Spain is the European champion, France is the World Cup runner-up, and England is a two-time consecutive European runner-up… But would you dare to put your hand in the fire and say that any of them have more quality than what Portugal currently has at its disposal?The squad announced today by Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martíinez, for the Nations League quarterfinal double-header against Denmark is terrifying! So much footballing talent and class in one place… It almost makes you feel sorry that such a team has fallen into the hands of Roberto Martinez—we all know how things went with Belgium.🚨🇵🇹 PORTUGAL’S SQUAD for the upcoming Nations League QUARTER-FINALS against Denmark. 🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/bIoBMpzWm4— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) March 14, 2025 Perhaps the only position where Portugal doesn’t have a global superstar is in goal, but that doesn’t mean Diogo Costa isn’t a reliable and high-quality goalkeeper. At center-back, they have Ruben Dias, Juventus’ Rafael Veiga, and young stars from Benfica and Sporting: Antonio Silva and Goncalo Inacio.On the flanks, there’s Nuno Mendes, Nuno Tavares, Nelson Semedo, and Diogo Dalot. And the midfield? Absolutely stacked! Vitinha and Palhinha, Joao Neves and Ruben Neves, Manchester’s maestros Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva…On the wings, they have Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafa Leao, Trincao, and Conceicao, along with the new sensation, Jovane Quenda. Up front, there’s Goncalo Ramos and Diogo Jota.On the other hand, when you’re the reigning European champion, you don’t need to make too many changes, so Luis de la Fuente hasn’t experimented much ahead of Spain’s Nations League quarterfinal clash with the Netherlands. However, there is one new face, as 22-year-old Real Madrid center-back Raul Asencio has received his first call-up.Asencio was chosen over Dean Huijsen, a player with a more intriguing life story but ultimately someone who plays for Bournemouth—a club that, in the eyes of Spaniards, simply isn’t on Real Madrid’s level.🇪🇸 @RaulAsencio7 has been called up to the Spain squad! pic.twitter.com/RL7dlc90H2— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 14, 2025 Huijsen was born in Amsterdam but moved to Marbella when he was just five years old. He became a Spanish citizen in February last year and switched national teams, though he can still change his mind as he has yet to make a senior appearance. However, for now, he will play for Spain’s U21 squad in March, despite having come through all of the Netherlands’ youth ranks.Someone had to step in since Spain will be without the injured Aymeric Laporte and Dani Vivian. That’s why Inigo Martinez has returned to the squad after not playing for the national team since November 2023.🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 | Squad list for the #UEFANationsLeague quarter-finals matches.The Spanish national team are set to face the Netherlands in a double-header on 20 and 23 March 2025.ℹ️ https://t.co/KSwoTfs1oE#VamosEspaña pic.twitter.com/38M4zsNAGo— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) March 14, 2025 Goalkeeper Unai Simon is also back—he hasn’t featured since Euro 2020, as an injury kept him out last fall. Isco was also hoping for a return, as he’s been shining for Betis lately, but he hasn’t played for the national team since before the Euros in 2020. He had high hopes, but the call never came.And the rest of the squad? Simply breathtaking. Even without the injured Rodri, there’s Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Marc Cucurella, Pedri, Dani Olmo… Young, dynamic, and extremely dangerous.The first match against the Netherlands will be played on March 20 in Rotterdam, with the return leg on March 23 at Mestalla—chosen specifically because Valencia suffered devastating floods last year.LA LIGA MATCHDAY 28Friday23:00: (2.85) Las Palmas (2.95) Alaves (2.75)Saturday16:00: (5.30) Valladolid (3.60) Celta (1.70)18:15: (1.85) Mallorca (3.40) Espanyol (4.60)20:30: (3.15) Villareal (3.75) Real Madrid (2.15)23:00: (2.05) Girona (3.50) Valencia (4.00)Sunday16:00: (3.80) Leganes (3.35) Betis (2.05)18:15: (3.15) Sevilla (3.20) Ath.Bilbao (2.55)20:30: (2.40) Osasuna (2.90) Getafe (3.45)20:30: (2.55) Rayo Vallecano (3.15) Sociedad (3.20)23:00: (3.30) Atl.Madrid (3.60) Barcelona (2.25)***odds are subject to change***
