Italy hoping to win UEFA Nations League after World Cup disappointment
After qualifying for the UEFA Nations League finals, Italy will be hoping to lift the 2023 UEFA Nations League after missing out on the World Cup.
The Italians missed their second consecutive World Cup after failing to beat North Macedonia. However, they have an opportunity to redeem themselves by winning the Nations League.
Italy qualified from their Nations League group that included Germany, England, and Hungary. The Azzurri will be paired with one of three nations in the semifinals.
Courtesy of their win in Portugal, Spain secured the final spot.
Italy will face one team among Spain, the Netherlands, and Croatia in the Nations League final four in June 2023.
La Roja secured the final spot after Alvaro Morata’s late victory in Portugal in Group 2.
Portugal needed a draw to secure their place, while Spain needed a victory to leapfrog them and reach the tournament’s next stage.
The game was heading to a 0-0 draw until the 88th minute. Spain won when Nico Williams knocked a Dani Carvajal ball back across the six-yard box for ex-Juventus striker Morata to tap in and give Spain victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo almost secured a memorable draw in stoppages. All thanks to Unai Simon, who parried an angled drive with his leg at the near post.
The UEFA is expected to assign the venue to the Netherlands.
The Final Four will be two semi-finals scheduled on June 14 and 15, 2023. While the winners will face off in the final on June 18.
Before the final, the two losing sides will play each other to decide who gets third place.
UEFA will be performed a draw to see which two teams go head-to-head in the semi-finals.
France is the defending champions of the Nations League in 202. Portugal took the inaugural trophy in 2019.
Coincidentally, none of them will be featuring in the finals. This, there will be a new UEFA Nations League champion.
Italy will need the title more to compensate their fans after missing the world cup.
The Azurri, the defending European champions, will have to beat their next two opponents to lift the trophy.
