The big preview: UEFA Nations League

With four teams remaining in the inaugural UEFA Nations League, and with the finalists set to be known this week, our reporter Brandon Prangell gives the lowdown on the four sides vying for the title.

England

England beat Spain on the road the semi-finals (C) Getty Images

World Ranking – Fourth

Top scorer during Nations League – Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford – Two goals each

Form – Five wins, one draw

In their last six, the Three Lions have proved deadly winning five matches in a row after drawing 0-0 in Rijeka, including a 3-2 win over Spain when they travelled there thanks in large part to a double from Raheem Sterling. Following that, Wayne Rooney had a testimonial where England hosted the USA, Gareth Southgate’s side winning 3-0.

Harry Kane then scored the all-important goal which meant that they would be facing the Netherlands as England beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley, to continue their journey for a trophy under Southgate. Since that match, the European nation have easily beat the Czech Republic and Montenegro in the European qualifiers, ending 5-0 and 5-1 respectively.

How they got here –

England won their group after beating both Croatia and Spain, though starting off in the Nations League their worries were realised as Spain beat the hosts at Wembley after coming from behind to win courtesy of goals from Saúl Ñíguez and Rodrigo.

From that point though, it was all about recovery for the Three Lions as a draw in Croatia provided a ground to build as Southgate’s men got revenge in Spain for the defeat earlier on in the season.

Two from Raheem Sterling and a Marcus Rashford strike gave England a golden first 45 minutes in Spain, who despite netting two late goals to make the game tense, failed to stop England emerging 3-2 victors.

It did, however, take until the final game of League A Group 4 for England to progress to the semi-finals of the first-ever Nations League knockout stages. In front of just over 78,000 people, the Three Lions scored a late winner via World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane after they came from behind when Andrej Kramaric opened the scoring in the second half.

Team news –

Gareth Southgate dropped Kieran Trippier, Harry Winks and Southampton duo Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse for his final 23-man squad that still includes captain Harry Kane despite the striker not getting much game time due to injury at the end of the season.

Kane played the full ninety minutes in Tottenham’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool and is one of seven players who featured for either of the sides on Saturday to make the final team list.

In fact, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Jordan Henderson all come into this game with high spirits after managing to help Liverpool to their sixth Champions League crown.

23-man squad –

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Tom Heaton (Burnley), Jordan Pickford (Everton)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Joe Gomez (Liverpool), Michael Keane (Everton), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Declan Rice (West Ham)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

Turn over for the Netherlands