PORTO • An unstoppable force will meet an immovable object when Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal clash with Virgil van Dijk's Netherlands for the inaugural Nations League title today.
While there is a rare international trophy at stake, just as fascinating will be the head-to-head battle between two of the finest players in the world - even if this is being played down on the Dutch side.
"We're not just playing against Cristiano Ronaldo," defender van Dijk said after Thursday's 3-1 extra-time semi-final win over England.
"We're playing against an amazing Portugal."
His coach Ronald Koeman agreed and said possession would be the best form of defence against Ronaldo at Porto's Dragao Stadium.
He said: "We know that, sometimes, it's impossible to defend well against Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The best thing we can do is to keep the ball because when we have the ball, he can do nothing in attack."
Van Dijk, who won the Champions League with Liverpool on June 1, was his usual impressive solid self against England, aware of where he needed to be before anyone else. He would arrive, unhurried, and the likes of Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Harry Kane were duly dispossessed.
Statisticians Opta said no player has dribbled past van Dijk in his last 64 club games before the Nations League. Strong and quick, good in the air and relaxed on the ball, he is the complete defender.
"He deserves the Ballon d'Or," Koeman added.
Van Dijk himself played this down, citing Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as favourite.
But it is not Messi but his great attacking rival, Ronaldo, that van Dijk will meet today.
Should Portugal retain their 4-4-2 formation from their 3-1 win over Switzerland, there is the mouthwatering prospect of the two matching up for 90 minutes.
Ronaldo, now 34, may not be quite as dominant as before but a magnificent hat-trick, his 53rd, against Switzerland took his side through to the final.
"A football genius" was coach Fernando Santos' view of his talisman while "little Messi" Bernardo Silva said: "We're used to this kind of thing, he's been doing it for ages. It isn't a surprise to anyone now."
The Portuguese media went to town with his return following a post-World Cup break, with the Correio da Manha newspaper declaring "The Return of the King" on its front page.
Captaining Portugal to a trophy at home would be another high point in Ronaldo's incredible career and would vanquish any lingering scars from the Euro 2004 final loss to Greece in Lisbon.
"It's the preparation, my work ethic. I still feel good despite being 34," Ronaldo told uefa.com. "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."
DPA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Although the hot and stormy weather is no indicator, football season is right around the corner in Baltimore. It's no secret that Ravens fans love to travel to support the
International Champions Cup Singapore - Visit Singapore
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel (C) speaks to Neymar before extra-time in the French Cup final
PSG Coach Thomas Tuchel Hits Out At Neymar After Fan Attack
Football: Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to
Alas, Poor Villain: Goro earns some sympathy from the party during his final battle, and they're even willing to bury the hatchet and join forces with him against his Arch Nemesis Dad. Okumura's brutal death also inspires some pity from the thieves, especially since he was their newest member's father.
A Gift for Dying by M.J. Arlidge - goodreads.com
Football: China all but confirmed as 2023 Asian Cup hosts
Jurgen Klopp felt Mohamed Salah turned in a masterful all-round performance as he brought up 20 goals for the season in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's 'massive' points haul as he
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria Saturday, June 08, 2019 4:12 p.m. CDT Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - Norway v Nigeria - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 8, 2019 Norway's Guro Reiten
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria | News | i106.7
A quiet first 60 minutes gave way to a big German goal vs. China in the two teams' opening match of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup™. Giulia Gwinn gets Germany on the board vs. China | 2019
Giulia Gwinn gets Germany over against China at Women's World
Inside Training: Salah & Mane return for pre-season training, lactate testing and basketball - Duration: 5:53. Liverpool FC 2,413,054 views
Whats wrong with Mo Salah? - RedsBet
N'Golo Kante was the hero as he scored the only goal to help Chelsea beat Crystal Palace, and increase the gap between themselves and fifth-placed Arsenal. Kante scored the only goal of the game in the 51st minute when he broke forward from midfield to convert David Luiz's throughball.
Kante strikes as Chelsea beat Palace - webverzeichnis24.net
Football: Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct over behaviour at home game against Burnley been offended by a comment from the Burnley bench. "Maurizio Sarri has been charged
The Standard - Kenya: Chelsea boss Sarri charged with
The Premier League voiced "significant concerns" over potential reforms to the Champions League on Friday, saying the changes would damage the thriving domestic game. Reported reforms being put forward for further discussion include changing the current group stage from eight groups of four to four
Premier League Voices Fears Over Proposed UCL Reforms
Brewers aim to keep momentum going vs. Pirates The Milwaukee Brewers don't need Christian Yelich to hit homers to win. After all, Yelich didn't add to his total of 21 on Thursday.
Brewers aim to keep momentum going vs. Pirates
6 Reasons to Keep Your Money in the Bank You could forget where you hid it. The terrible thing about good hiding spots is that they're good hiding spots. If you put it where you least expect
How Long Should You Keep Business Records | MileIQ
