Top 5 Most Memorable UEFA Nations League Matches

Later this week, the men's UEFA Nations League tournament will begin its fourth edition. The competition's concept has undergone some major adjustments. Prior to that, on Thursday, February 8, the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League draw was held, revealing to teams their opponents in the competition.

Only the four League A group champions had the opportunity to win the competition in prior years since they were automatically qualified to participate in the four-team Finals tournament. The top two finishers in every one of the four League A groups are advancing to the quarterfinals this season, where they will face off against their opponent both at home and away in an attempt to advance to the Finals competition.

Before the fourth edition of the tournament gets underway, let’s take a look at the best matches in the past three versions of the competition.

Here are the top five UEFA Nations League matches : -

5. England 3 - 3 Germany (UEFA Nations League 2022/23)

After Luke Shaw along with Mason Mount launched a comeback from a 2-0 deficit, England were certain to win for the first time in 2022 after Harry Kane, in his 50th game as captain, converted a penalty kick. But with three minutes left, Nick Pope mishandled Serge Gnabry's attempt, and Havertz, who had increased Germany's lead halfway through the second half following Ilkay Gundogan's penalty, was there to tap in the third goal for the side.

4. Netherlands 2 - 3 Italy (UEFA Nations League third-place 2022/23)

Italy defeated the Netherlands 3-2 in Sunday's third-place playoff encounter at the Twente Stadium to take home the consolation bronze medals. Italy led comfortably at halftime thanks to goals from Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi. Around the 68th minute, Steven Bergwijn scored a goal to spark a comeback in the game. After a counterattack in the 73rd minute, Federico Chiesa restored the two-goal advantage for Italy. Georginio Wijnaldum scored a second goal for the Netherlands in the 89th but it was too late for the hosts. 

3. France 1 - 0 Belgium (UEFA Nations League final 2020/21)

Belgium's unsettling run of results continued with a 3-2 loss during the 2021 UEFA Nations League semifinals in Italy. It was their sixth defeat at senior final competitions against their neighbours, France, in five meetings. The Red Devils dominated during the second half in Turin, trailing 2-0 at the interval. Kylian Mbappé's penalty and a Karim Benzema finish levelled the scores, but Theo Hernández's goal in the ninetieth minute sent Didier Deschamps' team to the UEFA Nations League final.

2. Portugal 1-0 Netherlands (UEFA Nations League final 2018/19)

Portugal defeated the Netherlands 1-0 to capture their second continental championship in their history. With a goal at the 60th minute from Goncalo Guedes and an assist from Bernardo Silva, his team won the UEFA Nations League. Since this was the inaugural event, the victors have won the title and £9.2 million in prize money. This was Cristiano Ronaldo's second national trophy and one that he and his fans would celebrate for the longest time possible.

1. Netherlands 2-4 Croatia (UEFA Nations League semi-final 2022/23)

During their UEFA Nations League semi-final on Wednesday in Rotterdam, Croatia defeated the Netherlands 4-2 thanks to two goals in extra time, and they will now play Sunday in the championship match. In extra time, Bruno Petkovic, the substitute, scored a long-range goal prior to Luka Modric's penalty, ending an incredible match in Rotterdam. Normal time had been denied to Croatia earlier by a Noa Lang equaliser in the 96th minute for the Netherlands.