Another international break has begun, the group phase of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League is seeing its final matchdays. Before the weekend, Flashscore has put together a selection of six explosive games that are worth tuning in for.
Thursday, November 14th
Group B2: Greece vs England – 8:45 p.m
In the first leg of the last international break a month ago, England suffered a bitter and surprising 2-1 defeat against Greece at Wembley. The game was marked by several things: the memory of former Greece international George Baldock, who died the day before, Lee Carsley’s kamikaze attack tactics and Greece’s first win against England in history.
Since that game, the English have announced that Thomas Tuchel will take over next year and Carsley will hand over the reins to the German. In addition, both Greece and England won a game later on. This puts the two teams at the top of Group 2 in League B. Greece has won four out of four games, while England have recorded three wins.
The Three Lions will be looking for revenge and a win to move level with the Greeks in the table. However, Ivan Jovanovic’s team proved in the Nations League that they not only have heart, but are also one of the best teams outside of the A-League. In order to be promoted back to the elite, England must improve significantly compared to the first game
Friday, November 15th
Group A4: Denmark vs Spain – 8:45 p.m
It continues in League A, where European champions Spain lead Group 4 ahead of Denmark, Serbia and Switzerland. During the international break, the Spaniards will travel to Copenhagen, where they will meet Denmark on Friday evening.
Luis de la Fuente’s side are unbeaten in the group so far and have only conceded a single goal in the group stage. The toughest test came during the last international break against those same Danes. In Murcia they narrowly defeated the Scandinavians 1-0.
The defeat against Spain was the only one that Kasper Hjulmand’s team had to accept in the group phase so far. The Danes have defeated both the Swiss and the Serbs at home. Of course the European champions are the favorites, but Denmark, which has not won against Spain since 1993, also believes it has a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.
Saturday November 16th
Group B4: Türkiye v Wales – 6:00 p.m
The top of the Group 4 table before the last two matchdays is extremely exciting. Turkey lead the group with 10 points, with Wales just two points behind in second place. The two teams meet on Saturday in Kayseri in the direct promotion playoff.
Both teams are still unbeaten in the group, which also includes Iceland and Montenegro, and drew 0-0 in the first leg in Cardiff. Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey are in slightly better form and can look back on three wins in a row. It also has some outstanding young talents in Kenan Yildiz and Arda Güler.
Wales, on the other hand, are enjoying a bit of a revival under the watchful eye of former star player Craig Bellamy. After the win against Montenegro, Bellamy became the first Welsh coach in history to go unbeaten in his first four games. Can he continue this streak with an away win?
Sunday, November 17th
Group A2: Italy vs France – 20:45 CET
Italy vs France – there aren’t many games that have as much tradition as this one. For both teams, one immediately thinks of their triumphs at World and European Championships. Fittingly, both teams are fighting for group victory in the Nations League and, with six and five points ahead of third-placed Belgium, should have the best chance of reaching the quarter-finals regardless of the outcome of the game, while Israel has already been eliminated from Group A2.
In fact, both teams will probably already be qualified before they meet on Sunday. A draw against Belgium would be enough for Italy, which would also secure a quarter-final ticket for France, who host Israel on Thursday.
Didier Deschamps is again without his troubled star Kylian Mbappe. France will also be without Antoine Griezmann, who announced his retirement from the national team after the two teams’ last meeting in Paris. Luciano Spalletti’s team won the first leg 3-1.
Monday, November 18th
Group A1: Croatia vs Portugal – 20:45 CET
Speaking of quality, both Croatia and Portugal can be proud of the fact that they have produced some of the best footballers of the current generation and in history. The two teams will duel for first place in Group 1 of League A during the international break.
It is also the final game of the group phase of the 2024/25 Nations League for these two: Croatia plays away in Scotland on Friday and Portugal plays in Poland. Even if both teams lose their matches, a direct game on Monday could still lead to group victory.
Both teams have a similar team structure and have achieved similar successes in recent years: Portugal with the European Championship victory in 2016, Croatia with the silver and bronze medals at the last World Championships.
It will also be a battle of veterans: Cristiano Ronaldo is still active in the Portuguese national team, while Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic lead the Croatians. It is quite likely that both teams will have already made it through to the next round when they meet in Split. Regardless, we look forward to an interesting encounter.
Tuesday, November 19th
Group B1: Czech Republic vs Georgia – 20:45
Back in League B, there could be a duel on equal terms in Group 1 when the Czech Republic hosts European Championship underdogs Georgia in Olomouc on Tuesday. Group B1 is also very close, as the Czechs, Georgia, Albania and Ukraine all still have the opportunity to advance.
On Saturday Albania plays against the Czech Republic and Georgia against Ukraine. Even if they lost at the weekend, both the Czechs and Georgians would still be in the race for promotion to League A.
Related News :