UEFA Nations League standings, fixtures, story so far from Ronaldo records to San Marino miracle

With this season's group phase condensed into just over three months, there is plenty to play for in October, before promotion, relegation and possible playoffs are all decided next month.

League A teams will be vying for a place in the new quarter-final stage, or perhaps hoping merely to avoid demotion to the competition's second tier.

From European champions Spain to minnows San Marino, there are a diverse range of sides fighting it out for precious points, so Sports Mole makes sense of it all by recapping the story so far.

UEFA Nations League, League A standings

Group 1

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Croatia vs. Scotland (12 October 2024, 5pm | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb)

Poland vs. Portugal (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)

Poland vs. Croatia (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)

Scotland vs. Portugal (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Hampden Park, Glasgow)

Portugal vs. Poland (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Estadio do Dragao, Porto)

Scotland vs. Croatia (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Hampden Park, Glasgow)

Croatia vs. Portugal (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Poljud, Split)

Poland vs. Scotland (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)

STORY SO FAR

Portugal are setting the pace following back-to-back wins in September, as the Selecao quickly overcame their disappointing exit from Euro 2024. Superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo struck two in two against Croatia and Scotland, including his 900th goal in senior football.

His fellow veterans were also to the fore last month, as Luka Modric scored a stunning free-kick in Croatia's home victory over Poland, while Robert Lewandowski was on target as the Poles edged out Scotland in a five-goal thriller.

A top-two finish will book a berth in the quarter-finals, so Portugal can now secure their place by beating Poland and Scotland on the road.

Group 2

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Israel vs. France (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Bozsik Arena, Budapest)

Italy vs. Belgium (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadio Olimpico, Rome)

Belgium vs. France (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels)

Italy vs. Israel (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadio Friuli, Udine)

Belgium vs. Italy (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels)

France vs. Israel (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stade de France, Saint-Denis)

Israel vs. Belgium (17 November 2024, 7:45pm | Bozsik Arena, Budapest)

Italy vs. France (17 November 2024, 7:45pm | San Siro, Milan)

STORY SO FAR

After a tame last-16 elimination at the Euros, Italy have made a fast start in Group 2, and they will be seeking a third successive win when they meet Belgium in Rome.

The Azzurri kicked off their campaign with a stunning 3-1 victory in France - despite trailing within just a few seconds - before beating Israel to secure a three-point lead atop the table.

Following their opening defeat in Paris, France got off the mark with a 2-0 home win over Belgium to move onto three points alongside their neighbours, who had seen off Israel a few days earlier.

Group 3

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Germany (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica)

Hungary vs. Netherlands (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Puskas Arena, Budapest)

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Hungary (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica)

Germany vs. Netherlands (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Allianz Arena, Munich)

Germany vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (16 November 2024, 7:45pm | Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg)

Netherlands v Hungary (16 November 2024, 7:45pm | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam)

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Netherlands (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica)

Hungary vs. Germany (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Puskas Arena, Budapest)

STORY SO FAR

Continental heavyweights Netherlands and Germany both fired home five goals on the opening matchday, before sharing four in an entertaining encounter between the old foes in Amsterdam.

The two group favourites hold a three-point cushion over Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina, who played out a goalless draw last month.

Rebuilding after several stars stepped down following their home Euros, Germany's campaign continues in Zenica, where they will play Bosnia in a competitive fixture for the very first time.

Group 4

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Serbia vs. Switzerland (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | Dubocica Stadium, Leskovac)

Spain vs. Denmark (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | Nueva Condomina, Murcia)

Spain vs. Serbia (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Nuevo Arcangel, Cordoba)

Switzerland vs. Denmark (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Kybunpark, St. Gallen)

Denmark vs. Spain (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen)

Switzerland vs. Serbia (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich)

Serbia vs. Denmark (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Dubocica Stadium, Leskovac)

Spain vs. Switzerland (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, Santa Cruz de Tenerife)

STORY SO FAR

Not only are Spain reigning European champions, they also hold the UEFA Nations League trophy - but La Roja have some ground to make up after dropping two points last month.

Nonetheless, they followed a goalless draw in Serbia with an impressive 4-1 win away to Switzerland, the latter result achieved despite going down to 10 men after 20 minutes in Geneva.

Denmark top the pile, after seeing off a nine-man Swiss side and then claiming maximum points against Serbia; the Danes won their first two games under new coach Lars Knudsen without conceding.

UEFA Nations League, League B standings

Group 1

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Czech Republic vs. Albania (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Letna, Prague)

Ukraine vs. Georgia (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Poznan Stadium, Poznan)

Georgia vs. Albania (14 October 2024, 5pm | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi)

Ukraine vs. Czech Republic (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw)

Georgia vs. Ukraine (16 November 2024, 5pm | Adjarabet Arena, Batumi)

Albania vs. Czech Republic (16 November 2024, 7:45pm | Arena Kombetare, Tirana)

Albania vs. Ukraine (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Arena Kombetare, Tirana

Czech Republic vs. Georgia (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Andruv Stadion, Olomouc)

STORY SO FAR

Having taken the Nations League route to Euro 2024 - where they delighted fans and neutrals alike by improbably making the knockout stage - Georgia returned to the competition in fine style.

Willy Sagnol's side put four past Czech Republic and then edged out Albania, establishing a three-point cushion over both of their Group 1 victims.

The Czechs and Albania posted wins over Ukraine, who are rock-bottom with no points and have some catching up to do over the next couple of months.

Group 2

UPCOMING FIXTURES

England vs. Greece (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Wembley Stadium, London)

Finland vs. Republic of Ireland (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki)

Finland vs. England (13 October 2024, 5pm | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki)

Greece vs. Republic of Ireland (13 October 2024, 7:45pm | Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus)

Greece vs. England (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens)

Republic of Ireland vs. Finland (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Aviva Stadium, Dublin

England vs. Republic of Ireland (17 November 2024, 5pm | Wembley Stadium, London)

Finland vs. Greece (17 November 2024, 5pm | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki)

STORY SO FAR

There is already a significant gap between the top two and the bottom two, as England and Greece lead the way with six points after both won twice last month.

Harry Kane celebrated his 100th cap by taking his Three Lions tally to 68 goals, as Lee Carsley's side defeated the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

Greece beat the same opponents in September, making them favourites to earn a place in the promotion playoffs behind likely group winners England.

Group 3

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Austria vs. Kazakhstan (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Red Bull Arena, Salzburg)

Norway vs. Slovenia (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo)

Kazakhstan vs. Slovenia (13 October 2024, 2pm | Astana Arena, Astana)

Austria vs. Norway (13 October 2024, 7:45pm | Ernst-Happel Stadion, Vienna)

Kazakhstan vs. Austria (14 November 2024, 3pm | Astana Arena, Astana)

Slovenia vs. Norway (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stozice Stadium, Ljubljana)

Austria vs. Slovenia (17 November 2024, 5pm | Franz Horr Stadium, Vienna)

Norway vs. Kazakhstan (17 November 2024, 5pm | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo)

STORY SO FAR

Two big-name strikers with roots in Salzburg helped their respective nations to take four points from two matches last month, as Norway and Slovenia moved clear of Austria and Kazakhstan.

Erling Haaland was on target for the Norwegians, while Slovenia star Benjamin Sesko struck four times in four days - most notably netting a hat-trick against Kazakhstan.

The high-profile pair will go head to head in Oslo this month, as the race for top spot continues.

Group 4

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Iceland vs. Wales (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavík)

Turkey vs. Montenegro (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium, Samsun)

Iceland vs. Turkey (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavík)

Wales vs. Montenegro (14 October 2024 7:45pm | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff)

Montenegro vs. Iceland (16 November 2024, 5pm | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica)

Turkey vs. Wales (16 November 2024, 5pm | Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri)

Montenegro vs. Turkey (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica)

Wales vs. Iceland (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff)

STORY SO FAR

The top three nations in Group 4 are separated by only one point, with Wales and Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey leading the way.

Craig Bellamy's first fixture as Cymru coach ended in a goalless home draw with the Crescent-Stars, before two goals in the first three minutes set up victory in rain-soaked Montenegro.

Benfica forward Kerem Akturkoglu fired home a hat-trick as Turkey saw off Iceland, who had won 2-0 against Montenegro on the opening matchday.