Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal set for first-ever clash: When and where is the UEFA Nations League Final?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Lamine Yamal’s Spain have advanced to the UEFA Nations League Final, setting up a marquee clash between two international powerhouses. With this marking the first-ever meeting between Ronaldo and Yamal, fans are eager to know when and where the final will take place.
Both teams had to overcome major challenges en route to the final. On Wednesday, Portugal faced off against tournament hosts Germany at the Allianz Arena. After Florian Wirtz gave Germany the lead, Portugal responded with a second-half comeback, thanks to goals from Francisco Conceicao in the 63rd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo in the 68th.
Spain, meanwhile, emerged victorious in a thrilling 5-4 battle against France at a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Yamal played a key role, scoring a penalty in the 54th minute and adding another goal in the 67th with a low shot that slipped under goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
First-ever clash between Ronaldo and Yamal
This will be the first on-field meeting between Ronaldo and Yamal, representing two distinct generations of soccer excellence. While Ronaldo looks to add one more international trophy late in his legendary career, 17-year-old Yamal continues to cement his status as one of the sport’s brightest rising stars.
Despite their global profiles, the two have never shared a pitch. Ronaldo’s move from Manchester United to Al Nassr in 2022 effectively ended his European club career, while Yamal was still only 15 and just beginning to break through at Barcelona—making any club matchup between them impossible.
They nearly crossed paths at Euro 2024, which Spain eventually won. A semifinal showdown between Spain and Portugal was on the cards, but Portugal was eliminated in the quarterfinals by France in a penalty shootout.
When and where is the UEFA Nations League final?
The UEFA Nations League Final between Spain and Portugal will take place on Sunday, June 8, with kickoff scheduled for 3 PM ET. Earlier that day, the third-place match between Germany and France will be held six hours prior.
The highly anticipated final, and first-ever meeting between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lamine Yamal, will be played at Allianz Arena, home of Bayern Munich. The stadium also recently hosted the UEFA Champions League Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, adding to its high-profile run of matches and setting the stage for a historic showdown.