 |
| 2024-2025 European Nations League quarterfinals. |
|
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| XinhuaYonhap News |
|
 |
| ReutersYonhap News |
|
The quarterfinals of the European Nations League (UNL) have been decided to determine the best team in Europe.
The UEFA announced the results of the draw for the quarterfinals of the UNL League A (Top League) in the 2024-2025 season on its official website on the 22nd (local time).
After the group stage, the eight best teams in Europe reached the quarterfinals, so a big match was made. Portugal, France, Germany and Spain ranked first in each group, and Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark qualified for the quarterfinals. The quarterfinals are home and away on 20 and 23 March.
Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nasr), who is still in good shape, will compete with Denmark in March next year, centered on Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), who formed DESK with Son Heung-min and others.
Portugal has won all three of its recent matches against Denmark. Ronaldo, who scored the most (five goals) in this tournament, has shown strong performance by scoring three goals in the last five games against Denmark.
The winner of the Portugal-Denmark match will meet the winner of the German-Italian match 'Traditional Tiger' in the semifinals on June 4 or 5.
 |
| EPAYonhap News |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| AFP Yonhap News |
|
Germany and Italy met in the UNL group stage in the 2022-2023 season, and Germany dominated with one win and one draw. Germany has not lost in 12 years since losing to Italy 1-2 at Euro 2012.
The quarterfinals between Spain, the Netherlands, France and Croatia are characterized by a 'Revenge Match'. Spain and the Netherlands clashed in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and won the title with a score of 1-0 thanks to Andres Iniesta's theatrical goal in extra time.
However, in the next three A matches, the Netherlands dominated with two wins and one draw. In the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he defeated Spain 5-1 and succeeded in avenging it.
France beat Croatia 4-2 in the final of the 2018 World Cup in Russia to become the world champion for the first time in 20 years.
Croatia took revenge by winning 1-0 with Luca Modric's winning goal in the UNL showdown in the 2022-2023 season. Real Madrid teammates Kylian Mbappe and Modric are expected to be interesting.
The Nations League final will be held on June 8.
In the 2022-2023 season, Spain beat Croatia to win the championship.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
