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2018–19 UEFA Nations League A

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2018–19 UEFA Nations League A
Tournament details
DatesLeague phase:
6 September – 20 November 2018
Nations League Finals:
5–9 June 2019
Teams12
Final positions
Champions Portugal (1st title)
Runners-up Netherlands
Third place England
Fourth place  Switzerland
Tournament statistics
Matches played28
Goals scored81 (2.89 per match)
Attendance1,143,530 (40,840 per match)
Top scorer(s)Switzerland Haris Seferovic (5 goals)

The 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A was the top division of the 2018–19 edition of the UEFA Nations League, the inaugural season of the international football competition involving the men's national teams of the 55 member associations of UEFA.[1] League A culminated with the Nations League Finals in June 2019, which crowned Portugal as the inaugural champions of the UEFA Nations League.

Format

[edit]

League A consisted of the top 12 ranked UEFA members, split into four groups of three. The winners of each group advanced to the UEFA Nations League Finals. The third-placed team of each group was initially to be relegated to the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League B,[2] but remained in League A following UEFA's reformatting of the next edition's groups.[3]

The Nations League Finals took place in June 2019 and was played in a knockout format, consisting of the semi-finals, third place play-off, and final. The semi-final pairings, along with the administrative home teams for the third place play-off and final, were determined by means of an open draw on 3 December 2018.[4] Host country Portugal was selected among the four qualified teams on 3 December 2018 by the UEFA Executive Committee,[5] with the winners of the final crowned as the inaugural champions of the UEFA Nations League.

The four group winners were drawn into groups of five teams for the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying competition (in order to accommodate for the Nations League Finals). In addition, League A was allocated one of the four remaining UEFA Euro 2020 places. Four teams from League A which had not already qualified for the European Championship finals competed in the play-offs, which were played in October and November 2020. The play-off berths were first allocated to the group winners, and if any of the group winners had already qualified for the European Championship finals, then to the next best ranked team of the league, etc. If there were fewer than four teams in League A which had not already qualified for the European Championship finals, the play-off berths would be allocated to the next best ranked team of the following league, etc. The play-offs consisted of two "one-off" semi-finals (best-ranked team vs. fourth best-ranked team and second best-ranked team vs. third best-ranked team, played at home of higher-ranked teams) and one "one-off" final between the two semi-final winners (venue drawn in advance between semi-final 1 and 2).[6][7]

Seeding

[edit]

Teams were allocated to League A according to their UEFA national team coefficients after the conclusion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying group stage on 11 October 2017. Teams were split into three pots of four teams, ordered based on their UEFA national team coefficient.[8][9] The seeding pots for the draw were announced on 7 December 2017.[10]

Pot 1
Team Coeff Rank
 Germany 40,747 1
 Portugal 38,655 2
 Belgium 38,123 3
 Spain 37,311 4
Pot 2
Team Coeff Rank
 France 36,617 5
 England 36,231 6
  Switzerland 34,986 7
 Italy 34,426 8
Pot 3
Team Coeff Rank
 Poland 32,982 9
 Iceland 31,155 10
 Croatia 31,139 11
 Netherlands 29,866 12

The group draw took place at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland on 24 January 2018, 12:00 CET.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

Groups

[edit]

The fixture list was confirmed by UEFA on 24 January 2018 following the draw.[17][18]

Times are CET/CEST,[note 1] as listed by UEFA (local times, if different, are in parentheses).

Group 1

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification[a] Netherlands France Germany
1  Netherlands 4 2 1 1 8 4 +4 7[b] Qualification for Nations League Finals — 2–0 3–0
2  France 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7[b] 2–1 — 2–1
3  Germany 4 0 2 2 3 7 −4 2 2–2 0–0 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated.
  2. ^ a b Head-to-head goal difference: Netherlands +1, France −1.
Germany 0–0 France
Report
Attendance: 67,485[19]
France 2–1 Netherlands
 Report
Attendance: 76,452[19]
Netherlands 3–0 Germany
 Report
Attendance: 52,536[19]
France 2–1 Germany
 Report
Attendance: 77,300[19]
Netherlands 2–0 France
 Report
Attendance: 44,366[19]
Germany 2–2 Netherlands
 Report
Attendance: 42,186[19]

Group 2

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification[a] Switzerland Belgium Iceland
1   Switzerland 4 3 0 1 14 5 +9 9[b] Qualification for Nations League Finals — 5–2 6–0
2  Belgium 4 3 0 1 9 6 +3 9[b] 2–1 — 2–0
3  Iceland 4 0 0 4 1 13 −12 0 1–2 0–3 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated.
  2. ^ a b Head-to-head goal difference: Switzerland +2, Belgium −2.
Switzerland 6–0 Iceland
 Report
Attendance: 14,912[20]
Iceland 0–3 Belgium
Report
Attendance: 9,710[20]
Belgium 2–1  Switzerland
 Report
Attendance: 39,049[20]
Iceland 1–2  Switzerland
 Report
Attendance: 8,663[20]
Belgium 2–0 Iceland
 Report
Attendance: 28,891[20]
Switzerland 5–2 Belgium
 Report
Attendance: 15,000[20]

Group 3

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification[a] Portugal Italy Poland
1  Portugal 4 2 2 0 5 3 +2 8 Qualification for Nations League Finals — 1–0 1–1
2  Italy 4 1 2 1 2 2 0 5 0–0 — 1–1
3  Poland 4 0 2 2 4 6 −2 2 2–3 0–1 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated.
Italy 1–1 Poland
 Report
Attendance: 24,000[21]
Portugal 1–0 Italy
 Report
Attendance: 52,635[21]
Poland 2–3 Portugal
 Report
Attendance: 48,783[21]
Poland 0–1 Italy
Report
Attendance: 41,692[21]
Italy 0–0 Portugal
Report
Attendance: 73,000[21]
Portugal 1–1 Poland
 Report
Attendance: 29,917[21]

Group 4

[edit]
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification[a] England Spain Croatia
1  England 4 2 1 1 6 5 +1 7 Qualification for Nations League Finals — 1–2 2–1
2  Spain 4 2 0 2 12 7 +5 6 2–3 — 6–0
3  Croatia 4 1 1 2 4 10 −6 4 0–0 3–2 —
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ Due to revamp of the format for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League, no teams were eventually relegated.
England 1–2 Spain
 Report
Attendance: 81,392[22]
Spain 6–0 Croatia
 Report
Attendance: 26,900[22]
Croatia 0–0 England
Report
Attendance: 0[22][note 2]
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
Spain 2–3 England
 Report
Attendance: 50,355[22]
Croatia 3–2 Spain
 Report
Attendance: 33,018[22]
England 2–1 Croatia
 Report
Attendance: 78,221[22]

Nations League Finals

[edit]
Main article: 2019 UEFA Nations League Finals

The host of the Nations League Finals, Portugal, was selected from the four qualified teams. The semi-finals pairings were determined by means of an open draw, along with the administrative home teams for the third place play-off and final. The draw took place on 3 December 2018, 14:30 CET (13:30 local time), at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.[4][24] For scheduling purposes, the semi-final pairing involving the host team was considered to be semi-final 1.

Times are CEST (UTC+2), as listed by UEFA (local times are in parentheses).

Bracket

[edit]
 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
5 June 2019 – Porto
 
 
 Portugal3
 
9 June 2019 – Porto
 
  Switzerland1
 
 Portugal1
 
6 June 2019 – Guimarães
 
 Netherlands0
 
 Netherlands (a.e.t.)3
 
 
 England1
 
Third place play-off
 
 
9 June 2019 – Guimarães
 
 
  Switzerland0 (5)
 
 
 England (p)0 (6)

Semi-finals

[edit]
Portugal 3–1  Switzerland
 Report
Attendance: 42,415[25]
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
Netherlands 3–1 (a.e.t.) England
 Report
Attendance: 25,711[26]

Third-place play-off

[edit]

Final

[edit]
Main article: 2019 UEFA Nations League final
Portugal 1–0 Netherlands
 Report
Attendance: 43,199[28]

Goalscorers

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There were 81 goals scored in 28 matches, for an average of 2.89 goals per match.

5 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Overall ranking

[edit]

The 12 League A teams were ranked 1st to 12th overall in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League according to the following rules:[2][29]

  • The teams finishing first in the groups were ranked 1st to 4th according to the results of the Nations League Finals.
  • The teams finishing second in the groups were ranked 5th to 8th according to the results of the league phase.
  • The teams finishing third in the groups were ranked 9th to 12th according to the results of the league phase.
Rnk Grp Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 A3  Portugal 4 2 2 0 5 3 +2 8
2 A1  Netherlands 4 2 1 1 8 4 +4 7
3 A4  England 4 2 1 1 6 5 +1 7
4 A2   Switzerland 4 3 0 1 14 5 +9 9
5 A2  Belgium 4 3 0 1 9 6 +3 9
6 A1  France 4 2 1 1 4 4 0 7
7 A4  Spain 4 2 0 2 12 7 +5 6
8 A3  Italy 4 1 2 1 2 2 0 5
9 A4  Croatia 4 1 1 2 4 10 −6 4
10 A3  Poland 4 0 2 2 4 6 −2 2
11 A1  Germany 4 0 2 2 3 7 −4 2
12 A2  Iceland 4 0 0 4 1 13 −12 0
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Ranking criteria

Prize money

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The prize money to be distributed was announced in March 2018.[30] Each team in League A received a solidarity fee of €1.5 million. In addition, the four group winners received double this amount via a €1.5M bonus fee.

The four group winners of League A, which participated in the Nations League Finals, also received the following fees based on performance:

  • Winners: €4.5M
  • Runners-up: €3.5M
  • Third place: €2.5M
  • Fourth place: €1.5M

This meant that the maximum amount of solidarity and bonus fees for a team from League A was €7.5M.

Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs

[edit]
Main article: UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying play-offs § Path A

The four best teams in League A according to the overall ranking that did not qualify for UEFA Euro 2020 through the qualifying group stage were set to compete in the play-offs, with the winners qualifying for the final tournament. As Iceland were the only team in League A that did not qualify, the remaining three slots were allocated to teams identified according to the path formation rules to be the three best-ranked un-qualified non-group winners from League C not drawn to Path C.


League A
Rank Team
1 GW  Portugal
2 GW  Netherlands[H]
3 GW  England[H]
4 GW   Switzerland
5  Belgium
6  France
7  Spain[H]
8  Italy[H]
9  Croatia
10  Poland
11  Germany[H]
12  Iceland

Key

  1. GW Nations League group winner
  2. H UEFA Euro 2020 host at the time of the draw
  3.   Team advanced to play-offs
  4.   Team qualified directly to final tournament

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ CEST (UTC+2) for matchdays 1–4 (September and October 2018), CET (UTC+1) for matchdays 5–6 (November 2018).
  2. ^ The Croatia v England match was played behind closed doors due to a UEFA punishment against Croatia for racist behaviour in their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying home match against Italy.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "UEFA Nations League receives associations' green light". UEFA. 27 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Regulations of the UEFA Nations League 2018/19" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 28 September 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Format change for 2020/21 UEFA Nations League". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  4. ^ a b "UEFA Nations League Finals: Draw Procedure" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  5. ^ "Lyon to host 2018 UEFA Europa League final". UEFA. 9 December 2016.
  6. ^ "UEFA Nations League format and schedule approved". UEFA.com. 4 December 2014.
  7. ^ "UEFA Nations League format and schedule confirmed". UEFA. 4 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Confirmed: How the UEFA Nations League will line up". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  9. ^ "National Team Coefficients Overview" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  10. ^ "UEFA Nations League draw seedings confirmed". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  11. ^ "UEFA Nations League format confirmed". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 20 September 2017. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  12. ^ "UEFA Nations League 2018/19 – League Phase Draw Procedure" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  13. ^ "All you need to know: UEFA Nations League draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 17 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  14. ^ "League Phase Draw Press Kit" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 22 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  15. ^ "Group stage draw". UEFA.com. 24 January 2018.
  16. ^ "UEFA Nations League 2018/19 League Phase draw". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  17. ^ "UEFA Nations League calendar: all the fixtures". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  18. ^ "UEFA Nations League 2018/19: Fixtures List – League Phase" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 January 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Summary UEFA Nations League A – Group 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Summary UEFA Nations League A – Group 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  21. ^ a b c d e f "Summary UEFA Nations League A – Group 3". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  22. ^ a b c d e f "Summary UEFA Nations League A – Group 4". Soccerway. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  23. ^ "England's Nations League match in Croatia will be behind closed doors". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  24. ^ "UEFA Nations League Finals draw". UEFA.com. 3 December 2018.
  25. ^ "Full Time Report – Semi-finals – Portugal v Switzerland" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  26. ^ "Full Time Report – Semi-finals – Netherlands v England" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2019.
  27. ^ "Full Time Report – Third-place match – Switzerland v England" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  28. ^ "Full Time Report – Final – Portugal v Netherlands" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  29. ^ "2018/19 UEFA Nations League rankings" (PDF). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  30. ^ "UEFA Nations League solidarity and bonus fees". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
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