How did the Nations League finish? Scotland promoted, England & Wales relegated, NI survive
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Gareth Bale (far left) and Harry Kane (left centre) suffered relegation with Wales and England, while John McGinn (right centre) earned promotion with Scotland and Jonny Evans (far right) and Northern Ireland did just enough to stay up
The 2022-23 Nations League group stage is over.
Scotland will play in the top tier for the first time after a 0-0 draw with Ukraine saw them earn promotion from League B, while England and Wales have been relegated and Northern Ireland did enough to stay in League C.
We will definitely have a new winner after both Portugal and France, the first two winners of the tournament, failed to progress to next year's finals, which will take place between 14-18 June. Spain, Italy, Croatia and the Netherlands have progressed.
Scotland join the top flight
Group B1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
P | GD | Pts | |
1. Scotland | 6 | 6 | 13 |
2. Ukraine | 6 | 6 | 11 |
3. Republic of Ireland | 6 | 1 | 7 |
4. Armenia | 6 | -13 | 3 |
Wednesday, 21 September: Scotland 3-0 Ukraine
Saturday, 24 September: Armenia 0-5 Ukraine, Scotland 2-1 Republic of Ireland
Tuesday, 27 September: Republic of Ireland 3-2 Armenia, Ukraine 0-0 Scotland
Scotland travelled to face Ukraine knowing a point would be enough to secure promotion to League A for the first time.
Steve Clarke was missing 10 important players and Ukraine dominated and missed several clear-cut opportunities in Krakow, Poland - where the game was being played because of the ongoing war in Ukraine - but Scotland earned a goalless draw.
Republic of Ireland guaranteed their safety with a 3-2 win over Armenia in Dublin. They just needed to avoid defeat and were 2-0 up before being pegged level so it wasn't all plain sailing for Stephen Kenny's side.
England go down
Group A3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
P | GD | Pts | |
1. Italy | 6 | 1 | 11 |
2. Hungary | 6 | 3 | 10 |
3. Germany | 6 | 2 | 7 |
4. England | 6 | -6 | 3 |
Friday, 23 September: Germany 0-1 Hungary, Italy 1-0 England
Monday, 26 September: England 3-3 Germany, Hungary 0-2 Italy
England will drop down to League B in 2024 after failing to win any of their six games on the way to being relegated.
Hungary needed a point against Italy to seal a place in next year's finals - but an Azzurri win saw them clinch top spot instead.
Wales relegated as Netherlands seal finals spot
Group A4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
P | GD | Pts | |
1. Netherlands | 6 | 8 | 16 |
2. Belgium | 6 | 3 | 10 |
3. Poland | 6 | -6 | 7 |
4. Wales | 6 | -5 | 1 |
Thursday, 22 September: Belgium 2-1 Wales, Poland 0-2 Netherlands
Sunday, 25 September: Netherlands 1-0 Belgium, Wales 0-1 Poland
Wales were relegated on Sunday after a 1-0 defeat by Poland in Cardiff. It means they go back to League B at the first time of asking.
The Netherlands top the group and earn a place in the finals after a 1-0 win over Belgium in Amsterdam.
Northern Ireland avoid drop to bottom tier
Group C2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
P | GD | Pts | |
1. Greece | 6 | 8 | 15 |
2. Kosovo | 6 | 3 | 9 |
3. Northern Ireland | 6 | -3 | 5 |
4. Cyprus | 6 | -8 | 5 |
Saturday, 24 September: Northern Ireland 2-1 Kosovo, Cyprus 1-0 Greece
Tuesday, 27 September: Greece 3-1 Northern Ireland, Kosovo 5-1 Cyprus
Despite defeat in Greece Northern Ireland avoided the drop to the bottom tier of the Nations League.
Ian Baraclough's side would have gone down if Cyprus had got a point or better against Kosovo, but they lost 5-1.
It means that Northern Ireland stay up on goal difference, after both of their games against Cyprus finished in a draw.
How it works?
The promoted teams will play in the league above during the next edition of the Nations League, while the relegated teams will play in the league below.
The winners of each group in Leagues A, B and C have guaranteed a Euro 2024 play-off place (all the teams in bold below). If they qualify for Euro 2024 through the traditional qualifiers, their play-off spot goes to the next best team in their league - or the tier below if everybody in that league has qualified.
The 12 teams split into three play-off groups - with semis and a final, and the winners of each (three teams in total) go to the Euros.
What has been decided?
A1: Croatia have qualified for the finals. Austria have been relegated.
A2: Spain have qualified for the finals. Czech Republic have been relegated.
A3: Italy have qualified for the finals. England have been relegated.
A4: Netherlands have qualified for the finals. Wales have been relegated.
B1: Scotland have been promoted. Armenia have been relegated.
B2: Israel have been promoted. Russia have been relegated without playing.
B3: Bosnia have been promoted. Romania have been relegated.
B4: Serbia have been promoted. Sweden have been relegated.
C1: Turkey have been promoted. Lithuania will play in relegation play-offs.
C2: Greece have been promoted. Cyprus will play in relegation play-offs.
C3: Kazakhstan have been promoted. Belarus will play in relegation play-offs.
C4: Georgia have been promoted. Gibraltar will play in relegation play-off.
D1: Latvia have been promoted.
D2: Estonia have been promoted.