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The Nations League came to a close this week in terms of the actual group action, but further fixtures yet lie ahead: the semi-finals and final as usual for those competing at the top end, but also further fixtures in yet another an expanded Uefa competition.
This time around we have play-offs for promotion and relegation spots, and instead of just a final four encounter, we’ve got quarter-finals to look forward to too.
Scotland and Republic of Ireland are both involved in the playoffs, the former after Andy Robertson’s last-minute heroics, while aiming for Nations League glory this time around will be the likes of European champions Spain, along with France, Germany and Netherlands.
All the build-up, as well as explanations, rules and when the matches will take place, will be detailed in our live blog below – follow the draw as it unfolds:
Nations League draw – live
The finals previously were just semis and final; as mentioned, this year has expanded. So:
Quarter-finals are played over two legs, 20 March and 23 March 2025.
Then it’s onto the semis, a one-off game on 4 or 5 June, with the final – and a third-place playoff for extra irrelevance – taking place on 8 June 2025.
Impressive mileage from a competition few people seem to be all that bothered about, you might say. Still, it’s probably better than friendlies.
Karl Matchett22 November 2024 10:30
Nations League draw – live
Let’s break this down then: playoffs to come, but first the ‘finals’ to sort out.
We have eight quarter-finalists, which are four seeded – the winners from League A groups – and four unseeded nations – the runners-up, naturally.
Each runner-up will be drawn against a winner, but not the one from the Nations League group they already played in. So, Portugal topped A1 ahead of Croatia, for example, so they won’t face each other again now.
Pot 1 (winners): Portugal, France, Germany, Spain
Pot 2 (r/ups): Croatia, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark
Karl Matchett22 November 2024 10:23
Nations League draw: Date, time and how to follow
The Uefa Nations League has undergone changes this season, with the addition of quarter-finals to the knockout stage as well as promotion/relegation play-offs at the conclusion of the first phase.
That, incredibly, includes Scotland , who rescued themselves from automatic relegation with back-to-back wins over Croatia and Poland to end the campaign in third place of Group A1. Andy Robertson’s dramatic winner in Warsaw means Steve Clarke’s side will play one of the runners-up from League B over a two-legged play-off in March, in a bid to preserve their top-tier status.
Meanwhile, Spain are the defending Nations League champions and will be out to retain their crown against the likes of France, Portugal, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands in the Nations League finals.
The draw takes place today and here’s everything you need to know.
Karl Matchett22 November 2024 10:16
Nations League draw – live
Morning all – if you thought the international break was done, you’ve jumped the gun. We’ve one more notable activity to take care of first before the domestic game returns to our screens and scenes: the Nations League draw.
That’s coming up at 11am GMT, with plenty of build-up and explanation beforehand as well as the draw itself.
Karl Matchett22 November 2024 08:21
