Oh what a chance spurned by Croatia!

The hosts are awarded a penalty after a foul by Ibrahima Konate. Andrej Kramaric steps up but has to wait a long time for a check by VAR.

Eventually the decision to give the spot kick stands but all that time waiting seems to affect Kramaric as his tame effort down the middle is kept out.

Almost an early opener for Denmark.

Portugal keeper Diogo Costa dallies on the ball and is charged down by debutant Mika Biereth as he goes to clear it up field.

The striker manages to block it goalwards but Ruben Dias gets back in time to tap it out for a corner.

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France have the first chance of the game as Kylian Mbappe powers down on the Croatia defence. He squares for Ousmane Dembele, but his low strike is straight at the goalkeeper.

WJBBrown: Troy Deeney, Watford v Leicester. Don't support either team but it was football at its ultimate best....

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Tonight's Nations League action is getting under way.

Karsten: Chelsea's night in Munich 2012

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Monaco forward Mika Biereth makes his international debut for Denmark this evening.

Across 37 appearances for Sturm Graz and AS Monaco so far this campaign he's scored 25 goals and registered 8 assists.

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Kylian Mbappe is feeling refreshed and ready to go as France prepare to take on Croatia tonight.

The Real Madrid striker missed two international matches in October because of injury, and then was left out of two games in November while he adapted to life in Spain.

"I feel good, I feel happy to be playing football, I feel happy to be here," said France captain Mbappe.

"Most of the team-mates who are here, we talk pretty much all the time. I go on holiday with some of them. It's a pleasure to be here. The situation may have been unclear to people outside, but it's always been clear internally," he added.

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Italy were dealt a blow earlier this week with the news that key striker Mateo Retegui is out of the two games with Germany because of a thigh injury.

Argentina-born Retegui has scored six times in 18 international appearances since choosing to play for Italy in 2023.

"We sent him home because he wasn't going to make it for the matches," boss Luciano Spalletti said.

"There isn't a serious problem but he has this strain, so like we always do when there is any doubt we've sent him back to his club."

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Ronald Koeman says that the Netherlands may need to "park the bus" at times to combat the threat that Nations League holders Spain offer in wide areas.

"With Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams on the flanks, they also have a lot of pace. You will sometimes have to park the bus," he said.

Koeman added, "But you don't really want that. You want to have the ball in their half and apply pressure up front at times.

"Spain are very solid on the ball, and they have great midfielders between the lines."

The Netherlands' best finish in the Nations League came in the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2018/19, when they finished runners-up to Portugal.

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Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann wants his side to build a winning mentality as they prepare to face Italy at San Siro tonight.

Confidence in the team got stronger at last summer's Euros - the tournament Germany hosted - as they produces some impressive performances and results.

They were ultimately knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Spain, but Nagelsmann wants his side to start gaining momentum once again.

"I have often said that it is important for us to get accustomed to winning," he said.

"We want to win as many games as possible and win the Nations League, but we also know that we are up against a very strong opponent in Italy.

"We must beat them first, then we can talk about potentially winning the trophy."

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The Nations League returns this week, entering the play-off and knockout stages of the competition.

The group stage of the new-look tournament concluded in November.

Eight teams remain in the main draw, where they will compete to win the tournament itself.

The play-offs will determine whether teams are promoted or relegated from their respective groups.

Confused?

Read our explainer over on the BBC Sport website.

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Holders Spain have very happy memories of their last trip to Rotterdam.

La Roja won the Nations League for the very first time there in June 2023.

After a 0-0 draw with Croatia goalkeeper Unai Simon stepped up to make two saves in the shootout as they ran out 5-4 winners on penalties.

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Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has urged his side to "be careful" and not risk exposing themselves to France's array of attacking talent.

Tonight's game will see them come up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

"France are a fantastic team," Dalic said.

"They have their own style and are so fast in transition that any mistake can be punished. We have to be careful; we must not rush and get caught short at the back. The biggest danger for us will be lost possession.

"We want to go to the final four, and a very big challenge lies between us and that."

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Denmark boss Brian Riemer says his side must find a way to minimise Portugal's "massive individual quality."

"If you have even a little football knowledge, you can look at Portugal's 26 national team players and see that there are stars in every position," he said.

Denmark are likely to face a lineup that includes experienced stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruben Dias and Bruno Fernandes, as well as emerging midfield talents Vitinha and Joao Neves.

"They have an incredible amount of talent. It doesn't matter which 11 players they choose to start with."

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Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong believes that many people will view the side as underdogs as they host holders and European champions Spain at De Kuip stadium.

"For many people, Spain is the favourite, but I don't like that. Of course they are very good, but we are ready to make it a great match."

The Dutchman, who plays his club football with Barcelona, believes that the side must keep a particular eye out for teenage teammate Lamine Yamal, who starred as Spain won the Euros last summer.

He added, "He is very good. I see him as a natural talent and a player of the highest quality. It is important that we defend him as a team."

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Spain coach Luis de la Fuente says that Spain's quarter-final first leg against the Netherlands will be "like a final."

"It will be a very complicated match, like a final. The Netherlands have a very young, talented team. At this level, age is not a factor. What matters is ability, determination and talent," he said.

Spain host the return leg in Valencia next week but de la Fuente insists his side will be aiming to win in the Netherlands.

"We always want to win; we never think about speculating and resolving the issue in Valencia. That never crosses our minds."