Eight sides advance to UEFA Nations League quarter finalists

The curtain fell on the group stage of the 2024/25 Nations League on Tuesday, with eight League A teams advancing to the quarter-finals.

It may not have the appeal of a high-profile tournament like the European Championship, but UEFA's vision in creating the Nations League has been widely praised by many as an ideal replacement for the many low-key friendlies that have dominated previous international matches.

After Tuesday evening's matches, many teams in the various 'Leagues' have been relegated or promoted and/or will face relegation/promotion play-offs in March.

For teams participating in the competition's top tier, League A, the eight teams that advanced, including group winners: Spain, Germany, France and Portugal, will face the four runners-up in: Italy, Netherlands, Croatia and Denmark with the draw taking place next Friday (November 22) in Nyon.

The group winners will play the second leg of the home/away tie at home, with teams unable to be drawn against teams from the same Nations League group (for example, Portugal cannot play Croatia).

The Nations League quarter-finals will be played on March 20 and 23 next year, with the teams that progress qualifying for the Final Four. These final matches will take place in one of the four participating countries. Spain are the current holders having defeated Croatia in 2023 after a penalty shoot-out in Rotterdam, with Luis de la Fuente's men keen to retain their crown.