New Delhi: As the international break resumes, France, Italy, and Portugal have emerged as the big teams closing in on securing a spot in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. Despite a promising start to Lee Carsley’s stint as interim manager of England, the team have had multiple withdrawals from the squad after having won three games and lost once so far in the tournament.
Germany, along with the Euro 2024 Champion, have already qualified for the quarter-finals, with all the other teams fighting for the six remaining in the coming week as the final two matches of the group. Both Italy and Portugal have been unbeaten in the tournament and just require a single point to advance to the final eight.
When France takes on Israel, the hosts in Paris are miles ahead on the points table than their opponents. Israel hasn’t won a single game in the campaign so far. The game will have a large police presence due to the tensions over the visiting side after Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters were heckled in Amsterdam. Israel has already urged its players to avoid the game after noting a rise in anti-Semitism feelings.
How teams are lining up for the Nations League
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) November 12, 2024
France defender Dayot Upamecano recently commented on the game and noted that people are concerned about attending the game and wish for peace to prevail. His team’s captain, Kylian Mbappe, is missing from the French squad for the second consecutive time in the Nations League after coach Didier Deschamps insisted that the 25-year-old’s absence is in the best interest.
The Real Madrid star had to miss out on playing in the Nations League last month after sustaining a minor thigh injury. He had taken a short break to Stockholm for recovery. After his return, Swedish media reported an alleged rape investigation involving Mbappe. Mbappe and his lawyer both called the news fake and said they would hold the media outlets for libel.
A Swedish prosecutor had confirmed about the ongoing investigation but had not named Mbappe. Deschamps recently had said that Mbappe’s exclusion wasn’t due to off-field allegations as they were to prove him as guilty and that Mbappe had wanted to be part of the team.
After facing Israel at home, France will take on Group A leaders on Sunday in Milan, who will be coming from Belgium and can qualify for the final eight if they manage to stay undefeated. Portugal will first host Poland and then will play Croatia in their background in a Group A1 clash where Scotland are at the bottom of the table, having managed only a single point from four matches.
England’s withdrawal woes
Hard work continues 💯 pic.twitter.com/P5QyDvlGJN
— England (@England) November 12, 2024
For England, they have to beat Greece in order to stay in contention for promotion to the top tier. However, it will be a challenge as Greece remains the only team in the top tier with wins in all four games and had defeated England at Wembley. It will be Carley’s final assignment with the Three Lions, with Thomas Tuchel taking over after this.
However, he has to face the big challenge without eight of his key players, including Phil Foden, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Aaron Ramsdale, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Levi Colwill. Georgia are at the cusp of becoming the first team in Nations League to be promoted from League D to League A. They will need to just beat Ukrain and Czech Republic in Group B1.
San Marino have got their first competitive win in September, and a win against Gibraltar would mean a promotion to League C. For the teams who will finish third in League A and second in League B will be playing each other in relegation and promotion playoffs as will Leagues B and C.
The tournament also has implications for World Cup qualifying, with the 12 group winners in European qualifying going to the World Cup. Another four places will go to the winners of the play-offs, which will feature 12 runners-up along with the four highest-ranked teams in the Nations League who couldn’t make it in other circumstances.
Here’s how the teams in the UEFA Nations League look as they head into matchday five and six. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
