The Nations League reaches its decisive phase with semifinals promising excitement and top-tier rivalry. Germany, Portugal, Spain, and France have secured their spots in the Final Four after intense quarterfinal clashes, many decided in extra time or penalties. Scheduled for the first week of June, the tournament will take place on German soil, with Allianz Arena in Munich and MHParena in Stuttgart hosting the showdowns. The competition, featuring some of Europe’s elite national teams, will conclude with the final on June 8, while the losers will compete for third place.
The semifinal matchups pit teams with rich histories and recent standout moments against each other. Germany and Portugal kick off the action on June 4, in a clash blending the hosts’ collective strength with the individual brilliance of the Portuguese, led by stars like Cristiano Ronaldo. The following day, Spain and France face off in a classic encounter, pitting the reigning Nations League and Euro champions against a team seeking redemption after dramatic quarterfinal turnarounds.
With single-elimination games determining the finalists, anticipation builds for tightly contested battles that could go down to the wire. Germany, hosting the event, emerges as a favorite on home turf, but they face opponents who’ve shown resilience and technical prowess in earlier rounds. The matchup details, team highlights, and journey so far paint a picture of a tournament poised to crown a new chapter in European football.
#NationsLeague 1/4-Finale & Play-offs.
pic.twitter.com/qT1KGdtNWU
— UEFA Nations League DE (@EURO2024DE) March 23, 2025
Journey to the semifinals showcases balance and drama
The Nations League quarterfinals delivered twists and nail-biting finishes. Spain, the defending champions, faced the Netherlands in two thrilling encounters. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the second ended 3-3, with Spain advancing 5-4 on penalties. Lamine Yamal, the team’s young star, shone brightly, proving why he’s hailed as one of football’s brightest prospects. The aggregate score stood at 5-5, but Spain’s precision in the shootout sealed their fate.
France, meanwhile, staged a remarkable comeback. Down 2-0 to Croatia in the first leg, Kylian Mbappé’s squad turned it around with a 2-0 win in the return match. The 2-2 aggregate led to penalties, where France prevailed 5-4, with Ousmane Dembélé standing out. This resilience rekindles hope for a title that has eluded them in recent editions.
Portugal and Germany also faced their share of hurdles. The Portuguese fell 1-0 to Denmark in the first leg but roared back with a 5-2 extra-time victory in the second, advancing 5-3 on aggregate. Germany, meanwhile, beat Italy 2-1 away and held on for a 3-3 draw at home, progressing 5-4 overall. These outcomes highlight the fierce competition awaiting the semifinals.
- Germany 5-4 Italy (2-1 away, 3-3 home)
- Spain 5-5 Netherlands (2-2 away, 3-3 home, 5-4 on penalties)
- Portugal 5-3 Denmark (0-1 away, 5-2 home)
- France 2-2 Croatia (0-2 away, 2-0 home, 5-4 on penalties)
Germany vs. Portugal: clash of styles at Allianz Arena
The first semifinal, set for June 4 at Allianz Arena, pits Germany against Portugal in a matchup blending tradition and renewal. The Germans, hosting the Final Four, rely on a robust team game, with young talents like Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala shining alongside veterans like Joshua Kimmich. Unbeaten at home in recent official matches, they carry a slight edge as hosts.
Portugal counters with a mix of experience and flair. Cristiano Ronaldo, even late in his career, remains a linchpin, while Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leão add creativity up front. Their extra-time rout of Denmark showcased their ability to rally, fueling their bid for a second Nations League title after 2019.
Recent history between the two suggests parity. Germany triumphed 4-2 in a memorable Euro 2021 clash, but Portugal has prevailed in past meetings, like the 2006 World Cup. The game promises a tactical chess match, with Germany leaning on possession and Portugal exploiting rapid transitions.
Spain vs. France: champions’ showdown in Stuttgart
On June 5, MHParena in Stuttgart hosts Spain and France in a duel of European heavyweights. Spain, reigning Nations League and Euro champions, are hitting their stride under Luis de la Fuente. With a youthful, gifted squad led by Pedri and Lamine Yamal, their cohesive, engaging style has impressed.
France, runners-up at the 2022 World Cup, aims to reclaim dominance. After a shaky Euro quarterfinal exit and uneven qualifiers, they lean on Mbappé’s form and the return of veterans like Antoine Griezmann. Their penalty shootout win over Croatia signals potential to peak at clutch moments.
This matchup carries weight. In the 2021 Nations League final, France edged Spain 2-1, with Karim Benzema scoring the winner. Now, Spain seeks revenge, while France aims to reassert its might. Technical and tactical parity should make for a high-octane contest.
Does home advantage tip the scales for Germany?
Playing on home soil could be Germany’s ace in the Final Four. Allianz Arena, with over 70,000 seats, will host the Portugal clash and potentially the final. The German crowd, renowned for turning venues into cauldrons, is a weapon the team wields well. In the 2006 World Cup, they reached the semifinals buoyed by local support.
Under Julian Nagelsmann, Germany shows signs of resurgence. After years of flux, the squad blends youth and experience, posting steady results. The 3-3 draw with Italy in the quarterfinal return leg drew defensive flak but underscored their attacking flair.
Opponents face the task of neutralizing this edge. Portugal, Spain, and France have thrived in hostile settings, with rosters seasoned in big-stage battles. Their know-how from Euros and World Cups could level the field, though Germany holds a psychological boost at home.
Young stars light up the tournament
The Nations League has spotlighted young talents already making waves. Spain’s Lamine Yamal, just 17, is a standout. His speed and skill dazzled against the Netherlands, especially in the shootout. Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz form a dynamic duo, blending finesse and vision to fuel their campaign.
Portugal’s Rafael Leão erupted in the Denmark comeback, netting twice in extra time. France’s Warren Zaïre-Emery, 19, is carving a role alongside Mbappé, displaying maturity beyond his years. These players aren’t just prospects—they’re pivotal, signaling a bright future for European football.
Their influence transcends stats. They inject unpredictability and vigor, testing seasoned defenses and deciding key moments. The semifinals offer another stage for them to shine and potentially shape the trophy’s fate.
Official semifinal schedule
The Final Four’s dates and venues are set, all in Germany. Here’s the lineup:
- June 4: Germany vs. Portugal – Allianz Arena, Munich, 2:45 PM (Brasília time)
- June 5: Spain vs. France – MHParena, Stuttgart, 2:45 PM (Brasília time)
- June 8: Third-place playoff – Venue TBD, 11:00 AM (Brasília time)
- June 8: Final – Allianz Arena, Munich, 2:45 PM (Brasília time)
Times align with Brasília’s timezone, and matches are knockout-style, with extra time and penalties if tied. Germany’s top-notch infrastructure and football passion promise packed stands and an electric vibe.
Nations League history favors Portugal and Spain
Launched by UEFA in 2018, the Nations League has a brief but impactful legacy. Portugal claimed the inaugural title in 2019, beating the Netherlands 1-0. France won in 2021, edging Spain 2-1. In 2023, Spain triumphed over Croatia on penalties, cementing their recent European dominance.
Germany, despite its pedigree, has yet to reach a final in the competition. This heightens the stakes for the hosts, who see the Final Four as a shot to end that drought before their fans. Among the semifinalists, only Portugal and Spain have hoisted the trophy, giving them an edge in late-stage experience.
The semifinals feature four World Cup winners—Germany (4 titles), France (2), Spain (1), and Portugal (none, but Euro 2016 champs). This wealth of history and talent underscores the unpredictability, where every detail could prove decisive.
What to expect from the German showdowns
The Nations League semifinals promise gripping, tactical battles. Germany vs. Portugal pits the hosts’ structure against Portugal’s individual flair. Ball possession will be contested, with Germany aiming to dictate tempo and Portugal thriving on swift counters. Spain vs. France offers a style clash: Spain’s passing game versus France’s directness, with both relying on star power to tip the scales.
The German crowd will amplify the stakes, especially at Allianz Arena, where pressure on visitors intensifies. Yet, the three away teams boast players seasoned on grand stages, balancing the odds. Given the quarterfinals’ drama, set pieces or shootouts could again decide the outcome.
Managers will be key. Julian Nagelsmann (Germany), Roberto Martínez (Portugal), Luis de la Fuente (Spain), and Didier Deschamps (France) bring distinct approaches—from Germany’s intensity to France’s pragmatism. Their tactics and substitutions could chart the path to the June 8 final.
Final Four fun facts
The Nations League offers unique moments and stats that enrich the event. Check out these tidbits:
- Spain is the only semifinalist to win both the Nations League and Euro in the same cycle (2021-2024).
- Germany and Portugal have met in three of the last five major tournaments (2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, Euro 2021).
- France has scored in every game this edition, with Mbappé topping the semifinalists’ goal charts.
- Allianz Arena has hosted iconic finals, like the 2012 Champions League, won by Chelsea on penalties over Bayern.
These nuggets blend tradition and renewal, with each team weaving its story on German turf.
Final stretch fuels title buzz
With Germany hosting, the Nations League hits its most anticipated phase. The semifinals unite elite rosters, rising stars, and top coaches, all chasing a trophy that’s gained heft in Europe’s calendar. Historic rivalries and quarterfinal drama hint at games fought to the finish.
Spain enters as the form team, but Germany, Portugal, and France have cases to claim the crown. Home advantage may sway things, yet the technical depth and experience of their foes keep the outcome wide open. The countdown to June 4 is on, with European football set to deliver a spectacle in Munich and Stuttgart.
The clashes also double as a tune-up for future events like the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. For fans, it’s a chance to see stars shine and teams vie for glory in a tournament now entrenched as one of the continent’s fiercest.
