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NATIONS LEAGUE

Three places still to play for at Nations League 'Final Four'

France are the only nation guaranteed a place at the 20/21 Final Four with one round of group games outstanding and three spaces on the line.

Nations League

The Final Four of the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League will take place in October of next year but with one round of group stage fixtures to go, France are the only nation to have mathematically qualified for the semi-finals.

Les Bleus sealed their passage to the Final Four after handing defending Nations League champions Portugal a rare defeat on Saturday, winning 1-0 in Lisbon with N'Golo Kante's second-half strike to reach the competition's final four at the expense of the holders.

With one game outstanding in League A-Group 3, Deschamps' side can afford to lose at home to Sweden given a superior head-to-head over Portugal who trail the French by three points.

League A - Group 1

Things are wide open in Group 1 with three nations still in with a chance of progressing with Italy in pole position on nine points following their 2-0 home win over Poland on Sunday night. The 'Azurri' face the already relegated Bosnia away next week with a win guaranteeing a position in the Final Four. A slip-up for Mancini's men could let in either Netherlands (8 points) or Poland (on 7 points) who meet on Wednesday with the victor advancing should Italy mess it up.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 1 - Italy v Poland - Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia, Italy - November 15, 2020 Italy's Jorginho scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
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Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 1 - Italy v Poland - Mapei Stadium - Citta del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia, Italy - November 15, 2020 Italy's Jorginho scores their first goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Alberto LingriaALBERTO LINGRIAREUTERS

League A - Group 2

Belgium were on the cusp of celebrating qualification to the Final Four after beating England until an injury-time penalty for Denmark, despatched by Inter Milan's Eriksen in the 92nd minute to bag a 2-1 win over Iceland meant that things in the group will go to the wire.

Belgium entertain the Dane's at home on Wednesday with a win or draw sufficient for Roberto Martinez's Red Devils to progress but a slip-up and defeat would see Denmark advance. England are out of the running and it's Iceland who drop down to League B.

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium v Switzerland - Den Dreef, Leuven, Belgium - November 11, 2020 Belgium coach Roberto Martinez REUTERS/Johanna Geron
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Soccer Football - International Friendly - Belgium v Switzerland - Den Dreef, Leuven, Belgium - November 11, 2020 Belgium coach Roberto Martinez REUTERS/Johanna GeronJOHANNA GERONREUTERS

League A - Group 4

Group 4 also will be decided by the final game as Germany face Spain in Seville with a draw or win sufficient for Low's side to progress. 'La Roja' are still ruing two missed penalty kicks by captain Sergio Ramos as they could only muster a 1-1 draw away to Switzerland on Saturday.

14 November 2020, Saxony, Leipzig: Football: Nations League A, Group stage, Group 4, Matchday 5, Germany - Ukraine in the Red Bull Arena. Timo Werner of Germany cheers after his goal for 3-1 with Serge Gnabry (l).
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14 November 2020, Saxony, Leipzig: Football: Nations League A, Group stage, Group 4, Matchday 5, Germany - Ukraine in the Red Bull Arena. Timo Werner of Germany cheers after his goal for 3-1 with Serge Gnabry (l).Robert MichaelGTRES

At present it's still yet to be confirmed who will host the October games with UEFA expected to announce a host nation shortly with the host country to be selected from one of the four finalists. On 24 September 2020, UEFA announced that Italy, the Netherlands and Poland had declared interest in hosting the tournament.