All eyes in League A of the Nations League are on the two big matches in Brussels and Madrid scheduled for Sunday (Nov. 15). Belgium hosts Italy in a match with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line, while Spain takes on England in a showdown that will decide first place in Group 3. Meanwhile, crucial battles for final standings are also taking place in League C, with Albania’s match against Belarus standing out.
The “Red Devils” host Italy in a match that could determine qualification for the Nations League quarterfinals. Italy and France are tied at the top of Group 1 with 10 points, while Belgium trails by one point, having earned nine. Turkey sits in last place with no points.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Italy is in the best position to advance, as it only needs to avoid defeat in Brussels. In fact, it can secure first place if it beats Belgium or if it draws and France fails to beat Turkey. For the hosts, the situation is clearer: they need a win to secure qualification; otherwise, their fate will also depend on the outcome of France’s match. The “Tricolors,” for their part, will advance as long as they avoid defeat against Turkey or if Belgium fails to beat Italy, in a match where Kylian Mbappé’s participation is in doubt.
Equally important is the showdown between Spain and England, with both teams having already secured their spots in the quarterfinals from Group C. Spain sits in first place with 15 points, having won all five of its matches, while England follows with 12. This head-to-head matchup will decide the top spot, with Spain needing just one point to remain in first place. England, on the other hand, needs nothing less than a win to overtake the leaders and finish the League Phase at the top.
In the group’s other match, Croatia faces the Czech Republic, with the Croatians holding the edge for third place. They have three points and need at least a draw to maintain that position, while the Czech Republic remains winless and will be seeking its first victory in the tournament.
In League C, the standout matchup is between Albania and Belarus for first place in Group 1. Stavros Pilios’s team is in first place with 12 points, two more than Belarus, and a win or a draw will secure first place and promotion to League B. Belarus needs a win in the match between the two teams to turn the tables. In the other match, Finland, with seven points, hosts San Marino, which has yet to earn a single point.
In Group 2, Armenia, with five points, faces Latvia, which sits in last place with one point, as both teams aim to end their group stage on the best possible note.
Sunday’s (11/15) schedule for the Nations League:
League A
Group
1: Belgium vs. Italy 9:45
p.m. France vs. Turkey 9:45 p.m.
Group
3: Croatia vs. Czech Republic at 9:45
p.m.; Spain vs. England at 9:45 p.m.
Standings:
Group
1: France 10 (8-5)
, Belgium 9 (8-6)
, Italy 7 (8-5)
, Turkey 0 (2-10)
Group
3: England 12 (16-4)
, Spain 12 (13-6)
, Croatia 6 (6-15)
, Czech Republic 0 (2-12)
League C
Group
1: Belarus vs. Albania 7:00
PM Finland vs. San Marino 7:00 PM
Group
2: Cyprus vs. Montenegro 4:00
PM; Latvia vs. Armenia 4:00 PM
Standings
League C
Group
1: Albania 12 (10-3)
, Belarus 10 (7-2)
, Finland 7 (9-4)
, San Marino 0 (1-18)
Group
2 Montenegro 13 (9-5)
Cyprus 8 (6-4)
Armenia 5 (5-6)
Latvia 1 (3-8)
