The UEFA Nations League 2024/25 season has come with an exciting new format, where the top eight teams from League A play each other in two-legged quarter-finals for a place in the prestigious Final Four tournament. These playoffs will ultimately decide which teams advance to the semifinals, scheduled for June 4-8, 2025. The quarter-finals are being played across two legs on March 20 and 23, 2025.
Quarter-Final Matchups and Team Analyses
Netherlands vs Spain
- First Leg: March 20, 2025 – Stadion Feijenoord ‘De Kuip’ , Rotterdam
- Second Leg: March 23, 2025 – Mestalla Stadium, Valencia
Netherlands
The Dutch national team, led by legend Ronald Koeman, remains a force in European international football. They’re known for their structured, attack-minded approach, with the Netherlands a team capable of adapting to various situations. Frenkie de Jong controls the tempo of the game from midfield, while Virgil van Dijk is on hand to anchor the backline. Memphis Depay’s return from injury is a boost, and he will be supported by the likes of Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons in attack.
Spain
Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain continue to embrace a possession-based “tiki-taka” philosophy. The squad features rising stars such as Pedri, complemented by experienced figures like Alvaro Morata. Defensively, Spain are solid, and this gives their attacking unit the chance to wreak havoc at the top of the pitch. The key for Spain in Netherlands vs Spain, bearing in mind this is the first leg, and it’s away from home, will be to break down the home defence while guarding against quick counterattacks.
Croatia vs France
- First Leg: March 20, 2025 – Stadion Poljud, Split
- Second Leg: March 23, 2025 -Stade de France, Paris
Croatia
Croatia, managed by Zlatko Dalic, remain one of the most tactically astute and disciplined teams in Europe. Veteran Luka Modric and fellow central midfielder Mateo Kovacic look to control the game from the middle of the park, with Josko Gvardiol on hand behind them in central defence to keep things tight. Croatia’s main strength lies in their midfield department, and they’re equipped to exploit set-piece situations, which could be crucial in deciding Croatia vs France in Split.
France
Didier Deschamps has built a French team that excels in transition. The team boasts serious talent in their attacking department, like Randal Kolo Muani and Bradley Barcola, and together, they have the ability to blow any team away. The return of N’Golo Kante and Eduardo Camavinga bolsters their midfield, while William Saliba and Jules Kounde in defence give France the robustness required to prevent opposition teams from getting many shots off.
Denmark vs Portugal
- First Leg: March 20, 2025 – Parken Stadium, Copenhagen
- Second Leg: March 23, 2025 – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
Denmark
Brian Riemer, who replaced Kasper Hjulmand as manager of Denmark, has taken control of a well-structured defensive unit that makes use of a highly effective counterattacking approach. Despite being in the latter stages of his career, Christian Eriksen remains crucial in orchestrating Denmark’s attacks. Defenders like Jannik Vestergaard will need to be on hand in Denmark vs Portugal to stop the away team from having any joy in attack.
Portugal
Roberto Martinez is re-imagining the Portugal national team slowly but surely, and they’re looking more and more like a team that wants to get on the ball and dictate proceedings. While there is still some reliance on the more experienced players in the squad, younger talents like Joao Felix and Rafael Leao are coming to the core and adding fresh energy. In defence, Portugal have a blend of experienced stars and younger players, such as Nelson Semedo and Antonio Silva.
Italy vs Germany
- First Leg: March 20, 2025 – San Siro Stadium, Milan
- Second Leg: March 23, 2025 – Signal Induna Park, Dortmund
Italy
Luciano Spalletti has brought tactical flexibility to Italy, creating a blend of defensive discipline and a more attack-minded approach. Nicola Barella and Mateo Retegui provide dynamism in midfield and attack, while Gianluigi Donnarumma remains a reliable presence in goal. Italy’s defensive organisation, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Federico Dimarco operating in defence, will be crucial if Italy vs Germany is to go their way.
Germany
Germany are revitalised under Julian Nagelsmann with their high-intensity pressing system. Despite injury concerns, Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane et al form a lethal attack that can get the better of any defence it happens to come up against. There’s experience in midfield thanks to the likes of Robert Andrich, while the German defence remains anchored by the world-class talent Antonio Rudiger. When you combine all these factors, it’s easy to see why Germany are one of the favourites to win the tournament according to Nations League outright betting.
What Happens Next
The winners of these quarter-finals will advance to the Nations League Finals (June 4-8, 2025). The host nation will be determined based on the results in the quarter-finals, with Germany and Italy likely to be among the candidates if results go their way. However, at this stage, a place in the Nations League Finals is up for grabs for every nation still in the competition due to the quarter-final fixtures being played across home and away legs. These also happen to be the best of the best where the Nations League is concerned, too.
Nations League Predictions
What happens in the quarter-finals of the Nations League probably depends on the players selected to play by their managers. The tournament has been used to blood new and younger players, which could impact how matches play out. While football remains unpredictable, the fact that the Nations League quarter-finals are being played over two legs should make them less so, although there are some excellent matchups.
The Netherlands and Spain will fancy their chances of winning their respective home legs, so this one will probably be decided by who fares best away from home.
You’d expect France to have too much for Croatia, especially with their vast array of young talents. But as wily old foxes, Croatia could still grind out a result.
Like France, Portugal will really fancy their chances against Denmark, but the Danes have been able to upset the apple cart in the past. But it will be tough against the Portuguese, especially away from home.
Italy and Germany are two very similar nations in terms of ability. It will be the most closely contested quarter-final fixture, and the margin for victory will be narrow once both legs have been concluded.
Conclusion
The Nations League quarter-finals promise to be thrilling encounters between League A’s best teams. They’re high-stakes matches across the board, and nations are going to have to show they can perform at home and away from home. That’s what will be crucial in deciding the outcome of these fixtures. Each nation competing in the quarter-finals knows that there’s a place in the Nations League Finals to be played this summer, which is precisely where they want to be. You can expect strong home performances and an attempt to keep it tight away from home, depending on the result from the first leg.
