AMSTERDAM – The UEFA Nations League 2022/23 completed its semi finals on Thursday night, to decide two teams in the grand finale on 18th June at De Kuip Stadium.
Spain defeated Italy 2-1 yesterday to grab the second spot in the battle of the championship two days later.
The runner-up in 2021’s event will meet Croatia this Sunday night, hoping to win the title after they qualified for the final for two consecutive seasons.
La Roja had a good start against Italy with an early goal from Yeremy Pino in the third minute, while Gli Azzurri’s striker Ciro Immobile equalised the score through a penalty kick in 11’.
When both teams seemed to drag into extra time with a 1-1 draw, a precious goal from Joselu in the 88th minute secured the Matadors’ victory and sent the Blue Squad home.
Spain Vs Croatia
The final between Spain and Croatia will see a new winner in the third season of the Nations League which was established in 2018.
The Spanish seek their first championship in the last 11 years, trying to recall their golden era in which they won the Euro Cup in 2008 and 2012, as well as the FIFA World Cup 2010.
Meanwhile, the Croatians aim for their first ever international title in national history.
The Checkered Ones already proved their class by finishing the World Cup 2022 as third place and the runner-up of World Cup 2018.
Croatia beat Netherlands 4-2 after extra time on Wednesday, making the host team to be spectators only in the final match.
Upcoming: Euro Qualifiers
With the Nations League ongoing, the European Championship 2024 qualification round will also be played starting this Friday night.
England will visit Malta tonight, expecting an easy job to hail three consecutive wins in Group C.
The Three Lions recruited several top players in the Premier League including Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Declan Rice.
France will visit Gibraltar at the same time, a minor task too to win all the three games and continue to lead Group B.
Les Bleus’ captain Kylian Mbappe still the key man, the Paris Saint-Germain superstar’s performance will be widely focused despite his transfer rumour.
Denmark will face Northern Ireland tonight at home in Group H. Rasmus Hojlund who is currently leading the event’s scoreboard is catching attention as his gossip with Manchester United.
Norway Vs Scotland, Portugal
Norway will play against Scotland in Oslo on Saturday. The Northern European team’s hottest players, Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard will probably work together to help their nation to get their first win in Group A.
However, the Scottish are tough opponents to deal with, as they have Scott McTominay, Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney who are serving Premier League giant clubs.
Portugal will meet Bosnia Herzegovina on Saturday night in Group J. The Nations League winner in 2019, the first season, still featuring Cristiano Ronaldo who teams up with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Joao Felix.