Next year’s knockout-style UEFA Nations League semi-finals will see neighbors Italy and Spain lock horns, while the world’s best-ranked team Belgium take on reigning world champions, France following the announcement of the draws on Thursday.
Italy will face Spain on 6 October 2021 at the famous San Siro in Milan for the first semi-final draw, before Belgium takes on France on 7 October 2021 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
After the semi-final ties provide the finalists, there will be a third-place playoff between the two losing sides to decide the tournament’s third-best team.
The third-place final and final proper will both hold on October 10, 2020, in Turin and Milan respectively.
France are unbeaten in this edition of the tournament with five wins and one draw from the group stage.
Italy also holds an unbeaten record with three wins and three draws.
Belgium and Spain on the other endured a defeat each in their respective groups.
Spain narrowly edged Germany to reach the semi-finals, while Belgium outclassed England in the other group.
Despite Italy’s unbeaten run, it is the Spaniards who hold the better head-to-head advantage in terms of previous clashes between both nations.
In 33 meetings, La Roja has won 12 times with the Azzuri winning only 9.
The last time both countries met was back in 2017 when Spain ran out 3-0 victors.
It is Belgium who surprisingly holds the upper hand over France in the other semi-final.
The Red Devils have amassed 30 wins compared to France’s 25, but Les Bleus’ recent record of only two losses in the last 12 clashes between the pair offers plenty of optimism.
This is nice. I can’t wait to watch all the matches