ENGLAND officially failed to qualify for the Nations League finals after slumping to a 2-0 loss to Belgium on Sunday.
The Three Lions had hoped to make it back-to-back appearances at the finals after taking part in the 2019 showpiece.
England officially failed to qualify for the Nations League after losing 2-0 to Belgium on SundayCredit: Reuters
That year, Gareth Southgate and Co lost to Holland in the semi-finals, with Portugal beating the Dutchmen in the final.
England finished third after beating Switzerland in the playoff match.
But they won’t be in next year’s finals after recent losses to Belgium and Denmark.
While the Three Lions won’t be appearing in next October’s mini-tournament, there are still a number of teams who can still qualify.
We take a look at who’s already in, who’s out and who’s been relegated to League B, but first…
WHAT’S THE FORMAT?
Portugal are the reigning Nations League championsCredit: Alamy Live News
THE Nations League is currently split into four tiers – Leagues A, B, C and D.
Europe’s elite go into League A, with the divisions getting gradually weaker until you reach League D, featuring the likes of San Marino and Liechtenstein.
Here, we’ll focus on League A and the permutations.
League A is split into four groups, with the 16 teams originally split into four pots of seeds based on their world ranking.
One team from each pot of seeds are drawn into four groups; A1, A2, A3 and A4.
In each group, it’s fairly simple: the team finishing top advances to the finals and the team in last place get relegated to League B.
Second and third in each group fail to advance to the finals but maintain their League A status.
World champions France qualified for the finals with a win against Portugal on Saturday while Spain hammered Germany on Tuesday night to progress.
Here’s how the remaining two groups are poised.
GROUP A1
How Group A1 looks ahead of the final round of games
Teams: Italy, Holland, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Already qualified: None
Who can still qualify for finals: Italy, Holland, Poland
Relegated to Group B: Bosnia and Herzegovina
THERE’S still everything to play for in group A1 going into the final round of fixtures.
Bosnia and Herzegovina are officially relegated – but the other THREE teams can still qualify for the finals.
Italy sit top on nine points and are favourites to qualify, taking on Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Holland are currently second on eight points with Poland on seven.
They go head-to-head on Wednesday still hoping Italy drop points.
Should Italy lose, whoever wins between Holland and Poland will reach the finals.
A draw will be enough for Italy if Poland win – thanks to the Italians boasting the better head-to-head record thanks to Sunday’s 2-0 win.
But a draw for Italy and a Holland win would mean the Dutch progress.
Should Italy win, they qualify regardless of the Poland vs Holland game.
GROUP A2
How Group A2 looks ahead of the final round of games
Teams: Belgium, Denmark, England, Iceland
Already qualified: None
Who can still qualify for finals: Belgium, Denmark
Relegated to Group B: Iceland
AS we all know, England are now out of contention after losing to Belgium.
With one game to go, Belgium have 12 points, Denmark have ten, England have seven, while Iceland – officially relegated – have failed to pick up a single point.
England host Iceland while Denmark travel to Belgium for the final round of fixtures, meaning the scenario is simple.
England vs Iceland is a dead-rubber.
Regardless of the result, Iceland will still be relegated and England can’t progress.
A draw between Belgium and Denmark will see Kevin De Bruyne and Co reach the finals.
A Belgium win will see them through, too.
But a win for Denmark will ensure the Danes reach the final four next year.
England manager Gareth Southgate, 50, secretly battled coronavirus last month with players none the wiser
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
