Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Kylian Mbappé’s France, and Lamine Yamal’s Spain have secured their spots in the UEFA Nations League Final Four, raising questions about the upcoming draws and matchups.
The UEFA Nations League quarterfinals have concluded, leaving some unexpected results in their wake. With Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Kylian Mbappé’s France, and Lamine Yamal’s Spain advancing, the Final Four and semifinal matchups of the competition have been set.
The quarterfinals delivered some thrilling encounters, with Italy and Germany (4-5 on aggregate) being the only match decided in the regular 180 minutes. Meanwhile, Ronaldo contributed to Portugal’s 5-2 aggregate win in extra time, securing their ticket to the next stage of the competition.
The other quarterfinals were equally dramatic. After an entertaining 5-5 aggregate score, Yamal, who scored a goal and missed a penalty, helped Spain defeat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout. The Croatia-France match also went to penalties, where Mbappe’s France advanced to the Final Four.
Who will host the Nations League Final Four?
In May 2024, both Germany and Italy bid to host the Nations League Final Four. Since the two teams faced off in the quarterfinals, UEFA decided that the winner, in this case Germany, would host the final stage of the competition.
The games will be played at the Allianz Arena in Munich and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart. While the exact match scheduling is yet to be confirmed, both stadiums will host the semifinals, the third-place playoff, and the final.
UEFA Nations League draw
Unlike the quarterfinals, the semifinal games will be one-off matches, meaning the final could be played during the same international break. One semifinal will feature Germany against Portugal, with Ronaldo aiming to add a third international trophy to his collection after beating Italy and Denmark, respectively.
The other semifinal will see Spain face France, after both teams defeated the Netherlands and Croatia in the quarterfinals. This will mark another showdown between Yamal and Mbappe, with the 17-year-old Spaniard holding a 4-1 record against Mbappé, with victories for Barcelona and Spain, while Mbappe’s sole win came with Paris Saint-Germain.
Both semifinals will take place during the next international break, before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup begins. The two semifinals will be played on June 4, with the third-place playoff and final scheduled for June 8.
