UEFA Nations League Semi-Finals Preview: Germany vs Portugal, Spain vs France

On Wednesday, hosts Germany meet 2019 winners Portugal at the Allianz Arena, followed by a heavyweight clash between defending champions Spain and 2021 winners France at the MHP Arena on Thursday.

With four former international tournament winners in the mix, this year’s Final Four might be the most stacked yet.

Germany vs Portugal (Wednesday 4 June, Allianz Arena – Munich)

Germany win: 1.92 | Draw: 3.70 | Portugal win: 4.00

Germany’s revival under Julian Nagelsmann continues into uncharted territory as Die Mannschaft prepare for their first ever UEFA Nations League semi-final. After a thrilling 5-4 aggregate win over Italy in the quarter-finals, they return to home soil in Munich full of confidence, despite a long list of injury absentees.

Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger and Jamal Musiala are all sidelined, leaving Ter Stegen to take the gloves and Stuttgart’s breakout striker Nick Woltemade in line to lead the line. Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sané and Pascal Groß will be key creators, but questions remain over whether Germany can balance defensive fragility with attacking flair.

Portugal know what it takes to win this competition, having lifted the trophy in 2019. Roberto Martínez’s side edged Denmark 5-2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals and arrive with Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line at 40 years old. The supporting cast includes Rafael Leão, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, while João Neves and Nuno Mendes are fitness doubts after weekend UCL final duties.

The two sides last met at Euro 2020, also at this venue, where Germany ran out 4-2 winners. Will history repeat itself, or can Portugal’s mix of youth and experience spring a surprise?

Germany predicted XI: Ter Stegen; Kimmich, Tah, Anton, Mittelstädt; Groß, Goretzka; Sané, Wirtz, Gnabry; WoltemadePortugal predicted XI: Diogo Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inácio, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Fernandes; Silva, Ronaldo, Leão

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Spain vs France (Thursday 5 June, MHP Arena – Stuttgart)

Spain win: 2.50 | Draw: 3.20 | France win: 3.05

A rematch of last summer’s Euro 2024 semi-final sees reigning Nations League and European champions Spain take on 2021 winners France.

Spain, unbeaten in 18 matches, came through a chaotic 5-5 aggregate quarter-final win over the Netherlands. La Roja’s young stars, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Pedri, will again be central to their high-pressing, fluid attacking style. Rodri and Ferran Torres miss out, but Luis de la Fuente’s side have shown they can handle big occasions, especially against Les Bleus.

France needed penalties to edge past Croatia in the last round, and arrive in Stuttgart with defensive issues. William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Jules Koundé are all out, while several players featured in the UCL final just four days prior. Michael Olise and Randal Kolo Muani could play prominent roles, but the spotlight will – as always – be on Kylian Mbappé to deliver.

Spain beat France 2-1 in the Euro 2024 semis, while the French won the last Nations League final in 2021. With so much attacking talent on display, expect fireworks.

Spain predicted XI: Unai Simón; Mingueza, Cubarsí, Huijsen, Cucurella; Pedri, Ruíz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Morata

France predicted XI: Maignan; Gusto, Konaté, Hernandez, Digne; Tchouaméni, Koné, Rabiot; Olise, Mbappé, Kolo Muani

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