The Nations League finalists are confirmed.

The four teams that will compete in the second finals of the Nations League have now been confirmed.

That was after Spain beat the 2019 champions Portugal with a late goal in Lisbon that enabled them to leapfrog their Iberian neighbours, at the top of Group 2.

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They join Italy in the last four, who secured their own qualification earlier in the week with an away victory in Hungary, who had to settle for second place in Group 3.

Sunday’s victory away against Austria had guaranteed Croatia their place as the winners of Group 1, whilst the Netherlands had already booked their place in the finals before the final round of fixtures were played, remaining unbeaten in Group 4.

The venue for the final has yet to be confirmed, although UEFA insiders have indicated it is likely to be the Netherlands. There will be two semi-finals, to be played on 14th and 15th June respectively, whilst the final itself is scheduled for June 18th 2023.

Three out of the four teams will also feature in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the glaring exception being Italy. The reigning European champions seemingly had an automatic qualification in their own hands, only to draw their last two games allowing Switzerland to overtake them.

Consigned to the playoffs, they then suffered a shock defeat at the hands of North Macedonia, ending their hopes.

Croatia reached the World Cup final in Moscow four years ago before losing to France, and despite a population of just over four million people, they continue to punch well above their weight in world football.

They remain dark horses, but may not have the depth of resources that will enable them to mount a serious challenge this time round.

Spain do not look like the same team that won three major international tournaments with success around 2010, and recently lost their first home game for four years, losing to the Swiss in their Nations League side. They lack a top-class striker to convert the chances they do create, and they have also been drawn into a tough group in Qatar alongside Germany, Japan, and Costa Rica.

Arguably, the Dutch have received own of the kinder World Cup draws, finding themselves in the same group as the host Qatar, Senegal, and Ecuador. Under coach Louis van Gaal they are organised and well managed, but as ever, there remains a question mark over temperament.

The national team has a long history of falling out among themselves at major tournaments, and it remains to be seen if van Gaal- not known as the most accommodating of individuals, can keep the various egos in check.

In reality, none of the three that are going to the World Cup are regarded as among the favourites to lift the trophy on December 18th. In fact, this time there may be a South American winner – Brazil or Argentina – because conditions in Qatar, even in November, are set to be more to their liking.

Ironically, it is the one out of the four, Italy, who are not going to the finals, that may have had the best chance. But they are going to have to watch it on television, like most of the rest of the world.