Look, the UEFA Nations League can be a bit of a headache to follow with all those leagues and promotion paths. But when it comes down to the nations league finals draw, things finally get simple. Or at least, they’re supposed to. We just witnessed one of the most chaotic editions in the tournament's short history, culminating in a June that saw Portugal climb back to the top of the mountain.
The draw itself, which took place at UEFA headquarters in Nyon back in November 2024, set the stage for a dramatic final four in Germany. It wasn't just about pulling balls out of a pot; it was the first time the tournament included a proper quarter-final stage in March before the big show in June. That extra step changed the vibe. Honestly, by the time the actual "Final Four" arrived, the tension was already at a breaking point.
Why the Nations League Finals Draw Mattered More This Time
Usually, the Nations League feels like a glorified set of friendlies for the big teams. Not this year. The 2024/25 edition introduced a knockout round in March 2025. This meant the group winners didn't just walk into the finals; they had to earn it through a two-legged quarter-final.
When the nations league finals draw logic was applied, it pitted the giants against each other earlier than usual. Germany, hosting the finals across Munich and Stuttgart, had to survive a brutal clash with Italy just to be at their own party. They won that tie 3-2 on aggregate, basically securing their spot as the "provisional hosts" that UEFA had promised back in late 2024.
Spain, France, and Portugal eventually joined them after their own March battles. This created a "heavyweight" lineup that most Euros or World Cups would envy. No "dark horses" here—just the absolute elite of European football.
The Matchups That Shook the Allianz Arena
The semi-final pairings were determined by an open draw, and it gave us two absolute barnburners.
The first semi-final saw the hosts, Germany, face off against Portugal in Munich on June 4. If you were watching, you saw Florian Wirtz give the Germans hope early in the second half. But then, the script flipped. Francisco Conceição equalized, and then the man himself—Cristiano Ronaldo—sealed it in the 68th minute. A 2-1 win for the Portuguese.
The second semi-final was even crazier. Spain and France in Stuttgart. It was a nine-goal thriller that felt more like a basketball game. Lamine Yamal, only 17 but playing like a veteran of a thousand wars, scored twice. Spain eventually edged it 5-4. You don't see that kind of scoreline in high-stakes international football very often.
- Semi-final 1: Germany 1-2 Portugal (Munich)
- Semi-final 2: Spain 5-4 France (Stuttgart)
- Third-place: France 2-0 Germany
The Final: A Penalty Shootout for the History Books
The final on June 8, 2025, at the Allianz Arena was a tactical chess match compared to the semi-final chaos. It was the first "Iberian Derby" final in Nations League history. Spain were the defending champs, looking to go back-to-back. Portugal wanted their second title to prove the 2019 win wasn't a fluke.
It ended 2-2 after extra time. Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Spain, while Nuno Mendes and Ronaldo (who else?) found the net for Portugal. It came down to the dreaded penalties.
Diogo Costa, who has a bit of a reputation for being a wall during shootouts, saved Álvaro Morata’s effort. Rúben Neves then stepped up and coolly slotted home the winner. Portugal won 5-3 on penalties. They are now the first nation to win the Nations League twice.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Format
A lot of fans still think the nations league finals draw is a random lottery for the whole tournament. It’s not. There is a very specific hierarchy based on the League A rankings.
UEFA changed the rules to make sure the "continuity" between November and June actually meant something. By adding those March quarter-finals, they eliminated the long gap where teams often lost momentum. It also meant that teams like Switzerland and Poland, who struggled in the groups, were relegated long before the finals even started.
If you're looking at the 2026 calendar now, the focus shifts. While the men's Nations League is in a bit of a lull as we head toward World Cup qualifying, the Women's Nations League and continental draws—like the CAF WAFCON 2026 draw that just happened in January—are taking center stage.
Actionable Insights for the Next Season
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the next Nations League cycle, keep these things in mind:
📖 Related: MN Vikings Breaking News: Why the 2026 Offseason Just Got Way More Complicated
- Watch the March Window: The quarter-finals are now the "real" start of the tournament. If a team looks shaky in March, they rarely recover by June.
- Host Advantage is Real (Mostly): Germany had the crowd, but Portugal had the clinical finishing. Hosting gives you the venue, but it doesn't guarantee the trophy.
- The "Ronaldo Factor": People have been saying he's finished for years. At 40, he was still one of the top scorers of the 2024/25 tournament with 8 goals total. Never bet against the veterans in this specific format.
The next time the nations league finals draw rolls around, expect even more tweaks. UEFA loves a new format. But for now, Portugal sits on the throne, and Spain is left wondering what might have been if that shootout had gone just a little differently.
Keep an eye on the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying play-offs in March. Many of the teams that failed in the Nations League finals, like Germany and Italy, will be fighting for their lives to ensure they don't miss out on the big trip to North America.