Match Preview – Portugal vs Netherlands

Watch Portugal against the Netherlands in the first league finals Sunday at 7:30 pm on Sky Sports Football; Coup de sending at 19:45

The first final of the League of Nations offers Cristiano Ronaldo the opportunity to personally secure the silverware for Portugal for the first time – but he will have to defeat Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands to get his hands on the trophy .

Ronaldo's record in the international finals is insignificant compared to his formidable club record. The tears after the grief that prevailed on the national ground against Greece in the final of Euro 2004 were followed by another challenge at Euro 2016, where his injury l? cruelly excluded in just 25 minutes.

Ronaldo has always played his part in Paris by stalking the sideline and barking instructions as Portugal got its first win in a major tournament, but you can be sure that he envied Eder's contribution. in title in overtime.

Three years later, the four-time winner of the Golden Ball is ready to steal the show. The form suggests that he might be lucky for the third time after his sensational triplet against Switzerland sealed Portugal's pbadage to the final.

"Together we can become champions"

Ronaldo talking to UEFA.com"When I wear the national team jersey, it is a huge honor for me and a different feeling than the one we meet in clubs.

"I grew up in Portugal, so it's special to wear the jersey of the national team." And, of course, the opportunity to fight for trophies makes it even more special – as it was the case at the Euro 2004 and the Euro 2016, and how this competition will be now.

"Three finals and I hope to win two of three.This would be fantastic, and I hope – just like the team.We are positive, we play at home.

"I hope that the stadium will be great, that there will be good energy, that this energy will be transmitted to us and that everyone can be confident because we will try to do our best. we can become champions. "

More than Ronaldo vs Van Dijk

Ronaldo shows no signs of shortness of breath even at the age of 34, but if you were to challenge a world football defender to stop, you would probably opt for Van Dijk.

The center back and captain of the Netherlands is arguably the best in Europe after leading Liverpool to victory in the Champions League final and Sunday's final against his impressive semifinal performance against England.

It can not be denied that Van Dijk and Ronaldo are the star players in the Netherlands and Portugal, but both sides have moved away from the potential confrontation between the two.

"We play in Portugal, we do not play Cristiano Ronaldo," Van Dijk said. "They have a very good team, it will be difficult, we have to be ready."

Dutchman Ronald Koeman added: "It's not a battle between two players, it's a battle between Portugal and Holland.

"We know that it's sometimes impossible to defend yourself against Cristiano Ronaldo, the best thing to do is to keep the ball and have a good ball because when you have the ball, it can not do anything." to make an attack. "

Final statistics of the League of Nations

• Portugal has reached its second major final in the last three years, having won the Euro 2016 in France.
• The Netherlands appear in their first final since the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™ in South Africa. The Dutch have lost three of their last four major finals. Their last victory was won in the Euro 1988 final.
• Portugal has lost only two of its 13 previous matches and international meetings with the Netherlands in all competitions (W7 D4).
• The Netherlands have never beaten Portugal in Portugal, making two draws and losing three of their five matches in all competitions.
• Portugal is looking to become the first European country to host and win the final of a major competition since France defeated Brazil 3-0 in the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup ™.
• In his semifinal win against Switzerland, Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 53rd hat trick for club and country.
• Since Ronald Koeman took over the Netherlands in February 2018, the Oranje have lost just three of their 13 games, six wins and four draws.
• Jasper Cillessen will be only the fifth goalkeeper to score 50 caps for the Netherlands after Edwin van der Sar (130), Hans van Breukelen (73), Maarten Stekelenburg (58) and Gejus van der Meulen (54).

Nations League live on Sky Sports

You can watch every minute of the final of the League of Nations live on Sky sports.

Third and fourth places – Switzerland vs England: Sunday 9 June from 13:30, live Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event; Coup de send at 14h.

Final Nations League – Portugal v The Netherlands: Sunday 9 June from 19h, live Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event; Coup de sending at 19:45.