📊 The 5️⃣ most interesting stats from this week's Nations League action
The Nations League group stages drew to a close on Tuesday night, as did the final international break of 2024.
Here are our most interesting takeaways from the action.
Spain remain the team to beat
13 - Excluding friendlies, Spain have not lost any of their 13 matches in 2024 in all competitions (W12 D1), setting the record for their most competitive matches without defeat in a single year, as well as their most wins (12). Unforgettable. pic.twitter.com/6ECgnm09RB
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 18, 2024
Wins over Denmark and Switzerland saw La Roja make history, topping even the dream team of 2008-12.
With the best record of any side in the quarter-finals, who'd bet against Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and co. lifting another trophy in 2025?
Bellamy's Dragons fly to new heights
No manager in Wales' history has recorded a better start than Craig Bellamy:
🏟 6 games
✅ 3 wins
🤝 3 draws pic.twitter.com/ntHQjd5m1p— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 19, 2024
A 4-1 victory over Iceland in Cardiff coupled with Türkiye's loss in Montenegro sealed automatic qualification to League A, and continued the former striker's brilliant start to life in charge of his country.
No Mbappé, no problem for Les Bleus
Only one goal separated France and Italy 😳#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/rXAiILRno0
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) November 19, 2024
By their high standards, France have struggled of late, bowing out in weak fashion at EURO 2024, losing 3-1 at home to Italy in the opening game of the Nations League in September, and then drawing 0-0 with Israel last Thursday.
They still managed to top their group though, with Adrien Rabiot leading them to a 3-1 win of their own over Luciano Spalletti's side.
Europe's deadliest striker does it again
⚽️ 26’
⚽️ 37’
⚽️ 58’
⚽️ 70’
Viktor Gyökeres’ 4 goals vs. Azerbaijan brings him to 32 goals for club & country this season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xt0X2w68VR— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 19, 2024
He's making Erling Haaland's numbers look average right now. It feels like only a matter of time before he joins his fellow Scandinavian in the Premier League.
The only question is which club will he join?
A San Marino golden generation
🇸🇲’s Nations League campaign:
- Their first win in 20 years
- Their first ever competitive win
- Their biggest win ever
- Their first ever comeback win
- THEIR FIRST PROMOTION TO THE NATIONS LEAGUE C
What a time to be alive.
FORZA TITANI 🇸🇲🇸🇲🇸🇲— San Marino fan account (@SanMarino_FA) November 18, 2024
The Nations League might not be to everyone's liking, but it does give the smallest of countries the chance at some rare moments of glory.
📸 ADRIAN DENNIS - AFP or licensors