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As it happenedended

Portugal vs Netherlands result: Goncalo Guedes goal clinches Nations League final glory for hosts

Re-live the action from the Uefa Nations League final in Porto

Miguel Delaney
Estádio do Dragão, Porto
,Michael Jones
Sunday 09 June 2019 21:37 BST
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Portugal National team training before Nations league semi-final

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Goncalo Guedes scored the only goal of the game as Portugal beat Holland to be crowned the first-ever Nations League champions.

The final in Porto was not a game for the ages as a match billed as a battle between the two captains, Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil Van Dijk, was settled by Valencia forward Guedes on the hour mark.

The 1-0 win was enough for the reigning European champions to add the inaugural Nations League crown to their honours list with victory in front of their own fans. Re-live the action below:

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Ronaldo: I've still got a lot to give

Cristiano Ronaldo is still up for the challenge of leading his country to win the inaugural Nations League trophy. 

He scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against Switzerland and feels ready for the final. 

"I still feel good despite being 34 years of age," said Ronaldo. "It is the preparation and my work ethic."

"The most important thing is your head, to feel motivated and happy, and to follow my path as a player, because I think I still have a lot to give and I feel very good."

 

Michael Jones9 June 2019 18:43

Team news for Portugal 

Michael Jones9 June 2019 18:46

Rui Patricio: Ronaldo a 'fantastic professional'

Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio was keen to point out that there's more to this side than just Cristiano Ronaldo, but couldn't help compliment his conduct around the team.

"It's great to have the opportunity to work with Cristiano," the Wolves goalkeeper said at the pre-match press conference.

"On and off the pitch he's a fantastic professional. We are very proud of him and we learn a lot from him.

"We are all playing to win here, not just Cristiano. We all want to win this trophy. He works every day for that, just like we all do

"It's great that he scored a hat-trick against Switzerland, but he does not have any additional responsibilities on his shoulders. He does what we all do, which is to fight for this trophy."

Jack Watson9 June 2019 18:47

Team news for the Netherlands

Cillessen (GK), Dumfries, de Ligt, van Dijk, Blind, de Roon, de Jong, Wijnaldum, Bergwijn, Depay, Babel

Michael Jones9 June 2019 18:51

Here's a look at the two teams side-by-side:

Portugal

Rui Patricio (GK), Nelson Semedo, Jose Fonte, Dias, Guerreiro, Danilo, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Goncalo Guedes, Ronaldo

Netherlands

Cillessen (GK), Dumfries, de Ligt, van Dijk, Blind, de Roon, de Jong, Wijnaldum, Bergwijn, Depay, Babel

Michael Jones9 June 2019 18:55

Portugal are in a good run of form when it comes to major finals. This is the second one they've reached in the last three years having also won the European Championship in 2016. 

Before then though they had only ever reached one final of a major competition in their history - finishing as runners up at Euro 2004, in Portugal.

Netherlands are appearing in their first final since the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa, a match they ended up losing 0-1 to Spain after extra time.

This is only fifth final the Oranje will have been a part of having lost three of their last four major finals.

Euro 1988 in Germany with a side that included current manager Ronald Koeman was the last time they came out of a major final with a victory. 

Michael Jones9 June 2019 19:02

Should they win the Nations League, Portugal will become the first European nation to host and win a final of a major competition since France defeated Brazil in the final of the 1998 World Cup.

The stats are on their side as they have only lost two of their previous 13 encounters with the Netherlands.

In fact, the Netherlands have never beaten Portugal in Portugal, drawing two and losing three of the five matches that they've played here.

However in the last meeting between the two sides in March 2018 it was the Netherlands who were the victors, as they beat Ronald Koeman's side 3-0. 

Michael Jones9 June 2019 19:07

Earlier in the day England saw off Switzerland 6-5 on penalties to claim the third place medals, the hero of the shootout? Jordan Pickford.

Here he is talking about two penalties, the scored and the one he saved:

Michael Jones9 June 2019 19:16

With a potential big money move in the summer, tonight could be invaluable to the stock of Matthijs de Ligt:

Michael Jones9 June 2019 19:21

Team news

Jose Fonte, Danilo and Gonçalo Guedes all come in as Portugal make three changes to the team that defeated the Swiss in the semi-final.

They replace Pepe, Ruben Neves and Joao Felix. 

The Netherlands, meanwhile, name the same side that beat England in the semi-final.

Michael Jones9 June 2019 19:26

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