{"id":40266,"date":"2025-03-21T00:27:00","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T23:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weisetech.dev\/fc-barcelona-noticias\/en\/germany-and-spain-closer-to-semis-france-on-ropes-in-nations-league_311632_102\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T00:58:00","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T23:58:00","slug":"germany-and-spain-closer-to-semis-france-on-ropes-in-nations-league_311632_102","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com\/en\/football\/germany-and-spain-closer-to-semis-france-on-ropes-in-nations-league_311632_102.html","title":{"rendered":"Germany and Spain, closer to the ‘semis’; France, on the ropes in the Nations League"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League concluded this Thursday with shocking results<\/h2> \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n Calendar of FC Barcelona <\/a>\r\n<\/div>

The UEFA Nations League is starting to have a fairly clear picture regarding three of the four possible qualifiers for the ‘final four’. The results from Thursday put Germany, Croatia, and Spain well positioned for qualification, although La Roja could only salvage a draw as visitors against the Netherlands (2-2)<\/a>. France, on the other hand, was the big loser of the day alongside Portugal.<\/p>

Spain survived Rotterdam and will seek qualification in Mestalla<\/h2>

In Rotterdam, the national team took an early lead thanks to a stunning goal from Nico Williams in the 9th minute. However, Ronald Koeman’s team reacted after the first quarter of an hour, and Cody Gakpo equalized the score in the 28th minute. No sooner had the second half started, Tijjani Reijnders put the ‘Orange’ ahead, but Spain, already without the injured Pau Cubars\u00ed (the center-back left due to an ankle injury in the 40th minute)<\/a>, woke up in the final stretch and managed to equalize in the 90+3rd minute, thanks to a goal from Mikel Merino.<\/p>

The Arsenal midfielder took advantage of a rebound from goalkeeper Verbruggen, following a shot from the side by Nico Williams, to finish comfortably against a Dutch defense weakened by the expulsion of Jorrel Hato in the second half. The return leg will be played next Sunday in Mestalla, with Spain as the clear favorite after an unbeaten streak of 22 matches with Luis de la Fuente on the bench<\/strong>.<\/p>