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THURSDAY | MAR 20, 2025

Malaysian Paper

All to play for Five talking points on Nations League, World Cup qualifiers in Europe

I NTERNATIONAL football gets underway in Europe for the first time in 2025 as the Nations League moves into the quarterfinals stage and the continent’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign gets underway. Nations League promotion/ relegation playoffs are also on the cards in a week where all the European big guns are in action. Here’s five talking points ahead of the action: Spain title defence gets serious Spain face the Netherlands tomorrow (3.45am Malaysian time) in the Nations League quarterfinal, with Luis de la Fuente’s side looking to win their third-straight title after success in the 2023 edition of the competition and their stunning European Championship victory last year. Euro 2024 break-out stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, as well as Dani Olmo and Alvaro Morata are in the squad which will play a two legged tie against the Netherlands with a semifinal berth awaiting the winners. Denmark take on Portugal and France face Croatia (both 3.45am) in the last eight as well for this first edition of the expanded Nations League final phase. Battle of the host Germany and Italy clash in the other quarterfinal, with the winner not only advancing to the last four but also confirming their status as hosts of the Nations League finals. Germany travel to Euro 2020 winners Italy for the first leg at Milan’s San Siro tomorrow (3.45am), before the reverse

success in major tournaments as England seek to win their first silverware since the 1966 World Cup. “Exciting and a bit surreal,” Tuchel said last week of becoming the first German to lead England.

know when to stop,” Deschamps said in January. “It has been 12 years, and it will have been 14, which is fine. I have done my time, and I still have time left.” Fittingly, Deschamps will begin the end of his reign as France boss against Croatia tomorrow (3.45am) in the Nations League quarterfinals – the same side he defeated in the 2018 World Cup final. Courtois returns from wilderness Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois was included in the Belgium squad last week January, the 32-year old opened himself up to a return from the international wilderness. Ahead of Courtois’ inclusion, Koen Casteels – Belgium’s No. 1 in his absence – announced he was “no longer available for the national team” and stated that other squad members were also not pleased with the Madrid man’s expected return. Belgium will defend their place in League A in a two-legged tie against Ukraine tomorrow and next Monday (both 3.45am). – AFP for the first time since going into self-imposed exile following a dispute with then coach Domenico Tedesco in summer 2023. But following the appointment of Rudi Garcia as Belgium boss in Pochettino ‘would like’ Tottenham return

doubtless be desperate to replicate is outgoing France coach Didier Deschamps, who announced in January he would be stepping down from his role after the 2026 World Cup in North America. The captain of France’s first World Cup

fixture takes place three days later in the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund. The four-team final tournament begins with the semifinals on June 4 5. The final is scheduled for June 8. Tuchel debut England begin

“It’s a big honour and I’m very proud of it. I’m very well aware of it, I will make sure that I earn my rights to be in this place.” Tuchel will make his debut on Saturday (3.45am) when Albania travel to Wembley, before Latvia visit London next Tuesday.

winning side in 1998 took over as coach in 2012 a n d masterminded his country’s second triumph in football’s biggest tournament six years later. “All good things

their journey to reach the 2026 World Cup with a new manager at the helm following the appointment of former Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. The German will be under no illusions that his reign will ultimately be judged b y

Start of the end for Deschamps

come to an end, and you also need t o

One coach whose achievements Tu c h e l will

Thibaut Courtois

Lamine Yamal

Norris eyes China success success

- Story on page 29

- Story on page 30

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