San Marino achieved its greatest footballing milestone by earning a promotion to League C for the first time. Facing Lichtenstein, the team overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to win 3-1, scoring three second-half goals in a spirited comeback.
Starting the day behind Gibraltar, San Marino’s victory propelled them to the top of the group and relegated Gibraltar. This success also puts San Marino on the brink of a World Cup qualifying playoff spot, this is a remarkable achievement for a nation long regarded as football’s perennial underdog.
Northern Ireland promoted to League B
Northern Ireland secured their place in League B after finishing first in Group C3. Despite a late scare in their 2-2 draw with Luxembourg, they ended the campaign two points ahead of Bulgaria. Isaac Price and Conor Bradley gave Northern Ireland a 2-0 lead, but Luxembourg fought back to equalize with two late goals.
Michael O’Neill’s side celebrated another milestone with their 100th goal under his leadership, capping off a successful campaign. Their promotion marks significant progress for the team, which is building toward greater consistency on the international stage.
Denmark and Croatia Secure Quarterfinal Spots
In League A, Denmark and Croatia claimed the final two quarterfinal places. Denmark held Serbia to a 0-0 draw in a match dominated by the hosts, with Dušan Vlahović coming close several times. Croatia, needing only a draw, fought against Portugal to secure a 1-1 result. João Félix gave Portugal the lead, but Josko Gvardiol’s equalizer ensured Croatia advanced alongside group winners Portugal.
The Nations League quarterfinals will take place from March 20-23, with Denmark and Croatia joining France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal in the last eight.
Scotland Sends Poland Down
Scotland continued their resurgence with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Poland in Warsaw, condemning the hosts to relegation into League B. John McGinn scored early, and Andy Robertson delivered a last-minute header to secure the win. Poland equalized through a stunning strike by Kamil Piątkowski but couldn’t stop a rejuvenated Scottish side that has now won two in a row.
Spain Tops Group, Switzerland Relegated
Spain fielded a youthful side but managed a 3-2 win over Switzerland in Tenerife. Bryan Gil and Bryan Zaragoza scored crucial goals, with Zaragoza converting a stoppage-time penalty to seal the victory. Switzerland, already relegated, put up a strong fight but ended their campaign without much to celebrate.
Romania and Kosovo Shine in League C
Romania clinched the top spot in Group C2 with a dominant 4-1 victory over Cyprus, thanks to goals from Daniel Bîrligea, Răzvan Marin, and Florinel Coman. Meanwhile, Kosovo finished second with a 1-0 win over Lithuania, but their campaign remains clouded by the abandonment of their match against Romania due to pro-Serbian chants from fans. UEFA is investigating the incident.
The Nations League concluded with moments of triumph for underdogs like San Marino and Northern Ireland, while the established powers prepared for the next stage. Now the tournament will transition to the quarterfinals and promotions take effect, the competition continues to showcase the drama and unpredictability of European football.
