With perhaps the biggest debate in sports being Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Lionel Messi for the title of the best player in the world, Ronaldo added another achievement to his claim for the top spot, helping lead Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title on Sunday.
After scoring a hat trick in the semifinal against Switzerland – despite the Swiss playing a more fluid game – the Portuguese came out with more energy and attacking prowess in the final against Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands, thoroughly outplaying their opponent in the 1-0 victory.
Portugal had multiple chances to add to its lead throughout the game, but were only able to convert just one, via a Goncalo Guedes’ first international goal at the hour mark of the match.
Goncalo Guedes' first international goal fires Portugal ahead of the Netherlands in the UEFA #NationsLeague final!pic.twitter.com/OPJLxAtubW
— Yahoo Soccer (@FCYahoo) June 9, 2019
Portugal were then able to squash any effort by the Dutch to equalize in the last half hour, holding on to win their second major tournament in the nation’s history.
Despite a loss in the final for the Netherlands, the resurgence of Dutch football seems to be moving along, after missing the 2016 EUROS and the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Looking forward, the team looks to be major players in the upcoming UEFA European Championship in the summer of 2020.
With the second major trophy claimed in three years by the Portuguese, Ronaldo and Co. will look forward to the 2020 EUROS, looking to repeat as champions after claiming the title in 2016.
