The Nations League group stage ended dramatically with late goals and surprises across multiple groups. Germany finished their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Hungary, where Dominik Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty secured a point for the hosts. Meanwhile, the Netherlands were also held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Hercegovina.
With little at stake in Group A3 on the final day, Germany had already sealed top spot, while the Netherlands were assured of second place. Hungary had also guaranteed third, leaving Bosnia relegated. Felix Nmecha scored for Germany in Budapest with just 14 minutes left, but a VAR decision awarded Hungary a penalty deep into injury time. Szoboszlai calmly converted, leaving Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann to reflect on a successful campaign despite the draw. German midfielder Robert Andrich emphasized their strong performance in 2024 and expressed optimism for 2025.
The Netherlands, five points behind Germany, opened the scoring against Bosnia with a Brian Brobbey header. However, Ermedin Demirovic equalized in the 67th minute with a stunning header. Dutch coach Ronald Koeman expressed frustration, saying his team deserved to win.
In Group B4, Wales clinched promotion to the top division with a 4-1 victory over Iceland in Cardiff. After conceding an early goal from Andri Gudjohnsen, Wales responded with two goals from Liam Cullen before halftime, followed by strikes from Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson. Their promotion was sealed thanks to Montenegro’s shock 3-1 win over Turkey, where Nikola Krstovic’s hat-trick ended Montenegro’s five-game losing streak.
In Group B1, dramatic results reshaped the standings. The Czech Republic secured first place with a 2-1 win over Georgia, thanks to goals from Pavel Sulc and Adam Hlozek. Ukraine moved from fourth to second by defeating Albania 2-1 in Tirana. Early goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Roman Yaremchuk gave Ukraine the edge, while Zinchenko marked his goal with a tribute to the ongoing conflict in his homeland. Despite a late penalty from Nedim Bajrami, Ukraine held on for victory.
In League C, Sweden showcased their attacking prowess with a 6-0 demolition of Azerbaijan, solidifying their group dominance. Viktor Gyokeres stole the show with four goals, while Dejan Kulusevski added a brace.
The group stage concluded with several teams showcasing resilience and determination, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Nations League in 2025.