outstanding young players. The youth system continues to improve and young players are given a better platform to improve themselves. For example, Ruben Neves, Goncalo Guedes and Joao Felix are young talents.
#2 Bernardo Silva’s dominance in the midfield
The midfield is the key to the match with prominent players like Frenkie de Jong looking for an opportunity to prove a point. But the man to watch is surely Bernardo Silva.
He was absolutely mesmerizing in the semi-final as he made 4 key passes and produced a man of the match performance. But that was not all.
As a part of his defensive duties, Silva also notched up to produce five successful tackles, a significant record for any player on the pitch.
The midfield general in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City has already proved his worth in the Premier League and is now proving the same in his national colors.
He is a world class player who not only fancies tricks and turns but is also someone who can run for the team and give it all on the pitch with his heart-on-sleeve mentality.
#1 The comeback of Cristiano Ronaldo
Portugal started the UEFA Nations League without their man main as he played no role in the competition last year.
However, the semi-final was a tough clash against the mighty Swiss and there was no better moment for Ronaldo’s resurgence in his national colors.
Although the hype surrounding young starlet, Joao Felix was starting to grow in the semi-final, Ronaldo’s emphatic hat trick turned the spotlight back to the five-time Ballon D’or winner. It was the 7th time he had scored a hat trick while on international duty.