2019 UEFA Nations League Final Odds & Preview: Portugal vs Netherlands

• Portugal favorites on home turf
• Ronaldo again the key
• Koeman’s young Dutch side will be a threat

On Sunday, June 9, 2019, at 2:45 pm EST, the inaugural UEFA Nations League final takes place in Porto’s Estádio do Dragão stadium, with Portugal and Netherlands battling it out to get their hands on the trophy.

Portugal vs Netherlands UEFA Nations League Final Odds

*Odds taken on June 7, 2019

Portugal’s 3-1 semifinal win over Switzerland looks particularly impressive on paper but shouldn’t disguise the fact that for long spells, the Swiss were the better side and led the way in most of the stats.

Ronaldo the Man

But, not for the first time, they were rescued by that man Cristiano Ronaldo who managed to conjure up a fine hat-trick from a game in which he had looked rusty and out-of-sorts. Yet, he did precisely what he has done so many times before, and from somewhere found it within him to get his country over the line.

At 34-years old, most footballers are winding down their careers, going to China or MLS but not Cristiano Ronaldo.

He's a special player and an absolute machine! ⚽🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/9y0vuqiVMz

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) June 5, 2019

When they need him most, Ronaldo delivers, even at the age of 34.

In a disjointed first-half, Portugal had just a Ronaldo free-kick to show for their efforts – one of his specials that bamboozled Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer – but it was the Swiss who created and missed several chances.

In bizarre circumstances, Switzerland levelled from the penalty spot after VAR had overturned an appeal from the Portuguese and awarded one to the Swiss, and it was the visitors who looked more dangerous and the most likely winners.

But Ronaldo had other ideas, and goals in the 88th and 90th minutes gave him his hat-trick and his team a place in the final.

Portugal vs Netherlands Stats

Despite being lower than the Portuguese in the FIFA world rankings, Netherlands head into Sunday’s final with confidence after what was ultimately a deserved win over England.

In an error-ridden first-half, it was the Dutch who dominated but found themselves a goal down. A rare mistake by young centre-back  Matthijs de Ligt gave Marcus Rashford the chance to give England the lead from the penalty spot, and the Manchester United youngster made no mistake.

More Dutch pressure followed after the break and although England’s performance level had improved, it was still no surprise when de Ligt equalized – from a free header from a corner.

England Within a Whisker

England thought they’d won it in the closing minutes when almost their only free-flowing move of the night ended with substitute Jesse Lingard sliding the ball home, but VAR revealed him to be offside by the smallest margin possible.

Not for the first time, Portugal was rescued by Ronaldo, who managed to conjure up a fine hat-trick from a game in which he had looked rusty and out-of-sorts

Extra-time was edged by the Dutch but it took two defensive howlers from  England to seal the deal. First, it was John Stones who was caught in possession on the edge of his own penalty area, which ultimately led to Kyle Walker bundling the ball into his own net, and then in the dying minutes, Ross Barkley did something similar that ended with Quincy Promes making it 3-1.

For the English, it was an implosion on an epic scale but shouldn’t disguise the fact that the Netherlands were worthy winners and deserving of a place in Sunday’s final.

All of which adds up to an intriguing one on Sunday – one that’s not easy to call.

On one hand, we have the Portuguese, who were ordinary on Wednesday night and were effectively bailed out by the brilliance of Ronaldo, and on the other a technically proficient Dutch side who lack firepower in the final third.

Little to Choose

So, expect a cautious start to the game with the Dutch defense keen to not give time and space to Ronaldo, but as the game gets stretched and legs get tired we expect him to enter center stage for perhaps one final time.

Our pick: Portugal to win (ML +135) & Ronaldo as anytime goalscorer