4 sides will e book their place within the 2024/25 Nations League semi-finals on Sunday night once they contest their quarter-final second legs throughout the continent.
There have been a number of upsets throughout Thursday evening’s first legs as Croatia conquered France and Denmark triumphed over Portugal, leaving two of Europe’s behemoths and former competitors winners with a mountain to climb in the event that they wish to progress to the ultimate 4.
Spain are the defending champions and have a sizeable barrier to hurdle on Sunday themselves, whereas Germany and Italy will even struggle for his or her place within the subsequent spherical.
Right here is how 90min believes the second legs will play out.
Croatia surprised their 2018 World Cup remaining adversaries France on Thursday and have been worthy winners in Break up. They boast a 2-0 benefit from the primary leg courtesy of Ivan Perisic rolling again the years, however shall be laborious pushed to carry their lead. Les Bleus shall be a wholly totally different proposition on house soil and have the deepest and most proficient squad in worldwide soccer.
Denmark additionally upset the percentages with their 1-0 victory over inaugural Nations League champions Portugal within the first leg, Rasmus Hojlund scoring the one purpose of the sport throughout a dominant efficiency from the Scandinavians. They need to have a more healthy cushion heading into the second leg, nonetheless, and Roberto Martinez’s aspect could punish their opponents’ profligacy on Sunday.
Spain have loved a trophy-laden spell beneath Luis de la Fuente, beginning with the Nations League in 2022/23 and persevering with with the European Championships final summer time. They struck in stoppage time on Thursday throughout their 2-2 first leg draw with the Netherlands to make sure they enter the second leg solely needing a one-goal victory to progress to the final 4. The Dutch, who have been crushed finalists in 2018/19, shall be underdogs in Valencia.
Considerably surprisingly, Germany have by no means made it to the semi-finals of the Nations League, one thing they’re aiming to rectify on Sunday once they host Italy. Their comeback victory in Milan means they’re 2-1 up from the primary leg and they are going to be fancied to make it past the quarter-finals. The Azzurri are nonetheless discovering their ft beneath Luciano Spalletti and can wish to defy expectations in Dortmund this weekend.
|
Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
19:45 |
France vs Croatia |
3-0 (AET) |
|
19:45 |
Germany vs Italy |
1-1 |
|
19:45 |
Portugal vs Denmark |
3-1 |
|
19:45 |
Spain vs Netherlands |
2-1 |
