Portugal 1-0 Netherlands - 4 things we learnt from the UEFA Nations League final

#2 Portugal making impressive strides under Fernando Santos

Portugal v Netherlands - UEFA Nations League Final

It is hard to believe that as recently as three years ago, the Portuguese national team had yet to win a major international trophy.

The country had produced consecutive Under-20 World Cup winning teams in 1989 and 1991. This group of players, which had within its ranks Portuguese greats like Luis Figo, Rui Costa, Joao Pinto and so on were affectionately termed 'the Golden Generation'. Yet, they failed to make a major mark on the international stage culminating with the heartbreak of Euro 2004 on home soil.

Cristiano Ronaldo made his tournament debut that year and six tournaments later, he skippered the side to their first major international trophy in 2016 at the expense of France.

That victory came in the most unlikely of circumstances, as the Portuguese flattered to deceive and were roundly outplayed in most of their matches, only making it to the knockouts by the skin of their teeth.

Since then, Fernando Santos has been building the side into a solid and effective winning machine.

Some of the most exciting midfield players in Europe right now are Portuguese, with Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva lighting up the Premier League in England, while Bruno Fernandes is among the hottest properties in the transfer market.

Danilo and William Carvalho provide the steel at the base of midfield, giving their more technical teammates the license to go forward.

Elsewhere, Fernando Santos is also spoiled for choice especially in the full-back position, as Raphael Guerrero, Joao Cancelo (who did not start the final), Nelson Semedo and the highly rated Ricardo Perreira (who was not even called up) are among the best full-backs anywhere in the world.

There are also young upstarts in almost all departments, with the highly sought after Joao Felix, Andre Silva, Gonzalo Guedes, Gelson Fernandes and Rony Lopez all 23 or under.

2016 Golden Boy Renato Sanches has not been part of the national setup for a while but still has a lot to offer if he can get his career back on track. Andre Gomez is also a similar case. There is no clearer indication that Portugal are well prepared for the next decade or more.

Veterans like Joao Moutinho, Nani, Pepe and the omnipresent Cristiano Ronaldo are still very much present to complement their young compatriots and on evidence of their squad depth. It would be foolish to write off Portugal's chances of making it three consecutive continental trophies at the EURO next year.