With both Portugal and France failing to qualify for the semi-finals, a new UEFA Nations League winner will be crowned next year.
Following Alvaro Morata’s late winner in Braga, Luis Enrique’s Spain join the Netherlands, Croatia and European Championship winners Italy in the last-four.
With the finals not taking place until June, HITC Sport has put together an early combined Nations League semi-finalists XI following the conclusion of the group stages.
Combined Nations League semi-finalists XI
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who will no doubt be looking to oust Gianluigi Buffon in the Italian record books, was a nailed on starter in our team given his pedigree and the starring role he played in Italy beating England on penalties in last summer’s Euros final.
Denzel Dumfries is one of most attack-minded full backs across Europe, and if the Dutchman can maintain his impressive early season form, the 26-year-old Inter Milan star is likely to be the subject of a lucrative bidding war next summer.
Virgil van Dijk may have had a difficult and unsteady start to the season, but the Liverpool colossus remains one of the most dominant centre-backs in world football.
It only seems a matter of time before Pau Torres secures a big money move away from Villarreal, and if the Spaniard adds to his impressive reputation with a standout World Cup, the Yellow Submarine are likely to be in the midst of their last season with the classy left-footed centre-halve in their ranks.
One of only two Premier League representatives, Ivan Perisic, who has been deployed at wing-back by Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte, slots in at left-back for our side.
Maybe Kevin de Bruyne aside, it’s hard to think of any better midfield technicians than the star-studded quartet we have selected.
Good luck to any side trying to get the ball of pass masters Marco Verratti, Luka Modric, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong – that would be quite the outfield line-up in a five a side team.
Up front we’ve gone with a Dutch duo who earn their spots in the side for different reasons.
While Memphis Depay might not be a regular for Barcelona, according to Transfermarkt, the former Manchester United man has scored more goals (23) than any other player for their country since 2020.
While PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo is in the form of his life, and it would be incredibly harsh leaving out the 23-year-old who has 10 goals and nine assists from 13 games for PSV already this season.
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