- The UEFA Nations League quarter-finals feature historic clashes, including Italy vs. Germany and Netherlands vs. Spain
- The tournament, introduced seven years ago, has gained credibility, replacing friendlies with competitive fixtures
- Previous winners Portugal, France, and Spain remain in contention, while Italy and Germany aim for their first final
Key Takeaways:
Today is a major football day for Europe. It marks the beginning of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, featuring some of the biggest historical rivalries in international football.
The UEFA Nations League was introduced seven years ago to replace meaningless friendlies and provide a more competitive environment for national teams. While initially met with skepticism, the competition has since proven its worth, ensuring that teams face opponents of a similar caliber. The format, once considered complex, is now well understood – four leagues divided into groups of four teams (except the lowest tier), where teams aim for promotion to higher divisions.
#NationsLeague Matchday! ⚽️🤩🙌 pic.twitter.com/I32tpPB5uZ
— UEFA Nations League DE (@EURO2024DE) March 20, 2025
At the elite level, the tournament is even more intense. The four group winners and their runners-up enter a knockout stage to determine the best team in Europe. This has set up thrilling two-legged quarter-final matchups, all of which carry significant historical importance. The first legs will be played tonight, beginning at 20:45 CET.
One intriguing aspect of the competition is its unpredictability. Each of the previous three editions has seen a different winner — Portugal lifted the inaugural trophy, followed by France, and then Spain. Among the quarter-finalists, Italy and Germany are two of the most successful footballing nations but have never reached the final of this tournament and that will remain the case for one of them after this round.