Portugal vs Spain

Coach Luis Enrique tried to stay optimistic about Spain's chances of advancing in the Nations League following a disappointing home loss to Switzerland.

Spain is looking for its second consecutive appearance in the final four after finishing runner-up to France last year. “We see it as a final,” Luis Enrique said Monday, two days after the 2-1 loss to Switzerland dropped Spain from first to second in Group A2 ahead of the decisive match in Braga. Switzerland has six points, two more than the Czech Republic ahead of their match in Switzerland to try to avoid relegation. Spain needs the victory after seeing its 22-game unbeaten run at home ended by Switzerland on Saturday. “We just have to focus on winning rather than reaching the final four,” Santos said on Monday. “I want the players to face Spain on their merit, as they do all opponents.

Fernando Santos' side are not always the easiest on the eye but have proven themselves as being able to deal with the demands of tournament football and are ...

We want to be in the finals. La Roja slipped to a defeat at home to Switzerland last time out and ceded their status as group leaders, meaning anything other than a win in Braga will see them finish second. [Nations League](/topic/nations-league) action provides us with an Iberian derby at the top of Group A2.

Portugal vs Spain live updates: Preview, start time, how to watch, line-ups for Nations League match · Can Luis Enrique and Spain rely on players who don't play?

Diogo Dalot scored twice while Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota also got on the score sheet. They have won titles recently, like the Euros or the Nations League. Luis Enrique said on Friday that he did not think this lack of minutes at club level was an issue as every player had looked sharp and fit at training throughout the week. Santos has been in charge of Portugal’s national side since 2014 and is more than happy to find a home for the former Real Madrid player in his starting XI. Before the best national sides were tasked with facing opponents of a similar quality between tournaments in the Nations League, any underlying problems could quite easily go under the radar. SC Braga's Municipal Stadium has established a reputation for being one of the most picturesque in Europe and that is where tonight's game is being played. As for Spain, their performance against Switzerland was miles from their best so the raft of changes made by Enrique were expected. A quick reminder that Portugal will qualify for the finals of the Nations League if they can avoid defeat this evening. Among a few more English-based players on the bench, Leao and Felix are the most dangerous that could make an impact from the bench. Although, the Portugal manager would be well within his rights to bench him for crimes against fashion with those glasses! After trying his hardest to leave Manchester United in the summer, he has shown exactly why none of Europe's top clubs felt a move for him was viable. Avoiding defeat will be enough to see Fernando Santos' side into next summer's finals in the Netherlands while only victory can help the visitors into the next stage.

And now, while club football has gone on break, the Nations League is back. The last leg of the group stage will be played on the night of 28 September. Special ...

They have a clear matrix in the way they play. [Serbia](https://www.instagram.com/fudbalskisavezsrbije/?hl=en) (1-2). The Spaniards suffered only one defeat and one draw in eight rounds of group-stage qualifying. The rest of the encounters saw victories. [France](https://www.instagram.com/fff/) (1-2). Overall, Spain only got two victories in the group stage – over Switzerland (1-0) and the Czech Republic (2-0). This defeat, which was the first in the last nine games, came at a terrible time as Portugal thrashed the Czech Republic 4-0 to move into the lead. If Cristiano gets discouraged again, someone will have to take the lead in attack. A lot will depend on this lad in the match against Spain as well. Of course, he still attracts both media attention and the fullbacks on the pitch, but there are other great players in Fernando Santos’ squad who have matured to shine. The former were the winners of the debut tournament, the latter were last year’s finalists. [Switzerland](https://www.instagram.com/swiss_nati_men/) (0-1).

Portugal loses possession. Ferran Torres tries to be inventive with a deep cross. But his attempted shot is above the cross bar. 39'. Bruno Fernades, and ...

He took the ball with his back to the goal and shoots on turn. Rodri is the heart of the Spain side with his flawless passing and his press-resistance. Mendes is the primary outlet and he is given the space to drill in two sharp crosses. “We see it as a final,” Luis Enrique said Monday, two days after the 2-1 loss to Switzerland dropped Spain from first to second in Group A2 ahead of the decisive match in Braga. Portugal wins a corner soon and there comes the first shot on target of the game. The crowd is expressing its discontent at how unimaginative Spain is being with the ball. Portugal counters from the set piece and wins a corner itself. Neves spots Bruno Fernandes making a run into the box and tries to find him with a long ball. Carvajal tries to resolve it through the right wing and wins a corner thanks to Morata. Portugal breaches the spell of possession and breaks. Busquets comes in for Spain and Rodri replaces Guillamon in the defense. Fernandes wins the ball and finds Jota in the box.

Get a report of the Portugal vs. Spain 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, Group Stage football match.

However, we went down and lost the intensity after the 60th minute," Santos told a news conference. "We were really well organised in the first half. "Spain began to push and came from really having no chances to end up scoring a goal. They face Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H. Everyone will think the second half was incredible, but the first half was necessary for that. It's a pleasure to have so many quality Spanish players. "If we were knocked out it had to be by leaving everything on the field and that's how it was one more time for us. "Every time that Spain have to show up in big games we do it. It's a huge joy, we're in the final four again, let's enjoy it." A win is the best antidote," Luis Enrique said after the match. Asked about who he'd take to the World Cup in November, Luis Enrique said: "It's not about 26 players, there are 40 who could go to the World Cup. "This is a marvellous sport.

Spain snatched a place in the Nations League final four after striker Alvaro Morata's late goal secured a 1-0 win over hosts Portugal on Tuesday to ensure top spot in their group. Portugal had dominated the match but Spain stayed in the contest and in ...

However, we went down and lost the intensity after the 60th minute," Santos told a news conference. "We were really well organised in the first half. "Spain began to push and came from really having no chances to end up scoring a goal. They face Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H. Everyone will think the second half was incredible, but the first half was necessary for that. It's a pleasure to have so many quality Spanish players. "If we were knocked out it had to be by leaving everything on the field and that's how it was one more time for us. "Every time that Spain have to show up in big games we do it. It's a huge joy, we're in the final four again, let's enjoy it." A win is the best antidote," Luis Enrique said after the match. Asked about who he'd take to the World Cup in November, Luis Enrique said: "It's not about 26 players, there are 40 who could go to the World Cup. "This is a marvellous sport.