The UEFA Nations League takes a thrilling turn as the knockout phase kicks off
After a grueling series of group matches, national teams are ready to take center stage as they compete for the coveted top spots in the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League.
One of the most highly anticipated matches of the tournament is the quarter-final showdown between Spain and the Netherlands, which promises to be a repeat of the classic 2010 FIFA World Cup final that saw Spain lift its first World Cup trophy.
Another exciting match-up is brewing between Italy and Germany, a clash of titans that promises to be an electrifying contest steeped in the rich history of these two European footballing giants.
Both Germany and Spain have already secured their places in the quarter-finals with impressive displays in the group stages, finishing with two matches to spare in October. Joining them will be Italy, the Netherlands, France, and Portugal, who all secured their quarter-final spots from their respective groups.
The Quarter-Final Draw is as follows:
Netherlands vs Spain
Croatia vs France
Denmark vs Portugal
Italy vs Germany
As the quarter-finals conclude, the semi-final paths will be set, setting the stage for some mouth-watering showdowns that could culminate in thrilling finals:
Semi-Final Pathways:
Winner of Italy/Germany vs Winner of Denmark/Portugal
Winner of Netherlands/Spain vs Winner of Croatia/France
Meanwhile, the League A/B Play-Offs will take place, featuring matchups that will determine the final rankings of teams in the Nations League hierarchy. The seeded teams hail from the third-placed finishers of League A groups, while the unseeded teams are the runners-up from League B groups.
The fixtures are:
League A/B Play-Offs:
– Turkey vs Hungary
– Ukraine vs Belgium
– Austria vs Serbia
– Greece vs Scotland
Similarly, the League B/C playoffs present an opportunity for lower-ranked teams to make their mark, with the seeded teams consisting of the third-placed finishers in League B groups and the unseeded teams comprising the runners-up in League C groups.
The fixtures are:
League B/C Play-Offs:
– Kosovo vs Iceland
– Bulgaria vs Republic of Ireland
– Armenia vs Georgia
– Slovakia vs Slovenia
Lastly, the League C/D Play-Offs will feature the two highest-ranked fourth-placed teams from League C as seeded teams, while the unseeded side will comprise the runners-up from League D.
League C/D Play-Offs:
– Gibraltar vs Latvia
– Malta vs Luxembourg
