2021 UEFA Nations League draw: Final Four matchups set

The Final Four of the UEFA Nations League will feature two epic clashes, including hosts Italy taking on Spain. Here’s a look at how the teams stack up.

The Final Four of the UEFA Nations League that will be played next year will feature host nation Italy taking on Spain, while defending World Cup champions France meet Belgium in the other semifinal.

Italy will face Spain on Oct. 6 at Milan’s San Siro Stadium, while the France-Belgium match is scheduled for the following day in Turin at the Juventus Stadium.

UEFA said at the draw, which took place Thursday in Lyon, that the final and third-place matchers would be contested on Oct. 10, both in Milan.

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The second edition of the Nations League features four teams that have won a combined seven World Cups. Belgium, who finished third at the last World Cup in 2018, is the only nation in this quartet to have never been crowned champions.

Here’s a look at how the teams stack up in each matchup.

Italy vs. Spain 

The four-time World Cup winners have played Spain 33 times in history. The Italians hold an all-time record of 9-12-12.

The Azzurri last played Spain, who won only one World Cup in 2010, at the European Championship in 2016, winning the match 2-0.

“Spain are a great team,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said following the draw. “They have made some changes in terms of their squad, but they can count on an incredible pool of players in this moment. … So they are rebuilding the team and they are doing it well, just like us.”

One of those players in the Spain pool to watch for is 18-year-old Barcelona striker Ansu Fati. Spain also have veteran talent to guide them, including Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

“What’s certain is that we and Italy have followed a similar, parallel path, in the sense that we are energizing the national teams with young players and, of course, by improving our styles,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique.

France vs. Belgium

Belgium have a better record compared to France when it comes to head-to-head meetings. In 74 games played, Belgium hold a 30-19-25 record.

The neighboring nations last met at the 2018 World Cup semifinals, with Les Bleus posting a 1-0 win en route to the title.

France, winners of two World Cups when taking into account their first title in 1998, are known for quality strikers such as Kylian Mbappe.

Belgium, currently ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, have a very strong squad led by Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.

“On a personal level, I’m really happy to be playing this game in Turin, in a stadium that I know well and where I have a lot of friends and acquaintances,” said France coach Didier Deschamps, who spent part of his club career as both a player and manager with Italian powerhouse Juventus. “It’ll be a great game, which will be hopefully played with a great atmosphere in a stadium full of supporters.”