UEFA Nations League 2024/2025

[Trollheart]

League C, Group 1 (C1)
Slovakia v Estonia
Anton Malatinsky Stadium, Trnava

Just the one goal was enough to decide the match, though Estonia held on for 72 minutes before Slovakia put one past them to take the game.

Result: Slovakia 1 - 0 Estonia

League C, Group 1 (C1)
Sweden v Azerbaijan
Strawberry Arena, Solna

Finishing on a high in every sense, Sweden racked up the second-highest score of the tournament so far, scoring in the tenth minute, but it was a tale of two strikers, Tottenham's Kulusevski getting the first goal, while Gyokeres scored twice more in the half, to put Sweden 3-0 up at the break. No let-up for Azerbaijan as the Spurs man scored again on 57 minutes with his partner slamming their fourth, and his hat-trick, in one minute later. Gyokeres then netted his fourth of the night, Sweden's sixth, twenty minutes from time. Azerbaijan blown away, and hit, as they say, for six.

Result: Sweden 6 -0 Azerbaijan

League C1 table: Sweden top the table with 16 points and proceed, and are promoted to League B. In second place, Slovakia with 13 points manage a qualification play-off, Estonia are third with 4 points and shell-shocked Azerbaijan go home and are relegated to the depths of League D, a single point to their name.

[Trollheart]

League D, Group 2 (D2)
Malta v Andorra
National Stadium, Ta'Qali

Could have been an intense match, full of missed chances, dodgy decisions and balls coming back off the post, though I doubt it. Can't tell you anything though as it ended 0-0.

Result: Malta 0 - 0 Andorra


League D2 table: Moldova top the table with 9 points and qualify for the next round, are promoted to League C, while Malta are second with 7 points and may manage to get through via the promotion play-offs. Andorra at the bottom of the table with a truly miserable 1 point, but as there's nowhere to go, can't be relegated. That's as far as they go though.

[Trollheart]

All three of them?

You know they scored against England once? Went 1-0 up after 10 seconds or something stupid like that.

Hah yes maybe I should have said on the street of the City of San Marino, but it just doesn't have the same ring does it? "Here I go, here I go, here I go!" etc. Yeah I know they shocked England before (won't lie: I cheered) but this is their greatest ever achievement, so they deserve their sore heads in the morning.

[Trollheart]

So then


But before I close, let's do a quick recap of where we are:

Through to the quarter-finals (in alphabetical order):

Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
France
Germany
Italy
Moldova
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
North Macedonia
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Spain
Sweden
Wales

Eliminated (letters in brackets equals relegation status, first letter is the league they were playing in, second is the league they've been relegated to)

Albania (B/C)
Andorra
Azerbaijan (C/D)
Bosnia (A/B)
Finland (B/C)
Israel (A/B)
Kazakhstan (B/C)
Liechtenstein
Lithuania (C/D)
Montenegro (B/C)
Poland (A/B)
Switzerland (A/B)

May qualify through play-off games:

Armenia
Austria
Bulgaria
Gibraltar
Greece
Kosovo
Malta
Slovakia
Turkey
Ukraine

May avoid relegation via play-offs:

Belgium
Iceland
Republic of Ireland
Georgia
Hungary
Latvia
Luxembourg
Scotland
Serbia
Slovenia

[Trollheart]

And


See you next March!

[Trollheart]

Thanks to, I think, ITV snaffling up all the rights to the live games and presumably highlights too, and my inability to record from, or really even get that channel, I have no match footage to watch. I tried YouTube, but most of them have no commentary and are about as much use to me as a barber shop on the steps of the guillotine, so I'm just going to use the Wiki reports and see what I can do.

Quarter-finals, Thursday March 20 2025
First leg


Netherlands v Spain
De Kuip, Rotterdam

Although they opened the scoring on 9 minutes, Spain were pegged back when Liverpool's Cody Gakpo netted just before the half-hour, and by the first minute of the restart they were ahead, the Spanish looking likely to be going home losers until the last few minutes of extra time when they equalised. They'll be confident of going through in the second leg at home, but they were almost at a disadvantage till the dying moments.

Result: Netherlands 2 - 2 Spain
Advantage: Neither


Croatia v France
Stadion Poljud, Split

A shock defeat for the former world champions as France were unable to score, Croatia wrapping up the match before half-time, with one just before the half-hour and the second in extra time at the end of the first half. France with it all to do at home on Sunday now.

Result: Croatia 2 - 0 France
Advantage: Croatia


Denmark v Portugal
Parken Stadium, Copenhagen

And another shock defeat as footballing princes Portugal were beaten by Denmark, who scored the only goal 12 minutes from time to take the advantage back to Lisbon, where they may expect a tough rematch in the second leg.

Result: Denmark 1 - 0 Portugal
Advantage: Denmark


Italy v Germany
San Siro, Milan

Italy were ahead at home on 9 minutes, but the second half was all Germany, as they scored twice to take the advantage back to Munich on Sunday.

Result: Italy 1 - 2 Germany
Advantage: Germany

[Trollheart]

Play-offs Thursday March 20 2025
First leg


Turkey v Hungary
Rams Park, Istanbul

Turkey were ahead within 9 minutes, but Hungary pulled one back just after the half-hour to leave it all square at half-time. On 70 minutes the Turks were ahead again, and four minutes later took their third, and the match, to give them the advantage going into the second leg. Hungary now have to hope to add two more goals to their tally at home and prevent the Turks from scoring, or it's extra time and maybe penalties. A good night for Turkey in Istanbul.

Result: Turkey 3 - 1 Hungary
Advantage: Turkey


Ukraine v Belgium
Nueva Condomina, Murcia

One of a few shock results as Ukraine came good against one of Europe's (former?) footballing powers, coming back from 1-0 when Lukaku scored just before halftime to hammer the Belgians with three goals in twelve minutes, levelling just after the hour and then putting two more past the visitors to take the advantage going into the second leg.

Result: Ukraine 3 - 1 Belgium
Advantage: Ukraine


Austria v Serbia
Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna

Austria struck first, taking the lead just eight minutes before the halftime whistle, but Serbia came storming back just after the hour to level the tie, and leave qualification very much in the balance. Austria should really have been able to do better at home, and will now have it all to do on Sunday in Belgrade.

Result: Austra 1 - 1 Serbia
Advantage: Neither


Greece v Scotland
Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus

A great victory for Scotland as they take a one-goal lead back to Glasgow, McTominay scoring just after the half-hour to give his team a real advantage on Sunday.

Result: Greece 0 - 1 Scotland
Advantage: Scotland


Kosovo v Iceland
Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Pristina

A chilly night in Pristina for Iceland as they saw their leveller, scored three minutes after Kosovo had opened the scoring, cancelled out as the home side took the match just after the hour.

Result: Kosovo 2 - 1 Iceland
Advantage: Kosovo


Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland
Stadion Hristo Botev, Plovdiv

A poor start for us as Bulgaria took only 6 minutes to score, but for once we didn't crumble, and 15 minutes later we were level, with a second just before the end of the half deciding the game in our favour. Advantage Ireland for Sunday! Who woulda thunk it? COYBIG!

Result: Bulgaria 1 - 2 Republic of Ireland
Advantage: Republic of Ireland


Armenia v Georgia
Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan

Armenia well-beaten by Euros debutantes Georgia, who surely now want to get to the World Cup and show what they're made of. They set down a marker here, putting three past the Armenians without reply, two in the first half and one in the second.

Result: Armenia 0 - 3 Georgia
Advantage: Georgia


Slovakia v Slovenia
Tehelne Pole, Bratislava

The battle of the Balkans? Maybe, and each seem to have cancelled the other out, as neither of the former Yugoslav teams could score. Hope for better in the second leg on Sunday in Ljubljana!

Result: Slovakia 0 - 0 Slovenia
Advantage: Neither

[Trollheart]

Yes! We CAN get through to the World Cup and make up the numbers! We CAN give tiny African or East European or part-timer sides hope that they might actually win a game! We CAN get a little way through to the early stages and then collapse when we most need to come together, and we CAN go out in humiliating fashion again, giving all the big teams something to laugh at!

WE CAN DO IT!
COME ON, YE BOYS IN GREEN!
DO IT FOR IRELAND!

[jimmy jazz]

Be good for you to watch Ireland at a WC. Been a very long time since Keane, Taipan and the penalties.

The Americans are going to be a fucking nightmare if Ireland get there though. I can see it now.

Anyway do it for Tayto, for de tirty tird team, and for tinkers.

[Trollheart]

Quarter-finals, Sunday March 23 2025
Second leg


Spain v Netherlands
Mestalla, Valencia
Aggregate score before match: Spain 2 - 2 Netherlands

No advantage for either side going into the second leg, and as it happened, that was how it would end up at full time. Not because there were no more goals scored (hey, this is Spain we're talking about here, and the Netherlands ain't no slouches either) but because the score ended tied again. Spain took an early lead when they were awarded a penalty on 8 minutes, a lead they held till nine minutes into the second half, when Netherlands had a penalty of their own. All square now, on the night and on aggregate.

Thirteen minutes later Spain were 2-1 up, and twelve minutes after that it was level again, so to extra time it went, where the teams could still not be separated, Spain seeming to have won it with a last-gasp goal in the first half of extra time, only to see that lead disappear for the third time as Netherlands took their second penalty kick, the third of the match, to level up the scores again.

And so, to a penalty shoot-out.

The first three kicks were all on target for both sides, then delight for Netherlands as the Spanish missed their fourth! Ah, but then the Dutch missed theirs, so all equal again. Spain then scored their fifth, as did the Netherlands, and then the sixth Spanish goal went in. Now it was all up to Villa's new man, Malen, to keep his country in it. He couldn't, and so Spain win 5-4 on penalties.

Result: Spain 3 - 3 Netherlands (Spain win 5 - 4 on penalties)
Aggregate score after match: Spain 5 - 5 Netherlands


France v Croatia
Stade des France, Saint-Denis
Aggregate score before match: France 0 - 2 Croatia

The former world champions overturned a 2-0 deficit from the first leg to level the aggregate, scoring twice in the second half to force extra time. Still level on aggregate at the final whistle, it was another penalty shootout. France scored their first (when has Mbappe ever missed?) but Croatia missed their first, putting the French in the ascendancy. The next ones were scored by each country and the third ones were missed by each, but France still ahead 2-1, which became 3-2 when the next one was successful for each country, then a chance for Croatia to catch up as France missed their fourth and Croatia scored. 3-3 now. The next two were scored, 4-4, then France scored their fifth, but Croatia's nerve broke and they missed theirs, making it 5-4 to France.
Result: France 2 - 0 Croatia
Aggregate score after match: France 2 - 2 Croatia (France win 5 - 4 on penalties)


Portugal v Denmark
Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon
Aggregate score before match: Portugal 0 - 1 Denmark

A hard fought match. The Danes brought an unlikely but slim one-goal lead back to a smouldering crucible full of football-mad Portuguese, and no doubt sent the crowd into paroxysms of glee when they gave away an own goal seven minutes from half-time, Portugal one to the good at the break. Eleven minutes after the restart though they levelled, the aggregate now back in their favour, 2-1. Then Ronaldo popped up for his eight millionth goal with 18 minutes of the match to go, all square again. Undaunted, Denmark came back four minutes later to again retake the lead, but four minutes from full time Portugal took a third to force extra time, the aggregate now 3-3.

One minute into the extra time they scored a fourth, to pull ahead, and in the second half of extra time they made it safe with their fifth.

Result: Portugal 5 - 2 Denmark
Aggregate score after match: Portugal 5 - 3 Denmark


Germany v Italy
Westfalenstadion, Dortmund
Aggregate score before match: Germany 2 - 1 Italy

Germany had the advantage going into the second leg, and extended that on the half-hour with the opening goal when they were awarded a penalty. Six minutes later it was two, and they banged in their third just before the half-time whistle. Italy fought back in the second half, scoring five minutes after the restart to make the aggregate 5-2, then again in the last twenty minutes to reduce it to 5-3, but even a last-minute penalty in added time couldn't give them enough to pull level on aggregate, and they fell one goal short of pushing extra time.

Result: Germany 3 - 3 Italy
Aggregate score after match: Germany 5 - 4 Italy

[Trollheart]

Play-offs, Sunday March 23 2025
Second leg

Hungary v Turkey
Puska Arena, Budapest
Aggregate score before match: Hungary 1 - 3 Turkey

Heading into this second leg with a two-goal advantage over Hungary, Turkey increased their chances of promotion when they got a penalty eight minutes from the break. Two minutes later they were two up, adding a third in the final minute to stride confidently into the top league.

Result: Hungary 0 - 3 Turkey
Aggregate score after match: Hungary 1 - 6 Turkey
Outcome: Turkey promoted to League A, Hungary relegated to League B.


Belgium v Ukraine
Cegeka Arena, Genk
Aggregate score before match: Belgium 1 - 3 Ukraine

Unlike Turkey, Belgium took the home field with a two-goal deficit to make up. They were unable to overturn this in the first half, but neither were Ukraine able to score and capitalise on the three goals they had scored against them in the first leg. The Belgians made the breakthrough twenty minutes from time, adding a second five minutes later to square the aggregate. Extra time was looming as the match headed towards full time, but in the last six minutes Belgium scored again to inch the win and turn around the disadvantage.

Result: Belgium 3 - 0 Ukraine
Aggregate score after match: Belgium 4 - 3 Ukraine
Outcome: Neither team is promoted nor relegated.


Serbia v Austria
Red Star Stadium, Belgrade
Aggregate score before match: Serbia 1 - 1 Austria

Nothing to separate the teams as they met for the second leg in Belgrade, but it was the home side who scored ten minutes after the restart to take the lead, both on the night and on aggregate. In the final minute of normal time they doubled that lead to take the match.

Result: Serbia 2 - 0 Austria
Aggregate score after match: Serbia 3 - 1 Austria
Outcome: No promotion or relegation


Scotland v Greece
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Aggregate score before match: Scotland 1 - 0 Greece

Scotland took a slim lead back to Hampden Park, but within 20 minutes that lead was gone, and before the end of the second half Greece had taken the lead themselves, making it certain one minute after the restart, blowing the Scots away at home.

Result: Scotland 0 - 3 Greece
Aggregate score after match: Scotland 1 - 3 Greece
Outcome: Greece are promoted to League A, Scotland relegated to League B.


Iceland v Kosovo
Nueva Condomina, Murcia
Aggregate score before match: Iceland 1 - 2 Kosovo

Iceland wiped out the aggregate deficit within two minutes, but Kosovo equalised on the night just after the half-hour to again take the aggregate lead 3-2. In extra time at the end of the half they scored a second, the aggregate now 4-2 until ten minutes from the final whistle, when the visitors took a third, making it 3-1 on the night, 5-2 over the two legs.

Result: Iceland 1 - 3 Kosovo
Aggregate score after match: Iceland 2 - 5 Kosovo
Outcome: Kosovo are promoted to League B, Iceland relegated to League C.


Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Aggregate score before match: Republic of Ireland 2 - 1 Bulgaria

An overconfident Irish side played well but wasted chances, and paid for that in the first half when Bulgaria scored against the run of play to even up the aggregate before half-time. Ireland came back with a goal just after the hour to pull ahead on aggregate, and added a second on the night six minutes from time to take the tie both on the night and on aggregate.

Result: Republic of Ireland 2 - 1 Bulgaria
Aggregate score after match: Republic of Ireland 4 - 2 Bulgaria
Outcome: No promotion or relegation.


Georgia v Armenia
Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena, Tbilisi
Aggregate score before match: Georgia 3 - 0 Armenia

Armenia did not help their already pretty hopeless cause two minutes into the match when an own goal gave the Georgians an unexpected but dream start, the aggregate now 4-0. Georgia didn't need any help though, and put another four past the Armenian keeper before half-time. The struggling visitors managed to net after the restart but it was nothing more than a consolation. Georgia finished the job just after the hour, Armenia crushed.

Result: Georgia 6 - 1 Armenia
Aggregate score after match: Georgia 9 - 1 Armenia
Outcome: No promotion or relegation.


Slovenia v Slovakia
Stozice Stadium, Ljubljana
Aggregate score before match: Slovenia 0 - 0 Slovakia

The only match in the first leg to end goalless, this was as poor with just the one goal scored, that being by the home side when the game had been heading for another nil-nil and extra time. In the fifth minute of injury time the game was finally decided.

Result: Slovenia 1 - 0 Slovakia
Aggregate score after match: Slovenia 1 - 0 Slovakia
Outcome: No promotion or relegation.