The draw for the knockout phase and play-offs in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League provided enticing match-ups as some of Europe’s heavyweights will lock horns, Afrosport reports.
The quarter-finals draw will see a tough test for Nations League holders and Euro 2024 champions Spain, as La Roja has been pitted against the Netherlands in a battle between two of last year’s semifinalists.
The other games in the last eight will see winners of the inaugural edition Portugal take on Denmark; 2021 champions France are up against Croatia in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup Final; and Italy will lock horns with Germany in another mouthwatering clash.
The quarter-final ties 🍿
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🇮🇹🆚🇩🇪#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/yaBEGt1r0w— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 22, 2024
Meanwhile, the semifinal placements have also been drawn, with the winner of the Spain/Netherlands match up against the winner of the match between Croatia/France in what could potentially be a rematch of the Euro 2024 semifinal.
The winner of the Italy/Germany tie will take on the winner of the Denmark/Portugal match.
The path to Nations League glory in 2025 🏆#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/6hU4MaNt6g
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 22, 2024
The quarter-finals will be played across two legs with the games scheduled for March 20 and 23, 2025; the semi-finals are expected to be navigated on Wednesday, June 4, and Thursday, June 5, 2025; and the final, which is currently without a confirmed venue, will be played on Sunday, June 8.
The European Football body, UEFA, also conducted the draws for the play-offs to determine which nations will be promoted or relegated across Leagues A to D.
The League A/B and B/C play-offs are expected to be held on the same days as the quarterfinals, but the League C/D play-offs are slated for 26 and 31 March, 2026.
UEFA Nations League Knockout Phase Fixtures
Nations League quarter-finals
Netherlands vs Spain
Croatia vs France
Denmark vs Portugal
Italy vs Germany
Nations League semi-finals
Italy/Germany vs Denmark/Portugal
Netherlands/Spain vs Croatia/France
Nations League playoffs
League A/B
Turkey vs Hungary
Ukraine vs Belgium
Austria vs Serbia
Greece vs Scotland
League B/C
Kosovo vs Iceland
Bulgaria vs Ireland
Armenia vs Georgia
Slovakia vs Slovenia
League C/D
Gibraltar vs Latvia
Malta vs Luxembourg
