UEFA Nations League – Inside World Football

Hero to zero. Wales fire Rob Page after series of poor results

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 20:00:23 +0000

June 24 – The Football Association of Wales has terminated head coach Rob Page’s contract following the country’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024.

Page had more than two years left on the contract he signed in September 2022 after guiding Wales to their first World Cup since 1958. He spent a total of four years in charge, initially being given the role on an interim basis in November 2020 after taking over from Ryan Giggs.

Luis de la Fuente says Nations League is the start of new era

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 14:36:28 +0000

June 19 – Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has said his team’s Nations League victory, the first international title in a decade, could prompt more Spain triumphs in the future.

In a tight, hard-fought final, the Spanish edged Croatia on penalties to win the competition for the first time, adding to their Euro 2012 conquest, a tournament that marked the end of Spain’s best generation which lead by Andres Iniesta and Xavi had also won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Spain return to top of Europe with penalty shoot out win over Croatia

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 01:34:18 +0000

By Samindra Kunti in Rotterdam

June 19 – Spain won the Nations League for the first time, 5-4 on penalties, to add to their trophy cabinet and break Croatian hearts.

Croatia’s golden generation remain without a major trophy in international football.

In a high-intensity game, embodied by Luka Modric who kept covering ground until the very last minute after a long season, Spain edged their opponents from the penalty spot after a goalless 90 minutes and extra time.

Italians cruise past Dutch for Nations League third place

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:10:19 +0000

June 18 – The Netherlands are no match for the European elite. After shipping four goals against Croatia in the last four, the Nations League hosts also lost the third-place match 3-2 against Italy.

The Dutch rallied after a dramatic first half, conceding twice in the first 20 minutes, but there was no coming back when Federico Chiesa restored Italy’s two-goal advantage on the counter in the 73rd minute and the Azzurri claimed third place.

Croatia eye-up first major title, Spain hunt return to winning elite

Paul Nicholson — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 23:30:05 +0000

By Samindra Kunti in Rotterdam

June 17 – On Sunday, the third edition of the Nations League will reach its climax with both finalists Spain and Croatia seeking the win the tournament for the first time.

For the Croatians there is even more at stake: a win would represent their first-ever prize in the international game and a coronation for their golden generation.

If the last meeting between the two sides is anything to go by,

De la Fuente says the ‘process’ is working as Croatia final nears

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 07:38:21 +0000

June 16 – Luis de la Fuente said he felt vindicated by Spain’s Nations League semi-final win against Italy after a stuttering start to his tenure.

An internal appointment, Spain’s new manager De la Fuente succeeded Luis Enrique who departed after Spain’s second-round exit from the World Cup, but his reign got off to a slow start with a defeat in March’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Scotland after a 3-0 win against Norway.

Perisic says Croatia’s advantage is they have beaten Spain before

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 04:02:05 +0000

June 18 – Ivan Perisic has said that Croatia have nothing to fear because of their experience against Spain.

In the semi-finals of the final four, the Croatians eliminated hosts the Netherlands with a spectacular 4-2 extra-time win and they relish the opportunity to claim silverware for the first time, having reached the last four of the World Cup on three occasions.

“We have nothing to fear,” said Perisic at a news conference.

Spain fear Modric and extra time, but nothing else

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 03:50:11 +0000

June 17 – Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said that facing Luka Modric alarms Spain, but that his team as well as midfielder Rodri are at their best to encounter Croatia.

in the final of the Nations League after a long season, even if he wants to avoid extra-time against a team that excels at navigating long battles.

“Modric puts us on alert, but not only him,” said De la Fuente at a news conference.

Mancini says no player change needed after Spanish defeat

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:35:17 +0000

June 15 – Italy coach Roberto Mancini denied that he needs to bring in the next generation of players faster following his team’s 2-1 defeat in the semi-finals of the Nations League.

Spain repeated their 2-1 victory of the last-four encounter in the 2021 Nations League with a strong second-half display and Mancini was gracious enough to acknowledge La Roja’s superiority.

His gamble to play a 3-5-2 formation backfired: the Italians were completely overwhelmed by Spain’s constant waves of attacks toward the end of the match which resulted in Joselu’s 88th-minute winner.

Spain edge Italy to set up final with Croatia

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:21:27 +0000

By Samindra Kunti in Enschede

June 15 – Spain reached their second consecutive Nations League final with a late strike from Joselu to defeat Italy 2-1 in an absorbing semi-final.

Italy and Spain began where Wednesday’s last-four encounter had left off – with some madcap, box-to-box action – as well as some late drama – to decide a thrilling second Nations League semi-final.

The Italians fell behind in the 3rd minute when Leonardo Bonucci,

The post Spain edge Italy to set up final with Croatia appeared first on Inside World Football.

Modric masterclass fuels Croatian championship dream

Paul Nicholson — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:02:26 +0000

June 15 – Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic singled out Luka Modric after his man-of-the-match performance in a 4-2 extra-time victory against the Netherlands in the Nations League.

Even his Dutch counterpart Ronald Koeman could not refrain from praising the midfielder.

On Wednesday, Modric provided a masterclass, educating a youthful-looking Dutch team on how to play the beautiful game with smooth passes, great flicks and an intensity that defied his age. The midfielder was also lethal in the final third,

Koeman says Dutch need to step up after Croatia loss

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 23:31:33 +0000

June 15 – Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has said that his side will need to “take steps” following their 4-2 defeat against Croatia.

In the final minutes of the match, the hosts threw everything forward and Noa Lang grabbed a last-gap leveller, but goals from Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric in extra time ensured the Croatians will play Sunday’s final against Spain or Italy. The Dutch were left to lament what could have been,

Never say die Croatians stun the Netherlands in extra time

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 12:01:07 +0000

By Samindra Kunti in Rotterdam

June 14 – Croatia never do things the easy way, but they do enough and did so again to stun the Dutch with a 4-2 extra time win.

Extra-time goals from Bruno Petkovic and Luka Modric propelled the East Europeans to their first-ever Nations League final against the Netherlands.

The hosts found Croatia’s resilience out the hard way. They had been warned –

Spain look to write a new chapter; Italy want to get back on track

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:59:22 +0000

June 15 – Spain and Italy will renew their rivalry tonight in the second semi-final of the Nations League Finals.

Both sides seeking to put recent disappointments behind them.

Spain’s coach Luis de la Fuente goes into the encounter under pressure after Spain stuttered in the Euro 2024 qualifiers in March with a surprise 2-0 defeat at the hands of Scotland.

“Game after game, we will move closer to the style and image we want to see,

Veteran Bonucci’s Italian call up giving him a new lease of life

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 10:58:14 +0000

June 14 – Italy veteran Leonardo Bonucci has called playing for his national team “like oxygen”.

He also questioned whether he was still “a great player” following a troubled domestic season at Juventus.

The Turin club endured a dramatic season with an early Champions League exit, points deduction, and a boardroom exodus, and the 36-year-old defender did not fare much better featuring in just nine Serie A matches, but he believes the national team can provide him with a safe haven from the problems at Juventus.

Alba’s return for Spain fortifies title ambition

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 00:09:34 +0000

June 14 – Spain oozed confidence ahead of their semi-final against Italy with Champions League winner Rodri reinforcing the squad and Jordi Alba returning.

The defender has featured more than 400 times in 11 seasons for FC Barcelona, winning the 2015 Champions League, but was released by the Catalan club at the end of the season. He was also dropped from the Spain squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers in March, but he returns for the Nations League Finals,