The UEFA Nations League quarterfinals took place on March 20, 2025, highlighting a series of thrilling matches that kept football fans on the edge of their seats. Croatia, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands were among the standout teams showcasing their skills on this pivotal night.

In a commanding performance, Croatia outplayed France with a decisive 2-0 victory at Poljud Stadium in Split. The match began somewhat disappointingly for Croatia after Kramaric missed a penalty just eight minutes in. However, the Croatian side quickly picked up the pace. Budimir opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a brilliant finish, assisted by Perisic. Just before halftime, Perisic doubled the lead, scoring in the 45th minute and sending the Croatian fans into a frenzy.

“IVAN PERISIC SCORES WITH THE RIGHT FOOT!!!! 🤯 Croatia 2-0 France #wcq2026#weare26,” cheered Football Today on social media, perfectly capturing the excitement of the moment. Croatia’s lead proved unassailable, bringing them one step closer to the semifinals.

Germany also impressed with their performance, coming from behind to defeat Italy 2-1 at the iconic San Siro in Milan. The match got off to a rocky start for the Germans, as Tonali scored for Italy just nine minutes into the game, putting the hosts ahead. However, in a dramatic turnaround during the second half, Germany equalized with a goal from Kleindienst in the 49th minute.

As the match neared its conclusion, Goretzka struck gold in the 76th minute, giving Germany the lead and ultimately securing their passage to the semifinals. “GORETZKA HAS GIVEN GERMANY THE LEAD!” exclaimed Tekkers Foot while broadcasting the pivotal moment.

On the other side of the bracket, Denmark gathered momentum with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Portugal in Copenhagen. The lone goal was scored by Hojlund in the 78th minute, much to the delight of the Danish supporters. It was a tense affair, especially after Eriksen missed a penalty opportunity in the 24th minute that could have given Denmark an earlier advantage.

Finally, the match between the Netherlands and Spain ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw. Spain initially took control with a goal from Nico Williams in the ninth minute. The Dutch side quickly equalized through Gakpo in the 28th minute, followed by a second goal from Reijnders, giving the Netherlands a 2-1 lead. However, an unfortunate red card for Hato in the 82nd minute left the Dutch a man down. This situation opened the door for Spain, who equalized in stoppage time thanks to a goal from Merino, ending the match at 2-2.

The events of matchday one in the quarterfinals kept fans buzzing with excitement as each team played for a spot in the semifinals. With the second leg approaches set for March 23, the intensity is bound to escalate as teams prepare to fight for their place in the finals.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals offered their share of surprises as Panama managed to secure a stunning 1-0 victory over the USA, with Cecilio Waterman scoring the decisive goal in the 94th minute. Waterman made headlines not only for his late heroics but also for his heartfelt celebration with football legend Thierry Henry.

After scoring, Waterman expressed his admiration: “I told them my idol from childhood was Thierry Henry. When I scored, I saw him and knew I had to go tell him,” capturing the emotional moment perfectly. Panama’s remarkable win not only secured them a place in the finals against Mexico on March 21 but also illustrated the unpredictable nature of international football.

As these various narratives unfold, one thing is clear: the world of football is alive with passion, resilience, and unexpected outcomes. With the semifinals approaching, fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an unforgettable slate of matches.