Portugal and Spain Reached Nations League Quarter-Finals
Both European football giants have secured their advancement following successful performances in the group stage.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Soccer
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Portugal and Spain have officially qualified for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. Spain secured its place by defeating Croatia 2-1 on Tuesday.
Why it matters
The qualification marks a critical step for both national teams as they advance toward the tournament's final stages. Consistent performance in group play remains essential for teams aiming to compete for the prestigious continental title.
Spain maintained a perfect record by winning all 4 of their group stage fixtures, totaling 12 points. Their most recent result saw them defeat Croatia by a final score of 2-1.
The players
Spain
Spain is a prominent national football team that has successfully advanced to the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals.
Portugal
Portugal is an elite national football team that earned its qualification spot in the tournament last week.
Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino is a professional footballer who scored two goals to secure Spain's victory over Croatia.
Croatia
Croatia is a national football team that fell to Spain in the most recent round of tournament matches.
The details
Mikel Merino played a pivotal role in Spain's victory by scoring two goals during the match against Croatia. Portugal had already confirmed their progression to the next phase of the competition during the previous week.
Timeline
Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals on September 30, 2026.
Spain defeated Croatia and qualified on October 6, 2026.
The remaining group stage matches will take place from November 12 to 17, 2026.
The quarter-final draw is scheduled between March 25 and 30, 2027.
The semi-final matches will be held between June 9 and 13, 2027.
The Big Picture
The current qualification outcomes follow the competitive format established by the UEFA Nations League tournament structure. By securing their spots early, these teams align their performance with the long-term scheduling of international football fixtures.
Spain's 12-point total ensures they enter the next phase with significant momentum and a clear path toward the knockout bracket. This result locks their position in the standings, eliminating the possibility of dropping out before the final rounds begin.
The takeaway
Securing early qualification allows national teams to better manage player workloads ahead of the knockout phase. Fans can expect highly competitive play in the coming months as the remaining groups finalize their own standings.
What happens next
Remaining group stage matches will occur between November 12 and 17, 2026. The official draw for the quarter-finals is slated for the period between March 25 and 30, 2027, followed by semi-final matches from June 9 to 13, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming international fixtures, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Post Nigeria.
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