UEFA Nations League

Croatia and the Netherlands will line up in next June's UEFA Nations League finals after topping their groups.

[declared an interest](https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/news/0274-14e640ea0817-97dd3dd8abcb-1000--four-bidders-declare-interest-in-hosting-2022-23-uefa-nations-l/). [edging their neighbours 1-0](https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2034551--netherlands-vs-belgium/) thanks to Virgil van Dijk's second-half header. Christoph Baumgartner levelled for the hosts, and it took goals from Marko Livaja and Dejan Lovren to seal a [3-1 victory](https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2034552--austria-vs-croatia/) – and keep Group A1 rivals Denmark at bay. It hasn't all been plain sailing since: the Oranje came from 2-0 down to draw with Poland while both wins against Wales came courtesy of added-time goals. When is it? UEFA Nations League final four: Who is in it?

Ivan Perisic helped Croatia secure their place in next summer's UEFA Nations League finals with a 3-1 victory in Austria on Sunday.

Troy had the ball in the net early on after a slaloming run but was denied by an offside flag, with both Matt and Troy later going close to hitting the target. Matthew started and was withdrawn in the 79th minute. It means Croatia finish top of Group A1, narrowly ahead of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s Denmark, who ran them close by securing a 2-0 home victory over France on Sunday.

Croatia beats Austria 3:1 in Vienna for a spot in the UEFA Nations League finals! With this win, Croatia finished at the top of Group 1.

And then another Croatia corner in the 71st minute. With this result, Croatia finishes at the top of Group 1 and advances to the UEFA Nations League Finals! A diving header into the opposite side of the goal, and it was 1:3 for Croatia! Livaja moved behind the Austria defender and headed near post into the goal for 1:2 Croatia in the 69th minute! Croatia attacked well in the 55th minute. The ref called for another free kick for Austria, this time in closer range to the goal. More bad news came for Croatia in the 16th minute. Croatia's brilliant start of the game was rewarded with a goal in the 6th minute. Lovro Majer was subbed on in the 18th minute. September 25, 2022 - Croatia beats Austria 3:1 in Vienna for a spot in the UEFA Nations League finals! Croatia would secure first place in Group 1 and the final tournament with the victory against Austria. Modric found Brozovic, who missed the ball and gave Austria a quick counterattack.

Karol Swiderski of Poland celebrates with teammate Robert Lewandowski after scoring their team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 ...

The rebound drops back to James for the second time, but his second effort is also well saved by the Polish stopper. In total, the 32-year-old made a total of three critical saves, in addition to two parried stops. James carries the ball a good 30-yards before going for the shot towards the near corner, but Szczesny gets down well to parry it. His lack of sharpness may be down to the fact he has only been utilised sporadically for his club, Los Angeles FC in the MLS. Ultimately though, the team have not been able to register a win, and that has cost them. The first period was characterised by strong challenges flying in from both sides and some defensive lapses by Wales, one of which almost cost them a goal.

Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix will return to the Portugal squad for their crunch UEFA Nations League clash with Spain.

[A ruthless Switzerland handed La Roja a first home loss since 2018 in Zaragoza with goals from Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji and Breel Embolo.](https://www.football-espana.net/2022/09/24/spain-suffer-uefa-nations-league-blow-with-switzerland-defeat) [Diario AS](https://as.com/futbol/internacional/joao-felix-apunta-a-espana-n/), the 22-year-old has now recovered from injury, and took part in training today. [Portugal dismantled the Czech Republic, with a 4-0 away win, in their own penultimate game](https://www.football-espana.net/2022/09/25/portugal-slaughter-czech-republic-ahead-of-decisive-spain-clash-in-nations-league), to give Fernando Santos’ side a two point lead over Spain.

The Nations League comes to an end for Germany and an England side that will slip out of the top tier.

The likes of Raheem Sterling and Harry Maguire have delivered for most of the current manager's reign but have struggled with the Three Lions of late, and in the case of the latter, are doing nothing at club level to earn their international opportunities. Surely though it is too late for the likes of Tomori to find themselves in the England side? Usually, a dead rubber in a lower-stakes tournament such as the Nations League would afford opportunities to give fringe players such as Ivan Toney and Fikayo Tomori a chance to earn their place in Qatar.

In a World Cup preview, Denmark stuns reeling France again. "Stuns" probably isn't the right word. · Netherlands hold off Belgium · Robert Lewandowski and Poland ...