Having got the first four matchdays out of the way in June – it was, undeniably, a bit of a slog – the UEFA Nations League is back over the coming days for the final two rounds of 2022/23 league-phase fixtures.
France facing relegation, Danes and Dutch close to finals
After Scotland kicked things off with a 3-0 Group B1 win over Ukraine on Wednesday, the tournament’s top tier, League A, returns on Thursday – with holders France in a battle to avoid the drop.
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The world champions, who defeated Spain to lift their first Nations League title last October, will be relegate to League B if they lose at home to Austria in Group A1. In the section’s other game on Thursday, Denmark can book their place in next June’s finals if they beat Croatia in Zagreb.
In Group A4, Netherlands are also on the brink of qualifying for the last four. Runners-up in 2018/19, the Oranje will clinch their second finals appearance if they defeat Poland and Belgium fail to win against Wales, or if the Dutch draw and the Belgians lose.
At the other end of Group A4, the Welsh will be relegated to League B if they lose to Belgium and Poland avoid defeat against the Netherlands, or if Rob Page’s men draw and the Poles win in Warsaw.
Kazakhstan go up, Turkey and Latvia on brink
Lower down the divisions, Turkey will be go up to League B if they win or draw against Luxembourg in Group C1, and in a 10am ET kick-off in Group C3, Kazakhstan secured promotion by beating Belarus 2-1 in Astana. In Group D1, Latvia will claim a spot in League C if they avoid defeat against Moldova.
If you’re outside the US, you can find out which broadcaster is showing the Nations League where you are on this UEFA list.
International friendlies
Thursday also offers up a sprinkling of international friendlies, none of which are likely to particularly accelerate the neutral’s pulse.
In one of the earlier kick-offs, an Awer Mabil goal have Australia a 1-0 win over neighbours New Zealand in Brisbane, while in the day’s other most notable friendly, Iceland take on Venezuela in Austria.