UEFA Nations League Final 2019 Highlights, Portugal v Netherlands: After going toe-to-toe for ninety minutes, Portugal defeated Netherlands 1-0 to win the UEFA Nations League 2019, thanks to a 60th minute Goncalo Guedes goal.
Earlier, the two teams had progressed into the final after defeating Switzerland and England in the semi-finals respectively. Even though the Netherlands defence marshalled by Virgil van Dijk was watertight, a moment’s brilliance from Guedes won Portugal another UEFA trophy in three years on their home soil. Netherlands were left lamenting as they left it too late with their chances, which didn’t actually put the Portuguese defence through much problems.
Congratulations galore for Portugal!
Portugal win two trophies in three years
PORTUGAL WIN THE INAUGURAL NATIONS LEAGUE!
FULL TIME: Portugal 1-0 Netherlands
PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE!
After desperate attempts by Netherlands to equalise, after a barrage of balls and passing movements, Portugal hold on to their lead thanks to a Goncalo Guedes goal at the hour-mark.
90 1' Three minutes added
Three minutes of stoppage time have been added, and Netherlands players look frustrated, as Depay is booked for dissent.
88' Dumfries booked
Denzel Dumfries becomes the first player to be booked in the evening after fouling Rafa Silva down the left wing.
85' Portugal controlling the tempo
82' What an introduction that could have been
Seconds after coming on, de Jong set van de Beek for goal, but Rui Patricio tipped the fumbled shot away. Netherlands have less than 10 minutes to save this match.
82' A substitution apiece
Portugal bring on Joao Moutinho for Bruno Fernandes; the Netherlands introduce Luuk de Jong in place of Marten de Roon.
79' De Roon's shot rising
After a nice passage of play involving Blind, Depay and Promes, Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon absolutely skies a shot from 25 yards.
77' Portugal trying to remain in control
After a threatening run by Rafa Silva was neutralised by van Dijk, Portugal regain possession and are trying to impose control over the game in these late stages.
76' Portugal make a change
Benfca's winger Rafa Silva is on for the goalscorer Goncalo Guedes.
75' All Netherlands now
Although the Oranje are dominating the play, they are coming up short with the final ball inside the penalty box. Maybe an inclusion of Luuk de Jong can turn those crosses into threatening headers?
72' Netherlands need a goal or two even
70' Dutch on the way up
With the inclusions of Promes and van de Beek, Dutch are more confident in the final third linking well with Depay and Wijnaldum. It makes you think as to why they weren't given starts by Koeman.
69' Netherlands sniffing blood
Wave after wave from the Oranje, as a cross by Daley Blind was cleared by the Portuguese defence.
65' Crucial save by Rui Patricio
Netherlands are finally shifting well into the attack, as a good opportunity crafted by van de Beek's cross was shot on target by a decent downwards header by Depay which was saved scruffily by Rui Patricio.
60' GOAL! Portugal 1-0 Netherlands
GONCALO GUEDES FINDS THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER!
Guedes started the move from the left and after a swift passing exchange with the Manchester City midfielder, he found himself right on the edge of the before unleashing a nice right-footed shot past the Dutch goalkeeper. The game is finally alive and kicking!
60' Netherlands make a change
To add to their attack, Donny van de Beek is on for Steven Bergwijn.
56' End-to-end stuff
The game is finally alive, with Netherlands now forcing a corner, after Depay created a chance which was blocked by the Portuguese defence.
54' Portugal in full flow
Corner after corner for the men in red! After defending a header from Jose Fonte in the previous corner, Netherlands defend another to concede another after blocking Guedes' shot.
Second half begins
Back with the second-half! Promes (in) - Babel (out) (Netherlands) | Will Portugal's pressure see the deadlock broken? Or will the Netherlands get the breakthrough?
HALF TIME: Portugal 0-0 Netherlands
Portugal end the half with 12 shots and 41% possession, while Netherlands have registered just 1 shot, but still have 59% possession. Something to think about for Ronald Koeman during the break?
45 1' Portugal with their sixth corner
Taken deep by Bernardo Silva, the chance was wasted by 35-year-old Jose Fonte, and the whistle blows.
44' First corner for Netherlands
After Blind's cross is blocked by Semedo, the Dutch had their first corner, which was then wasted by Netherlands as Portugal defended it well.
41' Ronaldo cutting in from the left, saved
Portugal turning up the ante, with Cristiano Ronaldo now doing what he does best, but not good enough, as he finds himself in space cutting in from the left after beating Dumfries, but his shot is collected safely by Cillessen.
38' Portugal opportunity above the bar
With what was his fifth shot of the match so far, Bruno Fernandes lodged a shot from outside of the box, only to find it skimming above the bar with Cillessen just standing undisturbed.
37' Battle of the best
35' Netherlands watertight
34' Portugal dominant so far
Netherlands have had 60 per cent of the possession and no shots at goal, whereas Portugal have had 40 per cent and six shots. A certain ex-United Dutch manager must be loving this performance from the Oranje.
33' Netherlands toothless so far
Keeping the possession mostly between de Ligt, de Jong and van Dijk, Ronald Koeman's side needs to come up with something to start using their pace to threaten the likes of Semedo and Guerreiro.
31' Ronaldo header saved, offside
From the consequent corner, Cristiano Ronaldo jumps highest, as he usually does, but his header is saved by Cillessen easily. The linesman ruled it offside.
30' Bruno Fernandes again
Finally, some threat to Cillessen. After Semedo charged through the right flank and made some space for Bruno Fernandes, he placed a shot for the bottom left corner! Saved by the Dutch goalkeeper.
28' Jose Fonte header saved
From a brilliant corner by Bernardo Silva, Jose Fonte connects his header, brings it down to the ground which is ultimately saved by the Barcelona goalkeeper. Still not enough to breathe life into the match.
26' All quiet on both fronts
Apart from a barrage of long balls and throw-ins, this game hasn't exactly brought about any particular moments. Both Netherlands and Portugal defences don't have much to do.
21' Portugal knocking at the door
After a healthy piece of play from left-back to right wing, Portugal thread a few passes to approach the Dutch penalty box, but couldn't get Cillessen into action. Goncalo Guedes' backheel the highlight of the passage of the play.
20' Portugal tight at the back
Lacking in pace at the heart of the defense, Portugal have worked out the kinks and are not giving Netherlands any amount of space at all. Danilo and William Carvalho are shielding the defence well enough.
17' Bergwijn ruins chance
From a Bruno Fernandes mispass, Bergwijn finds himself against two defenders, but he takes too long and and Ruben Dias deals with the PSV-forward's threat.
11' Portugal with first corner of the game
Well worked out from the corner, Bruno Fernandes again finds himself in space but his left-footed shot finds itself safely in the grip of Cillessen.
11' Netherlands struggling to attack
Still working out the bits, but so far, Netherlands have found it hard to link midfield with attack fluently in the final third. Depay and Babel still waiting to be involved in the game.