Portugal beats Netherlands to win inaugural Nations League

Portugal added a second trophy in three years by beating the Netherlands to win the maiden Nations League. 

Fernando Santos’ side triumphed at the 2016 European Championship and Goncalo Guedes’ second half strike gave them the lead.

Santos said: “For the last five years, we have been an almost indestructible family who know what we are capable of doing,” he said. “We knew we could win this match.”

The match was centered on the clash of the two influential skippers – Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk.

Both players claimed silverware at club level last season, Ronaldo winning the Serie A title with Juventus, while Van Dijk contributed to ending Liverpool’s seven year wait for a trophy by triumphing in the Champions League.

Ronaldo, 34, scored a sublime hat-trick in the semi-final victory over Switzerland but was unable to add to his 88 international goals, seeing a thumping, goalbound drive blocked by the towering Van Dijk.