Spain unbeaten as Greece and Netherlands chase Nations League finals

In a quiet stadium in Brussels, the Nations League entered its seventh matchday, already on the calendar for the past weekend. The competition is now "eventjes volop bezig", meaning the fixtures are in full swing, and teams such as the Netherlands and Greece find themselves level on eight points from twelve.

Group A dynamics

Within Group A, the Netherlands and Greece each sit on eight points, while Germany trails with five and Serbia remains winless. The standings create a scenario where a German victory over the Dutch, coupled with a Dutch win over Greece, would leave all three sides on eleven points, turning the race for the quarter‑finals into a complex puzzle.

Dropping points against Serbia would be disastrous for both Germany and Greece, as the Serbian side sits at the bottom of the table. The phrase "een vogel voor de kat" is used to describe Serbia’s position, highlighting how the team appears vulnerable to the stronger opponents.

Spain's unbeaten run

Spain continue their remarkable unbeaten streak, which has lasted more than three and a half years in competitive matches. Their last defeat came in March 2023 against Scotland, a result that still feels surprising given the current generation’s dominance, exemplified by young talent Lamine Yamal.

Benin's Cheetahs under pressure to protect Messi in Buenos Aires

In the Nations League, Spain have yet to taste defeat, reinforcing their reputation as the team to beat in the group stage.

The second‑leg clash between Ireland and Israel ended 1‑1 in a closed‑door match in Serbia, following a heated press conference that saw Irish coach Heimir Hallgrímsson’s remarks cut short after a dispute with journalists. The match itself was marked by a disputed spitting incident, which Hallgrímsson deemed sufficient grounds for UEFA to reconsider Israel’s future placement in European competitions.

On Tuesday 6 October, Argentina will host Benin at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, a friendly that doubles as Lionel Messi’s farewell appearance for the Albiceleste. Beninese defender Mohamed Tijani, a 28‑year‑old from Swiss club Yverdon‑Sport, said he will "go straight to Messi, tell him how much I love him and ask for his shirt" – a personal quest that adds a human touch to the international break.

Voor the upcoming fixtures, the Nations League continues to shape the path to the quarter‑finals, while Spain’s unbeaten record and Messi’s emotional goodbye illustrate the dual nature of this period: fierce competition and poignant moments.