UEFA Nations League group stage: 5 matchups you shouldn’t miss

With the UEFA Nations League back in action starting Thursday, here’s a look at five matchups you shouldn’t miss this year.

The UEFA Nations League returns this week, unleashing a series of tasty matchups over the next three months.

While true that Europe’s national teams have been inactive in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the late summer and fall schedule brings with it the tournament’s group stage. At stake in League A’s four groups is a spot in the semifinals, which will be played next year.

The winner of each group advances to the finals, meaning there will be little room for error across the group stage’s six matchdays.

League A features some of Europe’s best national teams, including defending Nations League champions Portugal, World Cup winners France, World Cup runner-up Croatia and traditional powers such as Germany, Italy, England and the Netherlands.

Here’s a look at five key Nations League group stage matchups you shouldn’t miss.

Germany vs. Spain

The Nations League kicks off Thursday with a wonderful match as Germany host Spain at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart. The game will could set the tone in Group 4 as these two heavyweights battle for the top spot and a semifinal berth.

While Germany will be without much of their Bayern Munich contingent, fresh off winning the Champions League, the four-time World Cup champions have the depth to still field a top squad. Spain, meanwhile, are likely to feature regulars such as David De Gea in goal, defender Sergio Ramos and midfielder Sergio Busquets. As a result, Spain are slight favorites in the first match, but it should be a close encounter.

Depending on how the teams do this fall, the return match, scheduled for the final matchday on Nov. 17, could very well decide who tops the group.

Netherlands vs. Italy

The Dutch and Italians are both favorites to win Group 1. The teams will first meet this coming Monday at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam. Both nations, still rebuilding after missing out on the 2018 World Cup, will use the Nations League to test players ahead of World Cup qualifying.

While the Dutch can rely on some veterans, the call up of young superstars such as PSV Eindhoven midfielder Mohamed Ihattaren and AZ Alkmaar left back Owen Wijndal demonstrates just how young this roster is heading into the tournament. Both these players could earn their first caps this month. Italy, meanwhile, are rebuilt under coach Roberto Mancini. The Azzurri also have a veteran core, but the first-time call ups of Inter defender Bastoni and Sassuolo duo Manuel Locatelli and Francesco Caputo also means Mancini is hoping to experiment with his lineup.

The sides do battle for a second time on matchday 4, scheduled for Oct. 14 at the famed San Siro Stadium in Milan.

France vs. Croatia

A rematch of the 2018 World Cup final is one of the most-anticipated matchups of this edition of the Nations League. France won that encounter 4-2 to capture the World Cup, but it was Croatia’s Cinderella run at that tournament that delighted fans across the world.

The French are stacked with talent and the favorites to win Group 3, despite missing out on Paul Pogba who recently contracted the coronavirus. Croatia, meanwhile, are out to prove they are no fluke and Luka Modric and his teammates will need to show that they have some staying power.

The teams square off this coming Tuesday during matchday 2 at the Stade de France in St. Denis, just outside Paris, and a second time on Oct. 14 in Zagreb on matchday 4.

France vs. Portugal

The World Cup champions and the defending Nations League winners also square off twice in Group 3.

Portugal are led by Cristiano Ronaldo, but also feature a core of up-and-coming players such as 20-year-old striker Joao Felix. With France and Croatia also looking to advance to the semifinals, this is easily the toughest group in the tournament. Ironically, these two nations are also in the same group at next summer’s European Championship.

The teams meet in the Nations League on  Oct. 11 at the Stade de France on matchday 3 and again on matchday 5 scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, site of last month’s Champions League final.

England vs. Belgium

Following their twin encounter at the 2018 World Cup (including the third-place match won by Belgium), these two powerhouses will meet again in Group 2.

England are looking to win the group and capture the trophy, which would end a trophy drought dating back to the 1966 World Cup won on home soil. Belgium, however, are one of Europe’s best teams at the moment. They are led by striker Romelu Lukaku, who is coming off a great season at Inter Milan.

The Three Lions host Belgium on Oct. 11 at London’s Wembley Stadium during matchday 3. England travel to Brussels on Nov. 15 for matchday 5.