Silver Road and Golden Stripes, Yet Another Football TL

[Wings]

​

Nations League (1 title)
1987-88 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by West Germany 2-0, 2-1)
1988-89 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by West Germany 0-0, 1-1)
1989-90 (3): Round of 16 (defeated by England 2-1, 1-1)
1990-91 (4): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Denmark 1-1, 2-1 aet)
1991-92 (5): Winners, vs Denmark 3-1 aet
1993-94 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Russia 0-0, 2-2)
1994-95 (7): Group Stage (Spain, Bulgaria & Brazil finished above)
1995-96 (8): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Spain 1-1, 5-0)
2001-02 (9): Semi-Finals (defeated by Argentina 2-1, 3-2)
2002-03 (10): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Mexico 2-2, 3-0)
2003-04 (11): Group Stage (Uruguay, Argentina & Sweden finished above)
2004-05 (12): Finalists (defeated by Paraguay 2-0)
2005-06 (13): Group Stage (Uruguay, Greece & Spain finished above)
2011-12 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by Spain 3-1, 2-0)
2012-13 (15): Group Stage (Portugal, Russia & the Czech Republic finished above)
2016-17 (16): Group Stage (Chile, Ecuador & Croatia finished above)
2017-18 (17): Group Stage (Argentina & England finished above)
2018-19 (18): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Argentina 3-0, 2-0)
2019-20 (19): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Belgium 2-1)

World League (1 title)
1972-73 (1): Round of 32 (defeated by Northern Ireland 4-3, 1-1)
1973-74 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by Chile 3-0, 1-1)
1974-75 (3): Round of 32 (defeated by Chile 0-1, 2-0 aet)
1975-76 (4): Round of 16 (defeated by Austria 1-2, 4-2 aet)
1976-77 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by Wales 4-0, 1-3)
1977-78 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Belgium 5-0, 2-0)
1978-79 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Peru 0-0, 3-0)
1979-80 (8): Round of 16 (defeated by Chile 3-2, 1-0)
1980-81 (9): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Romania 3-1, 6-0)
1981-82 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Norway 0-1, 4-3)
1982-83 (11): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Wales 1-0, 1-0)
1983-84 (12): Finalists (defeated by Chile 3-1, 1-0)
1984-85 (13): Semi-Finalists (defeated by Poland 1-0, 0-0)
1985-86 (14): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Scotland 1-1, 1-0)
1986-87 (15): Round of 32 (defeated by the United States 1-1, 0-0)
1992-93 (16): Winners, vs Belgium 0-1, 2-0
1996-97 (17): Round of 32 (defeated by Romania 2-0, 1-1)
1997-98 (18): Round of 32 (defeated by Peru 1-0, 2-3 aet)
1998-99 (19): Round of 32 (defeated by Cameroon 1-0, 2-0)
1999-2000 (20): Round of 16 (defeated by Uruguay 2-2, 1-0)
2000-01 (21): Round of 32 (defeated by Colombia 2-2, 2-0)
2006-07 (22): Round of 16 (defeated by Germany 3-1, 2-3)
2007-08 (23): Round of 32 (defeated by Albania 2-1, 2-0)
2008-09 (24): Group Stage (Latvia, Northern Ireland & Slovakia finished above)
2009-10 (25): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Ghana 2-1, 4-0)
2010-11 (26): Semi-Finals (defeated by the Netherlands 7-0, 1-2)
2013-14 (27): Round of 16 (defeated by Uzbekistan 3-2, 2-1)
2014-15 (28): Round of 32 (defeated by Greece 0-2, 2-0 aet 3-2 p)
2015-16 (29): Semi-Finals (defeated by England 1-0, 1-1)
2017-18 (30): Round of 16 (defeated by Australia 2-1, 2-2)
2020-21 (31): Round of 16 (defeated by Australia 2-0, 2-1)

Stadiums Used
Dublin (Lansdowne Road) - 67 games
Dublin (Dalymount Park) - 16
Cork (Turners Cross) - 14
Dublin (Aviva Stadium) - 14
Derry (Brandywell Stadium) - 9
Dublin (Tolka Park) - 8
Dundalk (Oriel Park) - 7
Sligo (The Showgrounds) - 7
Dublin (Tallaght Park) - 6
Drogheda (United Park) - 3
Dublin (Richmond Park) - 3
Dublin (Glenmalure Park) - 2
Dublin (Croke Park) - 1
Dublin (UCD Bowl) - 1
Longford (Flancare Park) - 1

Records
Largest win: 6-0 vs Northern Ireland, 2017-18
Heaviest loss: 0-5 vs Uruguay, 2005-06
First game (Nations League): West Germany-Republic of Ireland 2-0 (Round of 16, 1987-88)
First game (World League): Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland 4-3 (Round of 32, 1972-73)

 

[Wings]

Franz Beckenbauer (1965-1977, 1984-90)
​

Player

Franz Beckenbauer startred his long international career at the age of 20 for the side of West Germany, in a qualifying game against Sweden. It didn't take long for him to earn a spot in the Nations League lineup, starting with a victory over Spain 1-0 in Munich during the 1965-66 edition. However, it is likely that Beckenbauer would want to forget his second game. Indeed, it is he who was partly responsible for Spain advancing in the return leg, provoking a penalty with an irregular tackle on Suarez which Gento would score to make it 2-0. Despite this, Beckenbauer would keep his starting spot thanks to an incredible World Cup, which would cement him as one of the key pieces of the Mannschaft during the next years.
And with good reason. During his second edition, the Round of 16 matches against Scotland would prove that Beckenbauer had what it took to be a world-class defender, shutting down Denis Law and enabling his squad to make it to Quarters, where he'd take his revenge against Spain, putting on a decent performance, despite the real heroes being on the offensive side. Once more though, he would fall short in the Semi-Finals against a team in the Iberian Peninsula, being unable to defend against Eusebio despite his and his defensive line's efforts. After a 4-1 loss, West Germany didn't have much to play for during the return leg, where Beckenbauer scored the second goal for the Mannschaft, after 88 minutes, too late to make a difference.
During the next edition, Beckenbauer would only play a single game, against Czechoslovakia, as a substitute, recovering from an injury he'd previously had, and with coach Helmut Schon fixed on the World Cup qualifiers later in Summer, no risks were taken to preserve his health. He would however, be part of the squad facing off against East Germany, in the first confrontation between the two countries, of which West Germany would end up winners. Beckenbauer would go on to score his second goal during the next game, a home game against the Soviet Union, which would end up being the only goal of the game. He would also be a key player during the Mannschaft's triumph over England in Wembley, successfully shutting down Francis Lee, safe for a late goal which would not have any incidence on the game. Overshadowed by Gordon Banks and Gerd Muller's performances, Beckenbauer would have his great Nations League performance in the final against Brazil as he successfully shut down the Selecao's offensives, notably Jairzinho and Pele's, after an epic game where the Mannschaft were considered heavy underdogs.

Franz Beckenbauer in action against England during the return leg of the 1968-69 Semi-Finals

Contrarily to the World Cup where Beckenbauer played a central role, the 1970 edition would see Beckenbauer glide through without making too many waves. The West German press would qualify his overall performance as "average" despite the Mannschaft reaching the final. A forgettable performance, yes, but not a catastrophic one, as the defender didn't make any game-ending mistakes.
After a 1970 World Cup full of promises though, the Mannschaft would sink against Romania less than six months later. The West German press would completely annihilate the players, which forced Schon to rearrange the squad. This would end up benefitting Beckenbauer, who took up the role of captain of the Mannschaft, which he would keep until his last cap.
His first game would be a 3-0 win over Belgium in the Round of 16, where West Germany wouldn't tremble whatsoever. The next game would prove Beckenbauer's leadership skills, though. After an initial defeat to Argentina, the defender would rally the troops to force a victory in the Quarter-Finals over the Albiceleste, showing an incredible performance the West German press would dub "Die Nacht der Kaiser" ("The Emperor's Night"), allowing his squad to make it to the next stage, where they'd force another bad situation, defeating Sweden, where the captain would score two goals, including a penalty, the only one he'd take in the Nations League. From there, the Mannschaft would go on to win the tournament, defeating England after extra time, giving Beckenbauer a second international title, with a third coming his way in Summer with the European Championship win, as well as that year's Ballon d'Or.

Franz Beckenbauer lifts the trophy over the Heysel in Brussels

The next year, the Mannschaft wouldn't be able to defend its title. After an initial win over Portugal, they would go on to face the Netherlands, in full swing as they entered their golden age, with the epic return leg seeing the Dutch winning and advancing to the Semi-finals. With the 1974 final taking place in Munich, the pressure was on him and the Mannschaft to perform. This would culminate in the Mannschaft getting their revenge over the Netherlands, with Beckenbauer scoring the first of the two German goals of the return leg, allowing his team to make it to the next round, where they would defeat Brazil in a quite forgettable game. This would be Beckenbauer's third title, with the World Cup following suit that Summer.

Der Kaiser in action against the Netherlands

"Der Kaiser" is at the height of his career, and even a forgettable 1975 run that culminated in another defeat to Romania, wouldn't be able to stain his career path. Beckenbauer continued to be the Mannschaft's captain after this new debacle, scoring the first German goal of their new Nations League run, starting against the Soviet Union. The next confrontations, against Poland, would once more prove how precious Beckenbauer was to the Mannschaft, as he single-handedly shut down most Polish offensives to make it to the next round against Argentina. This obstacle wouldn't be as resilient as in 1972, as the Germans made it to the final easily. There, Beckenbauer would come close to scoring in the final but saw his header fly off the right post and into the stands of the Crvena Zvezda Stadium, although this wouldn't matter as the Mannschaft would win this title as well.
Franz Beckenbauer considered retiring on this title and his subsequent Ballon d'Or, but ended up agreeing to sign for one more season, with his transfer to the New York Cosmos only coming into effect in May of 1977. He would score his 7th and final goal in the Nations League against Portugal in the Round of 16. Led by Beckenbauer, the new German generation would make the run to the final, where Lato and Deyna would get their revenge, scoring their second Nations League victory. This would be Beckenbauer's last game under German colours, having born them 156 times, and having scored 21 times during the course of his long international career.

Franz Beckenbauer with his 1976 Ballon d'Or after the 1976-77 final.

Coach

After the previous coach, Jupp Derwall, completely failed at his task during the 1984 European Championship, Beckenbauer was called to take control of the Mannschaft as a Coach, only a year after the end of his professional career. Things wouldn't start off that well for him, as the Mannschaft would get rinced in the Round of 16 of the Nations League by Argentina, with a 6-1 loss in Buenos Aires. This nearly sent Beckenbauer packing as soon as he arrived, but with the 1986 World Cup coming, the DFB didn't sack him just yet. And the next Nations League would prove them right. Beckenbauer completely rebranded the Mannschaft, putting in back on track, as they swept Mexico, Spain, France and finally Denmark to win the title, his first as a coach. With a finals performance during the World Cup, this would set Beckenbauer in good standing with the German public, even with their early exit the following year against Argentina, or their defeat to the Soviet Union, in 1988.
Franz Beckenbauer continued to work towards the 1990 World Cup, using the Nations League as a means to test out new compositions for the big event, which came closer and closer. In 1989, Beckenbauer would lead his team to a Semi-Final finish where he would be knocked out by a Thijs Libregts-led Netherlands. The following year, Beckenbauer would fall to Italy, but he would end his national career on a World Cup victory later that year, before leaving for Marseille, having won a Nations League title as both player and coach.

Coach Franz Beckenbauer celebrates with his players as they reach the Semi-Finals of the 1988-89 Nations League.


Statistics
Games Played: 53
Goals Scored: 7
Overall Record (player): 4x Titles, 2x Finals, 1x Semi-Final, 2x Quarter-Finals, 3x Round of 16
Overall Record (coach): 1x Title, 1x Semi-Final, 1x Quarter-Final, 2x Round of 16
First game (player): West Germany-Spain 1-0 (Round of 16, 1965-66)
Last game (player): West Germany-Poland 0-2 aet (Final, 1976-77)
First game (coach): West Germany-Argentina 0-1 (Round of 16, 1984-85)
Last game (coach): Italy-Germany 3-1 (Quarter-Finals, 1989-90)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League
As Czechoslovakia:
1957-58 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by France 0-1, 3-1)
1958-59 (2): Quarter-Finals (defeated by the Soviet Union 2-1, 2-1)
1959-60 (3): Round of 16 (defeated by the Soviet Union 8-2, 3-3)
1960-61 (4): Round of 16 (defeated by Scotland 1-1, 2-1)
1961-62 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by Sweden 1-2, 1-0)
1962-63 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by the Soviet Union 2-0, 1-0)
1963-64 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by England 4-3, 1-0)
1964-65 (8): Semi-Finals (defeated by Scotland 2-2, 5-0)
1965-66 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by the Soviet Union 4-2, 4-2)
1966-67 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Portugal 2-0, 0-0)
1967-68 (11): Semi-Finals (defeated by England 4-0, 0-0)
1968-69 (12): Quarter-Finals (defeated by England 0-0, 2-1)
1969-70 (13): Round of 16 (defeated by Italy 3-1, 2-2)
1970-71 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by East Germany 3-3, 1-0)
1971-72 (15): Round of 16 (defeated by Hungary 4-2, 1-1)
1972-73 (16): Round of 16 (defeated by England 2-0, 2-2)
1973-74 (17): Semi-Finals (defeated by Brazil 3-0, 1-2)
1974-75 (18): Semi-Finals (defeated by Poland 0-2, 3-0)
1975-76 (19): Finalists (defeated by West Germany 2-1)
1976-77 (20): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Poland 2-1, 1-1)
1977-78 (21): Finalists (defeated by Argentina 4-1)
1978-79 (22): Quarter-Finals (defeated by the Netherlands 0-0, 3-2)
1979-80 (23): Quarter-Finals (defeated by the Soviet Union 2-3, 2-1)
1980-81 (24): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Wales 0-1, 2-0 aet)
1981-82 (25): Round of 16 (defeated by Argentina 2-1, 1-1)
1982-83 (26): Round of 16 (defeated by the Soviet Union 3-2, 3-3)
1983-84 (27): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Denmark 2-1, 2-3)
1985-86 (28): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 2-1, 2-2)
1987-88 (29): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 2-1, 1-1)
1988-89 (30): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Brazil 2-0, 2-0)
1989-90 (31): Semi-Finals (defeated by Italy 3-0, 0-2)
1990-91 (32): Round of 16 (defeated by Italy 1-0, 2-3)
As the Czech Republic:
1996-97 (1): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Spain 2-2, 4-0)
1997-98 (2): Group Stage (Italy & Brazil finished above)
1998-99 (3): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Argentina 0-0, 2-2)
1999-2000 (4): Second Group Stage (The Netherlands, Sweden & Denmark finished above)
2000-01 (5): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Croatia 2-0, 0-0)
2001-02 (6): Second Group Stage (Ireland & Germany finished above)
2002-03 (7): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 2-1, 5-2)
2003-04 (8): Round of 16 (defeated by Romania 1-5, 4-0)
2004-05 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by Germany 1-2, 1-0)
2005-06 (10): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Poland 4-0, 1-3)
2006-07 (11): Round of 16 (defeated by Argentina 4-1, 1-1)
2007-08 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by Italy 2-2, 3-0)
2008-09 (13): Round of 16 (defeated by Turkey 3-1, 4-0)
2009-10 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by Uruguay 1-2, 1-0)
2010-11 (15): Group Stage (Spain & the United States finished above)
2012-13 (16): Group Stage (Portugal & Russia finished above)
2013-14 (17): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 2-1, 1-0)
2015-16 (18): Group Stage (Ukraine & Croatia finished above)

World League (1 title)
As Czechoslovakia:
1984-85 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Switzerland 2-1, 1-0)
1986-87 (2): Semi-Finals (defeated by Yugoslavia 3-0, 1-2)
1991-92 (3): Round of 32 (defeated by Cameroon 1-2, 3-0)
1992-93 (4): Round of 32 (defeated by Northern Ireland 1-0, 2-1)
1993-94 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by Greece 3-1, 0-0)
As the Czech Republic:
1994-95 (1): Round of 32 (defeated by Ghana 2-0, 1-0)
1995-96 (2): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 1-0, 4-0)
2010-11 (3): Round of 32 (defeated by Cameroon 2-2, 1-1)
2011-12 (4): Round of 32 (defeated by Mexico 0-2, 3-1)
2012-13 (5): Round of 32 (defeated by Morocco 1-2, 3-2)
2014-15 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Slovenia 0-2, 4-0)
2015-16 (7): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Poland 2-1, 2-2 aet)
2016-17 (8): Group Stage (Venezuela & Benin finished above)
2017-18 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by Cameroon 3-0, 3-2)
2018-19 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Curacao 3-1, 1-1)
2019-20 (11): Winners, vs Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-0
2020-21 (12): Semi-Finals (defeated by Australia 1-1, 2-0)

World Challenge
2000 (1): Finalists (defeated by France 4-0)
2005 (2): 4th place (defeated by Japan 2-0)

Stadiums Used
Prague (Letensky Stadion/Toyota Arena/Axa Arena/Generali Arena) - 57 games
Bratislava (Tehelne Pole) - 21
Prague (Stadion Evzena Rosickeho) - 18
Teplice (Na Stinadlech) - 14
Prague (Strahovsky Stadion) - 9
Liberec (Stadion u Nisy) - 8
Ostrava (Bazaly) - 8
Jablonec (Strelnice Stadion) - 7
Mlada Boleslav (Mestsky Stadion) - 7
Plzen (Struncovy Stadion/Doosan Arena) - 7
Prague (Stadion Eden/SynotTip Arena/Eden Arena/Sinobo Stadion) - 7
Brno (Stadion Za Luzankami) - 6
Olomouc (Andruv Stadion) - 4
Prague (FK Viktoria Stadion) - 3
Kosice (Vsesportovy Areal) - 2
Pribram (Na Litavce) - 2
Drnovice (Sportovni Areal) - 1
Prague (Dolicek Stadion) - 1

Records
Largest win (as Czechoslovakia): 6-0 vs North Korea, 1967-68; 6-0 vs Romania, 1975-76
Largest win (as the Czech Republic): 6-0 vs the FR Yugoslavia, 1998-99
Heaviest loss (as Czechoslovakia): 2-8 vs the Soviet Union, 1959-60
Heaviest loss (as the Czech Republic): 0-5 vs Brazil, 1997-98; 2-7 vs Spain, 2003-04
First game (Nations League, Czechoslovakia): Czechoslovakia-France 1-0 (Round of 16, 1957-58)
Last game (Nations League, Czechoslovakia): Czechoslovakia-Italy 3-2 (Round of 16, 1990-91)
First game (Nations League, Czech Republic): Czech Republic-Netherlands 3-0 (Group Stage, 1996-97)
First game (World League, Czechoslovakia): Czechoslovakia-Canada 3-1 (Round of 32, 1984-85)
Last game (World League, Czechoslovakia): Greece-Czechoslovakia 0-0 (Round of 16, 1993-94)
First game (World League, Czech Republic): Czech Republic-Ghana 2-0 (Round of 32, 1994-95)
First game (World Challenge): Czech Republic-Mexico 1-0 (Group Stage, 2000)

 

[Wings]

Public was once more allowed in Barranquilla as Uruguay and Australia faced off in the final of the World League. Unfortunately for the Wallabies, only a handful of Aussie fans attended, while the Uruguayans could count on five thousand Celeste fans present in the coastal colombian city, ready to chase down the first World League title for Uruguay. And the Celeste started slow, not giving the Australians any possibilities of scoring, but not creating any chances till the 23rd minute, with Luis Suarez seeing his shot blocked by Matthew Ryan. A few minutes later, Cavani would take a shot at goal, but he too would miss, blowing his shot past the right post. Australia would score a chance before half-time, but Aaron Mooy, who had done a decent run through the Uruguayan defense, came too short as Godin stripped away the ball before he could go all the way with it. And to add insule to injury, Uruguay got the last chance of the first half, with Caceres' header being saved yet again by Ryan, keeping the game level.
Uruguay didn't slow down during the second half, instead accelerating it as they pushed forwards, bringing the whole block forwards as well. Slowly but surely, the Aussies were pushed back, until it finally cracked. A ball sent by De la Cruz found Valverde, which crossed the ball straight to Cavani. The Manchester United forward didn't need a second chance as he sent the ball into the back of Ryan's net, scoring Uruguay's first goal of the game. The Celeste didn't give themselves some room to breathe though, as they continued to push forwards, with Suarez nearly making it two, his shot gracefully going around the left post, while Valverde would also miss a good chance 80 minutes into the game. Cavani even had the chance to make it two himself a few moments later, but this time Ryan saved it on his line. Despite this, Australia never really found their mark, and Uruguay strolled to their first ever win, taking down Australia by a single goal to attach a bronze star to their crest, alongside their four golden and one silver.

Spoiler

Cavani celebrates with his teammates as he scores the first and only goal of the final

 

[Wings]

History

Participations

Finish

Notes:
All CONMEBOL members have participated in the World League
Bolivia, Colombia, Peru & Venezuela are the only CONMEBOL members to have not won the World League
7 UEFA nations have not participated in the World League: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Gibraltar, San Marino, Kosovo and Kazakhstan

The largest country to not have participated in the World League is India (AFC)
The most populated country to not have participated in the World League is India (AFC)
The smallest country to have participated in the World League is Saint Kitts and Nevis (CONCACAF)
The least populated country to have participated in the World League is the Faroe Islands (UEFA)
The wealthiest country (GDP/capita, IMF, 2021) to not have participated in the World League is Singapore (AFC)
The poorest country (GDP/capita, IMF, 2021) to have participated in the World League is Syria (AFC)
The wealthiest country (GDP, IMF, 2021) to not have participated in the World League is India (AFC)
The poorest country (GDP, IMF, 2021) to have participated in the World League is Saint Kitts and Nevis (CONCACAF)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League (1 title)
1970-71 (1): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Brazil 2-0, 1-0)
1992-93 (2): Finalists (defeated by France 2-1)
1994-95 (3): Group Stage (Germany & Norway finished above)
1995-96 (4): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Mexico 1-0, 1-1)
1996-97 (5): Group Stage (France, South Africa & Russia finished above)
1997-98 (6): Group Stage (Spain & Bulgaria finished above)
1998-99 (7): Group Stage (France finished above)
1999-2000 (8): Group Stage (Brazil, Paraguay & Zambia finished above)
2000-01 (9): Group Stage (The Czech Republic & Turkey finished above)
2001-02 (10): Second Group Stage (Argentina, Spain & Russia finished above)
2002-03 (11): Group Stage (The Czech Republic & Mexico finished above)
2003-04 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by England 2-1, 1-1)
2004-05 (13): Group Stage (Germany, Spain & Uruguay finished above)
2005-06 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by the Netherlands 1-1, 0-0)
2006-07 (15): Group Stage (The Czech Republic & Portugal finished above)
2007-08 (16): Group Stage (Sweden & the Czech Republic finished above)
2008-09 (17): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Romania 3-2, 1-1)
2012-13 (18): Round of 16 (defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-0, 3-2)
2013-14 (19): Round of 16 (defeated by Germany 4-2, 2-1)
2014-15 (20): Winners, vs Argentina 2-1 aet
2015-16 (21): Round of 16 (defeated by Portugal 1-1, 2-2)
2016-17 (22): Group Stage (Brazil & Costa Rica finished above)
2017-18 (23): Group Stage (Egypt & Costa Rica finished above)
2018-19 (24): Round of 16 (defeated by the Netherlands 0-0, 1-0 aet)
2019-20 (25): Group Stage (Ireland, Spain & the United States finished above)
2020-21 (26): Group Stage (Belgium & Sweden finished above)
2021-22 (27): Group Stage (England & Colombia finished above)

World League
1974-75 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Mexico 3-1, 1-1)
1975-76 (2): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Chile 2-0, 1-2)
1984-85 (3): Round of 32 (defeated by Morocco 2-0, 1-1)
1985-86 (4): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Wales 3-2, 0-0)
1986-87 (5): Round of 32 (defeated by Ghana 2-3, 4-2)
1987-88 (6): Round of 32 (defeated by Norway 1-1, 2-0)
1988-89 (7): Round of 32 (defeated by Australia 1-1, 1-0)
1989-90 (8): Round of 32 (defeated by Ecuador 2-1, 1-1)
1990-91 (9): Round of 32 (defeated by Northern Ireland 0-1, 3-0)
1991-92 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Greece 1-1, 2-2)
1993-94 (11): Round of 32 (defeated by South Korea 1-3, 2-0)
2000-01 (12): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Tunisia 3-2, 3-2)
2002-03 (13): Round of 32 (defeated by Egypt 2-1, 1-1)
2006-07 (14): Quarter-Finals (defeated by the Ivory Coast 6-1, 0-0)
2007-08 (15): Round of 16 (defeated by South Korea 3-1, 1-1)
2009-10 (16): Semi-Finals (defeated by Ghana 3-1, 2-0)
2010-11 (17): Round of 16 (defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, 1-0)
2011-12 (18): Group Stage (Lithuania & Tunisia finished above)
2016-17 (19): Round of 32 (defeated by Japan 5-2, 2-1)
2017-18 (20): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Hungary 3-1, 2-1)
2020-21 (21): Round of 16 (defeated by the DR Congo 2-2, 4-0)
2021-22 (22):

Stadiums Used
Bogota (El Campin) - 47 games
Barranquilla (Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Melendez) - 41
Medellin (Estadio Atanasio Girardot) - 19
Cali (Estadio Pascual Guerrero) - 14
Ibague (Estadio Murillo Toro) - 6
Bogota (Estadio Metropolitano de Techo) - 3
San Juan de Pasto (Estadio Departamental Libertad) - 3
Cali (Estadio Deportivo Cali) - 2
Manizales (Estadio Palogrande) - 2
Neiva (Estadio Guillermo Plazas Alcid) - 2
Tulua (Estadio Doce de Octubre) - 2
Boyaca (Estadio de la Independencia) - 1
Cucuta (Estadio General Santander) - 1

Records
Largest win: 6-0 vs Russia, 1996-97
Heaviest loss: 1-6 vs Japan, 2001-02
First game (Nations League): Uruguay-Colombia 0-1 (Round of 16, 1970-71)
First game (World League): Egypt-Colombia 2-2 (Round of 32, 1974-75)

 

[Wings]

The 2021 Nations League final would be an all-european one, with Belgium facing off against France in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup Semi-Final. For the first time, fans would be allowed in the Paul Biya Stadium, although only a handful would actually fly from France and Belgium, with most fans being french and belgian citizens living in Cameroon and other places in africa, with 50% of the fans coming from local areas, for a total of around 14000 fans allowed in the stadium.
Belgium were the first on the ball, with Lukaku sending a first shot directly into Lloris' arms, a feat which he repeated three times before the fifteen minute mark. A few minutes later, Meunier found Vertonghen, but his header went slightly off the right post. As both teams locked horns, none managed to get an advantage, as it was more of a battle for the midfield rather than anything else. France's first occasion backfired spectacularly. Indeed, while Griezmann crossed for Giroud, the frenchman missed and Courtois immediately sent Meunier running, who crossed for Tielemans, with the belgian midfielder crucifying Lloris to open the score ten minutes before half-time. Belgium would get a final chance after a foul by Kante, which would lead to De Bruyne finding a good free-kick but no Belgian heads. Nevertheless, the Red Devils headed to half-time with a 1-0 lead.
Belgium made one change at half-time, with a mostly ineffective Thorgen Hazard being replaced by Castagne, but this wouldn't bring relief to the Belgian midfield, leading to both Alderweireld and Denayer being booked. With still no chances coming their way, France decided to substitute out Giroud and Coman, who were replaced by Benzema, for his first game in the french squad in six years, and Ben Yedder. This seemed to have worked, with Ben Yedder finding Mbappe, who locked a good ball for Benzema. The frenchman's strike however, was pushed back by Courtois who had to come up with his first big save of the game. However, Belgium would not falter, with De Bruyne making a good run through the french defense, giving the ball to Mertens, who gave it back to De Bruyne, who beat Lloris once again, making it 2-0 for Belgium. The K.O strike was accomplished, and from then on Belgium didn't let go off of their lead. France did have a last minute chance, with Lucas Hernandez' strike flying slightly over the bar, with Courtois being beaten. With this last chance blown, Belgium scored their second win in a row, the first time a team has achieved this such a feat since Brazil in 1981 and 1982.

Spoiler

Belgian celebrations after Tielemans' opening goal

France's Benzema readies himself to take the pitch for the national team for the first time in six years

Belgian players celebrate after the final whistle is blown

 

[Wings]

Winners: Belgium - 2nd title
Top Scorer: Robert Lewandowski (POL) - 9 goals
Top Assists: Luuk de Jong (NED) - 6 assists

 

[Wings]

Overview​

The Di Stefano Trophy rewards the best performing "smallest" nation of the Nations League.

Performances by Nation

Results

Participations

​

The largest country to not have participated in the Nations League is Canada (CONCACAF)
The most populated country to not have participated in the Nations League is PR China (AFC)
The smallest country to have participated in the Nations League is Trinidad and Tobago (CONCACAF)
The least populated country to have participated in the Nations League is the Iceland (UEFA)
The wealthiest country (GDP/capita, IMF, 2021) to not have participated in the Nations League is Luxembourg (UEFA)
The poorest country (GDP/capita, IMF, 2021) to have participated in the Nations League is Mali (CAF)
The wealthiest country (GDP, IMF, 2021) to not have participated in the Nations League is PR China (AFC)
The poorest country (GDP, IMF, 2021) to have participated in the Nations League is Montenegro (UEFA)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League (1 title)
1958-59 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 1-1, 4-0)
1998-99 (2): Group Stage (Croatia, the Netherlands & Zambia finished above)
1999-2000 (3): Second Group Stage (France & Croatia finished above)
2000-01 (4): Second Group Stage (The Czech Republic & Chile finished above)
2001-02 (5): Group Stage (Japan, Colombia & Denmark finished above)
2002-03 (6): Second Group Stage (Mexico & Brazil finished above)
2003-04 (7): Group Stage (Mexico, Senegal & Japan finished above)
2004-05 (8): Group Stage (Mexico & Ireland finished above)
2005-06 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by Argentina 0-0, 1-1)
2006-07 (10): Group Stage (The Netherlands, Uruguay & Ghana finished above)
2007-08 (11): Round of 16 (defeated by Argentina 1-1, 0-0)
2008-09 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by the Netherlands 2-1, 3-0)
2009-10 (13): Group Stage (Uruguay, Romania & England finished above)
2010-11 (14): Winners, vs Uruguay 1-1 aet 6-5 p
2011-12 (15): Round of 16 (defeated by Croatia 0-2, 4-2)
2013-14 (16): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 3-0, 1-1)
2014-15 (17): Group Stage (Germany & Romania finished above)
2015-16 (18): Group Stage (Italy, Romania & Switzerland finished above)
2016-17 (19): Round of 16 (defeated by France 1-1, 4-1)
2017-18 (20): Group Stage (Spain & Portugal finished above)
2018-19 (21): Round of 16 (defeated by the Republic of Ireland 3-1, 2-1)
2019-20 (22): Group Stage (Ireland & Spain finished above)
2020-21 (23): Group Stage (France & Switzerland finished above)
2021-22 (24): Group Stage (Czech Republic, Peru & Portugal finished above)

World League
1986-87 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by South Korea 1-2, 2-0)
1988-89 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by Ecuador 1-1, 3-1 aet)
1990-91 (3): Round of 32 (defeated by Switzerland 5-0, 0-3)
1991-92 (4): Finalists (defeated by Switzerland 1-0, 0-0)
1993-94 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by Nigeria 3-1, 2-2)
1994-95 (6): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Poland 6-0, 1-0)
1995-96 (7): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 0-1, 3-0)
1996-97 (8): Round of 32 (defeated by Belgium 3-0, 2-0)
1997-98 (9): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Belgium 2-0, 2-1)
2004-05 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Australia 3-2, 2-2)
2012-13 (11): Round of 32 (defeated by the Ivory Coast 0-0, 1-0)
2014-15 (12): Finalists (defeated by Uzbekistan 3-0)
2017-18 (13): Round of 32 (defeated by Algeria 1-2, 2-0)
2019-20 (14): Semi-Finals (defeated by the Czech Republic 4-3 aet)
2020-21 (15): Round of 32 (defeated by Portugal 3-2, 0-1)

World Challenge
2008 (1): Finalists (defeated by Spain 3-1)
2009 (2): 3rd place (defeated by Spain 2-0 aet)
2010 (3): Winners, vs Spain 2-0
2013 (4): 6th place (defeated by the Ivory Coast 2-1)

Stadiums Used
Pasadena (Rose Bowl) - 13 games
Chicago (Soldier Field) - 8
Dallas (Cotton Bowl) - 6
Foxborough (Gillette Stadium) - 6
Seattle (Qwest Field/CenturyLink Field) - 6
Washington DC (Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium) - 6
Carson (Home Depot Center/Dignity Health Sports Park) - 5
Harrison (Red Bull Arena) - 5
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium) - 5
Portland (Portland Civic Stadium/Jeld-Wen Field/Providence Park) - 5
Houston (Robertson Stadium) - 4
Los Angeles (Memorial Coliseum) - 4
Miami (Orange Bowl) - 4
Sandy (Rio Tinto Stadium) - 4
Commerce City (Dick's Sporting Goods Park) - 3
Columbus (Columbus Crew Stadium/Mapfre Stadium) - 3
Denver (Invesco Field at Mile High) - 3
East Rutherford (Giants Stadium) - 3
Foxborough (Foxboro Stadium) - 3
Frisco (Pizza Hut Park/Toyota Stadium) - 3
Houston (BBVA Stadium) - 3
Kansas City (Livestrong Sporting Park/Sporting Park/Children's Mercy Park) - 3
Stanford (Stanford Stadium) - 3
Anaheim (Anaheim Stadium) - 2
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) - 2
Bridgeview (Toyota Park) - 2
Chester (Subaru Park) - 2
Fenton (St.Louis Soccer Park) - 2
New York (Yankee Stadium) - 2
San Jose (Spartan Stadium) - 2
Santa Clara (Buck Shaw Stadium) - 2
Fort Lauderdale (Lockhart Stadium) - 1
New Britain (Veterans Stadium) - 1
Orlando (Exploria Stadium) - 1
Pontiac (Silverdome) - 1
Richmond (University of Richmond Stadium) - 1
Saint Paul (Allianz Field) - 1
Torrance (Murdock Stadium) - 1

Records
Largest win: 4-0 vs the Ivory Coast, 2011-12; 4-0 vs Mexico, 2018-19
Heaviest loss: 0-8 vs Spain, 2019-20
First game (Nations League): United States-Brazil 1-1 (Round of 16, 1958-59)
First game (World League): Republic of Ireland-United States 1-1 (Round of 32, 1986-87)
First game (World Challenge): Cameroon-United States 0-1 aet (Quarter-Finals, 2008)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League (2 titles)
1955-56 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by West Germany 2-1, 2-1)
1970-71 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by the Soviet Union 2-0, 1-0)
1971-72 (3): Round of 16 (defeated by West Germany 3-0, 2-1)
1972-73 (4): Semi-Finals (defeated by the Netherlands 0-0, 1-1)
1973-74 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 3-0, 1-3)
1974-75 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Yugoslavia 2-0, 1-0)
1975-76 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Italy 2-0, 1-0)
1978-79 (8): Round of 16 (defeated by the Netherlands 4-0, 2-3)
1979-80 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by Wales 0-0, 2-0)
1980-81 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Spain 1-2, 3-1)
1981-82 (11): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 1-0, 1-2)
1982-83 (12): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Poland 3-2, 0-1)
1984-85 (13): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 3-1, 3-0)
1991-92 (14): Group Stage (Denmark & Argentina finished above)
2000-01 (15): Semi-Finals (defeated by Croatia 0-0, 1-0 aet)
2001-02 (16): Group Stage (Argentina & Romania finished above)
2002-03 (17): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Brazil 2-1, 2-0)
2003-04 (18): Group Stage (Spain, the Czech Republic & South Korea finished above)
2004-05 (19): Group Stage (Japan, Italy & England finished above)
2013-14 (20): Group Stage (Germany, Ukraine & Chile finished above)
2014-15 (21): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Colombia 4-1, 1-0)
2015-16 (22): Round of 16 (defeated by France 0-0, 4-2)
2016-17 (23): Round of 16 (defeated by the Netherlands 1-1, 1-1 aet 4-3 p)
2017-18 (24): Round of 16 (defeated by Spain 3-2, 1-0)
2018-19 (25): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 1-0, 0-0)
2019-20 (26): Winners, vs Brazil 2-0
2020-21 (27): Winners, vs France 2-0

World League (2 titles)
1976-77 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Sweden 9-0, 3-0)
1977-78 (2): Finalists (defeated by Sweden 2-0, 3-1)
1983-84 (3): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Chile 1-0, 1-0)
1985-86 (4): Winners, vs Wales 1-1, 4-0
1986-87 (5): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Bulgaria 3-1, 2-0)
1987-88 (6): Winners, vs Denmark 2-0, 0-0
1988-89 (7): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Argentina 3-0, 5-0)
1989-90 (8): Round of 16 (defeated by Greece 3-3, 1-1)
1990-91 (9): Finalists (defeated by Australia 2-0, 2-0)
1992-93 (10): Finalists (defeated by Ireland 0-1, 2-0)
1993-94 (11): Round of 16 (defeated by Poland 1-0, 1-2)
1994-95 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by Japan 2-0, 0-0)
1995-96 (13): Round of 16 (defeated by the Czech Republic 2-0, 1-1)
1996-97 (14): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Scotland 3-2, 3-2)
1997-98 (15): Finalists (defeated by Croatia 1-0)
1998-99 (16): Finalists (defeated by Paraguay 1-0)
1999-2000 (17): Round of 32 (defeated by Japan 2-0, 1-1)
2001-02 (18): Round of 32 (defeated by England 2-0, 1-1)
2005-06 (19): Round of 16 (defeated by Sweden 4-1, 0-0)
2006-07 (20): Group Stage (Morocco, Qatar, Iran & Finland finished above)
2007-08 (21): Round of 32 (defeated by Ghana 3-1, 0-0)
2008-09 (22): Group Stage (Qatar, Morocco, Ecuador & Lithuania finished above)
2009-10 (23): Round of 32 (defeated by Bolivia 3-1, 2-2)
2010-11 (24): Group Stage (Ireland & Iceland finished above)
2011-12 (25): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Algeria 0-1, 1-0 aet 5-3 p)
2012-13 (26): Group Stage (South Africa & Zambia finished above)

World Challenge
2015 (1): 4th place (defeated by New Zealand 2-1 aet)
2018 (2): 3rd place (defeated by Mexico 2-1 aet)
2019 (3): Winners, vs Brazil 3-0 aet
2020 (4): Winners, vs Brazil 2-0

Stadiums Used
Brussels (Stade du Heysel/Stade Roi Baudouin) - 59 games
Brussels (Stade du Parc de Meir/Stade Constant Vanden Stock/Lotto Park) - 36
Brugge (Olympiastadion/Jan Breydelstadion) - 19
Liege (Stade de Sclessin/Stade Maurice-Dufrasne) - 18
Ghent (Jules Ottenstadion) - 9
Ghent (Fenixstadion/Cristal Arena/Luminus Arena) - 8
Ghent (Ghelamco Arena) - 5
Antwerp (Bosuilstadion) - 4
Charleroi (Stade du Pays de Charleroi) - 4
Lokeren (Daknamstadion) - 3
Waregem (Regenboogstadion) - 3
Kotrijk (Guldensporenstadion) - 2
Ostend (Albertparkstadion/Versluys Arena) - 2
Antwerp (Olympiastadion) - 1
Brugge (Albert Dyserynckstadion) - 1

Records
Largest win: 6-0 vs South Africa, 2000-01
Heaviest loss: 3-8 vs Poland, 2016-17
First game (Nations League): West Germany-Belgium 2-1 (Round of 16, 1955-56)
First game (World League): Belgium-Chile 3-1 (Round of 32, 1976-77)
First game (World Challenge): Belgium-Mexico 1-2 aet (Semi-Finals, 2015)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League (1 title)
1955-56 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 5-0, 3-0)
1956-57 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by Argentina 6-1, 3-2)
1999-2000 (3): Second Group Stage (France, Croatia & the United States finished above)
2000-01 (4): Group Stage (The Czech Republic, Turkey & Colombia finished above)
2001-02 (5): Group Stage (Uruguay, the Czech Republic & South Africa finished above)
2002-03 (6): Group Stage (England & the Netherlands finished above)
2003-04 (7): Group Stage (Portugal, Colombia & the Netherlands finished above)
2004-05 (8): Winners, vs Ireland 2-0
2006-07 (9): Group Stage (Spain & Switzerland finished above)
2007-08 (10): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Sweden 0-2, 3-0)
2008-09 (11): Group Stage (Spain & the United States finished above)
2009-10 (12): Group Stage (Northern Ireland, Australia & Italy finished above)
2010-11 (13): Group Stage (Australia, Germany & the Ivory Coast finished above)
2011-12 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by Peru 4-1, 2-4)
2012-13 (15): Group Stage (Japan, Spain & the Ivory Coast finished above)
2018-19 (16): Group Stage (France, Argentina & Peru finished above)

World League (1 title)
1971-72 (1): Round of 32 (defeated by Morocco 2-1, 9-0)
1972-73 (2): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 2-0, 1-2)
1973-74 (3): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 2-0, 2-0)
1974-75 (4): Round of 32 (defeated by Australia 1-1, 5-5)
1975-76 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by France 5-0, 1-0)
1976-77 (6): Round of 32 (defeated by Mali 4-1, 4-0)
1977-78 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Peru 3-2, 3-0)
1978-79 (8): Finalists (defeated by Scotland 3-2, 1-1)
1979-80 (9): Round of 32 (defeated by Turkey 2-0, 1-1)
1980-81 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Greece 1-1, 1-0)
1981-82 (11): Round of 32 (defeated by Sweden 2-1, 2-2)
1982-83 (12): Semi-Finals (defeated by Scotland 2-0, 0-0)
1983-84 (13): Round of 32 (defeated by Canada 1-1, 2-1)
1984-85 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by Norway 1-1, 3-1)
1985-86 (15): Round of 16 (defeated by Colombia 0-2, 3-0)
1986-87 (16): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Morocco 2-1, 1-0)
1987-88 (17): Round of 32 (defeated by Algeria 1-2, 2-0)
1988-89 (18): Round of 16 (defeated by Argentina 1-0, 3-0)
1989-90 (19): Round of 32 (defeated by Canada 0-1, 2-0 aet)
1990-91 (20): Round of 32 (defeated by Honduras 1-1, 3-1 aet)
1991-92 (21): Round of 32 (defeated by Nigeria 1-1, 3-1)
1992-93 (22): Round of 16 (defeated by Northern Ireland 0-1, 3-1)
1996-97 (23): Round of 32 (defeated by Chile 1-1, 2-1 aet)
1997-98 (24): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Yugoslavia 1-0, 1-2)
1998-99 (25): Winners, vs Belgium 1-0
2002-03 (26): Round of 16 (defeated by Spain 2-1, 1-0)
2005-06 (27): Round of 32 (defeated by Costa Rica 2-2, 2-0)
2006-07 (28): Round of 32 (defeated by Serbia 3-1, 0-1)
2008-09 (29): Round of 16 (defeated by Wales 1-0, 2-2)
2013-14 (30): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Wales 1-0, 1-1)
2014-15 (31): Group Stage (Japan & Burkina Faso finished above)
2015-16 (32): Round of 32 (defeated by Congo 3-0, 2-2)
2016-17 (33): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Spain 2-3, 3-1)
2017-18 (34): Group Stage (The Ivory Coast & Albania finished above)
2019-20 (35): Group Stage (Qatar & Australia finished above)
2020-21 (36): Group Stage (The Czech Republic, the Ivory Coast & Cape Verde finished above)

Stadiums Used
Asuncion (Estadio Puerto Sajonia/Estadio Defensores del Chaco) - 79 games
Asuncion (Estadio Dr. Nicolas Leoz) - 15
Asuncion (Estadio General Pablo Rojas) - 14
Asuncion (Estadio Manuel Ferreira) - 13
Asuncion (Estadio Rogelio Livieres) - 9
Asuncion (Estadio Arsenio Erico) - 4
Asuncion (Estadio Roberto Bettega) - 3
Luque (Estadio Feliciano Caceres) - 2
Asuncion (Estadio Luciano Zacarias) - 1
Ciudad del Este (Estadio Antonio Aranda) - 1
Itaugua (Estadio Juan Canuto Pettengill) - 1
Villa Elisa (Estadio Luis Alfonso Giagni) - 1

Records
Largest win: 4-0 vs Croatia, 2011-12
Heaviest loss: 0-5 vs Brazil, 1955-56; 1-6 vs Argentina, 1956-57; 1-6 vs Australia, 2010-11
First game (Nations League): Brazil-Paraguay 5-0 (Round of 16, 1955-56)
First game (World League): Paraguay-Morocco 1-2 (Round of 32, 1970-71)

 

[Wings]

The football associations of West and East Germanies had always maintained a friendly rivalry. However, this rivalry never got the chance to manifest itself, not even in club confrontations, with every german club seemingly avoiding the other in the European Cup or the UEFA Cup. The state of the rivalry was the same on a national team level, with neither team meeting, even for a friendly match.
Therefore, when the matches got drawn for the Round of 16 of the 1968-69 Nations League, people were excited to see the squads of West and East Germany face each other. Due to this unprecedented event, both federations withdrew their initial stadiums (Hamburg and Leipzig) in favor of organising the games in West Berlin's Olympiastadion and East Berlin's Walter-Ulbricht Stadion.
West Germany hosted the first game, with around 75,000 fans attending the first leg and first face-off between the two nations. This game wasn't even close, although the early stages certainly made it seem so. Gerd Muller scored the first goal for the West after 4 minutes, with Vogel answering around ten minutes later. "Der Bomber" wasn't finished, though, as he sent another ball flying into the eastern net soon after. This was, however, met by another Eastern goal, scored by Kreische. Not to be undermined, Muller came up with another goal less than four minutes later, bringing the scoreline to 3-2 at half-time.
The first part of the second-half was uneventful, but East Germany brought it back despite being dominated in possession, with Vogel finding Lowe, who equalized at the 61st minute. The Westerners were destabilized, but a setpiece would come to liberate them ten minutes following the Lowe goal, with Overath heading in the ball during a corner kick. This time though, the East couldn't answer it, and Muller would score his fourth and final goal of the game five minutes later, sealing the deal for the West.

With a 2-0 win all that was needed to go through, the Easterners still had hope to make it to the Quarter-Finals. However, the Westerners would soon put that dream to rest. After only 36 seconds of play, Fichtel scored thanks to a pass from Haller, who would go on to score himself, putting the game at 2-0 for the West after only 10 minutes. The East didn't give up though, and Rock scored a goal after 20 minutes, while Vogel would equalize.
Fans expected another high-goal game, but this wasn't to be. Scared that the East would score more, Beckenbauer led a defensive block, with five defenders instead of the usual four, to stop the East from scoring any more goals, and securing the qualification for the future winners.

Despite his four goals in the home game, Gerd Muller only scored two more goals this tournament, while the two teams would only meet once more, at the 1974 World Cup, where East Germany defeated the West 1-0.

East and West German players in action during the chaotic first leg

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League (1 title)
1991-92 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Argentina 5-0, 1-1)
1992-93 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by Denmark 2-0, 1-0)
1998-99 (3): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 2-1, 2-1)
1999-2000 (4): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Spain 0-0, 4-2)
2000-01 (5): Winners, vs Spain 3-2 aet
2001-02 (6): Group Stage (Portugal & Costa Rica finished above)
2002-03 (7): Group Stage (Brazil & Uruguay finished above)
2003-04 (8): Group Stage (Portugal, Colombia & the Netherlands finished above)
2004-05 (9): Group Stage (Portugal & Brazil finished above)
2005-06 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by South Korea 3-0, 1-2)
2006-07 (11): Round of 16 (defeated by Portugal 3-2, 1-1)
2007-08 (12): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Italy 2-0, 1-2)
2008-09 (13): Round of 16 (defeated by England 3-0, 1-1)
2009-10 (14): Semi-Finals (defeated by Uruguay 3-0, 0-0)
2010-11 (15): Group Stage (Argentina & Denmark finished above)
2011-12 (16): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Peru 0-0, 3-1)
2012-13 (17): Group Stage (The Netherlands & Ecuador finished above)
2013-14 (18): Group Stage (Ecuador & Greece finished above)
2014-15 (19): Round of 16 (defeated by Belgium 2-0, 0-0)
2015-16 (20): Round of 16 (defeated by Italy 1-1, 0-0)
2016-17 (21): Group Stage (Chile & Ecuador finished above)
2017-18 (22): Round of 16 (defeated by France 1-0, 3-2)
2018-19 (23): Group Stage (Tunisia & Ireland finished above)
2019-20 (24): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 1-0, 3-1)
2020-21 (25): Group Stage (Tunisia, Wales & Mexico finished above)
2021-22 (26): Group Stage (Switzerland, Belgium & Tunisia finished above)

World League (2 titles)
1996-97 (1): Winners, vs Argentina 2-1, 1-1
1997-98 (2): Winners, vs Belgium 1-0
2001-02 (3): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Scotland 1-1, 0-0)
2002-03 (4): Round of 16 (defeated by Greece 4-0, 1-1)
2004-05 (5): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Uruguay 2-1, 0-0)
2010-11 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Mexico 0-1, 3-0 aet)
2012-13 (7): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Ukraine 3-1, 2-0)
2013-14 (8): Round of 32 (defeated by Zambia 1-0, 1-0)
2016-17 (9): Finalists (defeated by Spain 3-1)
2018-19 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Ghana 4-3, 2-2)

Stadiums Used
Zagreb (Stadion Maksimir) - 76 games
Split (Stadion Poljud) - 23
Rijeka (Stadion Kantrida) - 13
Osijek (Stadion Gradski vrt) - 6
Koprivnica (Stadion Gradski) - 3
Zagreb (Stadion Kranjcevic) - 2
Split (Stadion Park mladezi) - 1
Varazdin (Stadion Varteks) - 1
Vinkovci (Stadion HNK Cibalia) - 1

Records
Largest win: 7-0 vs Hungary, 2013-14
Heaviest loss: 0-5 vs Argentina, 1991-92; 0-5 vs Portugal, 1999-2000; 0-5 vs Spain, 2009-10
First game (Nations League): Argentina-Croatia 5-0 (Round of 16, 1991-92)
First game (World League): Croatia-Jamaica 2-0 (Round of 32, 1996-97)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League (1 title)
1992-93 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Italy 2-0, 1-2)
1993-94 (2): Group Stage (France & Spain finished above)
1994-95 (3): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Italy 0-1, 3-0)
1995-96 (4): Winners, vs Spain 1-0 aet
1997-98 (5): Group Stage (The Netherlands & England finished above)
1998-99 (6): Finalists (defeated by France 3-2 aet)
1999-2000 (7): Group Stage (Spain & Denmark finished above)
2000-01 (8): Group Stage (Italy, Chile & Tunisia finished above)
2001-02 (9): Group Stage (Ireland, France & England finished above)
2003-04 (10): Round of 16 (defeated by Senegal 2-1, 1-1)
2008-09 (11): Group Stage (Colombia, Romania & Germany finished above)
2010-11 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by Australia 1-1, 2-1 aet)
2011-12 (13): Group Stage (Switzerland, Germany & Australia finished above)
2012-13 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by the Netherlands 5-2, 2-0)
2013-14 (15): Group Stage (England & Portugal finished above)

World League
1981-82 (1): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Chile 3-1, 0-1)
1983-84 (2): Round of 32 (defeated by Hungary 2-0, 1-2)
1984-85 (3): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Mexico 2-3, 4-1)
1985-86 (4): Round of 32 (defeated by Egypt 1-1, 3-1)
1986-87 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by Bulgaria 4-1, 0-1)
1987-88 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Denmark 2-0, 1-1)
1988-89 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Algeria 4-0, 0-1)
1989-90 (8): Round of 32 (defeated by Switzerland 4-1, 0-1)
1990-91 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by Chile 3-1, 1-1)
1991-92 (10): Round of 32 (defeated by the United States 3-1, 2-0)
1996-97 (11): Round of 16 (defeated by Croatia 3-0, 3-0)
1999-2000 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by Cameroon 4-0, 1-0)
2002-03 (13): Round of 32 (defeated by Chile 2-0, 1-0)
2004-05 (14): Group Stage (Honduras, Serbia and Montenegro & Trinidad and Tobago finished above)
2005-06 (15): Round of 16 (defeated by England 1-1, 3-0)
2006-07 (16): Group Stage (Slovakia, Venezuela, Albania & Russia finished above)
2007-08 (17): Group Stage (South Korea, Zambia & Iran finished above)
2009-10 (18): Group Stage (Mali & Egypt finished above)
2013-14 (19): Round of 32 (defeated by Australia 0-2, 2-0 aet 4-3 p)
2014-15 (20): Group Stage (Wales & Israel finished above)
2015-16 (21): Group Stage (Tunisia & the UAE finished above)
2016-17 (22): Round of 32 (defeated by Iran 2-0, 4-1)
2018-19 (23): Round of 32 (defeated by Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-2, 1-1)
2019-20 (24): Quarter-Finals (defeated by the Czech Republic 7-2)
2020-21 (25): Group Stage (The DR Congo & Costa Rica finished above)

Stadiums Used
Oslo (Ullevaal Stadion) - 59
Trondheim (Lerkendal Stadion) - 16
Molde (Aker Stadion) - 9
Bergen (Brann Stadion) - 8
Baerum (Nadderud Stadion) - 5
Tromso (Alfheim Stadion) - 4
Drammen (Marienlyst Stadion) - 3
Bodo (Aspmyra Stadion) - 2
Lillestrom (Arasen Stadion) - 2
Oslo (Bislett Stadion) - 2
Skien (Odd Stadion/Skagerak Arena) - 2
Fredrikstad (Fredrikstad Stadion) - 1
Haugesund (Haugesund Stadion) - 1
Kristiansand (Sor Arena) - 1
Oslo (Viking Stadion) - 1
Sarpsborg (Sarpsborg Stadion) - 1

Records
Largest win: 5-0 vs Russia, 1995-96
Heaviest loss: 0-5 vs the Netherlands, 1997-98
First game (Nations League): Italy-Norway 2-0 (Round of 16, 1992-93)
First game (World League): Algeria-Norway 1-1 (Round of 32, 1981-82)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League (1 title)
1955-56 (1): Winners, vs Brazil 3-1
1956-57 (2): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 6-2, 4-4)
1957-58 (3): Semi-Finals (defeated by France 2-0, 0-1)
1958-59 (4): Semi-Finals (defeated by Brazil 4-0, 0-1)
1959-60 (5): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Sweden 1-2, 3-0)
1960-61 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by West Germany 1-2, 5-1)
1961-62 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Spain 2-4, 3-1)
1962-63 (8): Round of 16 (defeated by Scotland 1-1, 3-1)
1963-64 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by Scotland 1-1, 2-1)
1964-65 (10): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Spain 1-0, 1-2)
1965-66 (11): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Scotland 2-2, 0-0)
1966-67 (12): Quarter-Finals (defeated by England 1-2, 2-0)
1967-68 (13): Round of 16 (defeated by Spain 2-2, 2-1)
1968-69 (14): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Portugal 2-2, 4-0)
1969-70 (15): Round of 16 (defeated by Sweden 2-0, 3-0)
1970-71 (16): Round of 16 (defeated by Spain 2-2, 4-2)
1971-72 (17): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Sweden 2-2, 1-0)
1972-73 (18): Round of 16 (defeated by Belgium 0-0, 2-1)
1973-74 (19): Round of 16 (defeated by Poland 2-0, 2-0)
1975-76 (20): Round of 16 (defeated by Poland 4-0, 1-2)
1976-77 (21): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 2-0, 2-0)
1984-85 (22): Round of 16 (defeated by Hungary 2-0, 1-1)
2012-13 (23): Group Stage (The Netherlands, Ecuador & Croatia finished above)
2013-14 (24): Group Stage (Ecuador, Greece & Croatia finished above)
2016-17 (25): Group Stage (Poland, Belgium & Northern Ireland finished above)

World League
1974-75 (1): Semi-Finals (defeated by Sweden 1-1, 5-1)
1977-78 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by Iraq 2-1, 2-1)
1978-79 (3): Semi-Finals (defeated by Scotland 2-0, 1-1)
1979-80 (4): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Turkey 0-0, 2-1 aet)
1980-81 (5): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Northern Ireland 2-2, 6-1)
1981-82 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Romania 4-0, 0-1)
1982-83 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Ireland 2-0, 2-2)
1983-84 (8): Round of 16 (defeated by Bulgaria 8-0, 3-0)
1985-86 (9): Round of 32 (defeated by Senegal 2-1, 2-0)
1986-87 (10): Round of 32 (defeated by Peru 1-2, 2-0)
1987-88 (11): Semi-Finals (defeated by Belgium 4-0, 1-0)
1988-89 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by Belgium 2-3, 4-2 aet)
1989-90 (13): Round of 32 (defeated by Egypt 4-3, 1-1)
1990-91 (14): Round of 32 (defeated by Iran 1-1, 1-0)
1991-92 (15): Semi-Finals (defeated by Switzerland 4-2, 1-1)
1992-93 (16): Round of 32 (defeated by Russia 3-0, 3-3)
1993-94 (17): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Greece 0-1, 3-1)
1999-2000 (18): Round of 16 (defeated by Switzerland 2-0, 2-3)
2000-01 (19): Round of 32 (defeated by South Korea 1-1, 2-2)
2001-02 (20): Round of 16 (defeated by South Korea 1-0, 2-2)
2003-04 (21): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Sweden 2-2, 1-0)
2005-06 (22): Group Stage (Bulgaria, Guatemala, Belgium & Ecuador finished above)
2007-08 (23): Group Stage (Finland, Venezuela, Guinea & Trinidad and Tobago finished above)
2008-09 (24): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Australia 1-0, 2-2)
2009-10 (25): Round of 16 (defeated by Costa Rica 1-1, 4-3)
2010-11 (26): Group Stage (South Korea, Mali & Belarus finished above)
2011-12 (27): Round of 32 (defeated by Italy 1-1, 4-1)
2014-15 (28): Group Stage (Jordan, Ireland & Bulgaria finished above)
2015-16 (29): Group Stage (Jamaica & Paraguay finished above)
2017-18 (30): Finalists (defeated by the Netherlands 2-1)
2018-19 (31): Group Stage (Guinea & Turkey finished above)
2019-20 (32): Round of 32 (defeated by Serbia 2-2, 1-1)
2020-21 (33): Round of 32 (defeated by Algeria 2-0, 0-0)

Stadiums Used
Budapest (Nepstadion) - 81 games
Szekesfehervar (Sostoi Stadion) - 10
Debrecen (Olah Gabor utcai Stadion) - 9
Budapest (Megyeri uti Stadion/Ferenc-Szusza Stadion) - 6
Budapest (Groupama Arena) - 5
Gyor (ETO Park) - 5
Budapest (Ullo uti Stadion/Albert Florian Stadion) - 4
Budapest (Hidegkuti Nandor Stadion) - 4
Budapest (Jozsed Bozsik Stadion) - 3
Szombathely (Rohonci Ut Stadion) - 3
Budapest (Puskas Arena) - 2
Debrecen (Nagyerdei Stadion) - 2
Budapest (Illovszky Rudolf Stadion) - 1
Felcsut (Pancho Arena) - 1
Paks (Fehervari uti Stadion) - 1
Zalagerszeg (ZTE Arena) - 1

Records
Largest win: 13-0 vs the Republic of China, 1955-56 [National Record]
Heaviest loss: 0-7 vs Croatia, 2013-14
First game (Nations League): Hungary-Republic of China 13-0 (Round of 16, 1955-56)
First game (World League): Hungary-South Korea 3-0 (Round of 32, 1974-75)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League
1966-67 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by England 1-0, 1-1)
1967-68 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by Italy 2-0, 1-0)
1968-69 (3): Round of 16 (defeated by the Soviet Union 3-1, 4-0)
1994-95 (4): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Denmark 1-1, 3-0)
1995-96 (5): Group Stage (Germany & Colombia finished above)
1997-98 (6): Group Stage (Spain finished above)
2007-08 (7): Group Stage (France, Poland & Ukraine finished above)
2008-09 (8): Group Stage (Croatia, Portugal & Nigeria finished above)
2009-10 (9): Group Stage (Spain & Croatia finished above)

World League (1 title)
1971-72 (1): Round of 32 (defeated by Nigeria 1-1, 1-0)
1972-73 (2): Round of 32 (defeated by Denmark 1-4, 3-0)
1973-74 (3): Round of 16 (defeated by Sweden 1-1, 1-0)
1974-75 (4): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 3-1, 2-0)
1975-76 (5): Semi-Finals (defeated by Chile 3-0, 1-0)
1976-77 (6): Winners, vs Sweden 5-0, 1-6
1977-78 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Sweden 2-0, 3-1)
1978-79 (8): Round of 32 (defeated by Paraguay 5-0, 1-0)
1979-80 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by South Korea 4-0, 1-3)
1980-81 (10): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Scotland 4-1, 5-0)
1981-82 (11): Semi-Finals (defeated by Chile 1-0, 1-0)
1982-83 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by Wales 1-2, 1-0)
1983-84 (13): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Ireland 2-0, 1-0)
1984-85 (14): Round of 32 (defeated by Egypt 3-0, 2-0)
1985-86 (15): Round of 32 (defeated by Zaire 1-0, 1-0)
1986-87 (16): Semi-Finals (defeated by Morocco 3-1, 1-1)
1987-88 (17): Round of 32 (defeated by Iraq 3-3, 2-1)
1988-89 (18): Round of 32 (defeated by the USA 0-0, 2-0)
1989-90 (19): Round of 16 (defeated by Canada 3-1, 1-1)
1990-91 (20): Round of 32 (defeated by the Ivory Coast 2-0, 5-0)
1991-92 (21): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Hungary 1-1, 2-1)
1992-93 (22): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Belgium 3-2, 1-1)
1993-94 (23): Round of 32 (defeated by the Ivory Coast 3-0, 1-1)
1996-97 (24): Round of 16 (defeated by Scotland 2-2, 0-0)
1998-99 (25): Round of 32 (defeated by Israel 3-1, 3-2)
1999-2000 (26): Semi-Finals (defeated by Trinidad and Tobago 2-1, 1-1)
2000-01 (27): Round of 32 (defeated by Poland 4-0, 2-0)
2001-02 (28): Round of 16 (defeated by Austria 5-0, 1-2)
2003-04 (29): Round of 16 (defeated by Serbia and Montenegro 0-0, 1-1)
2004-05 (30): Round of 16 (defeated by Chile 2-0, 1-1)
2005-06 (31): Round of 32 (defeated by Bahrain 1-0, 2-3 aet)
2006-07 (32): Round of 16 (defeated by Australia 2-0, 2-1)
2009-10 (33): Round of 32 (defeated by Venezuela 2-0, 2-0)
2010-11 (34): Round of 16 (defeated by Ireland 1-0, 1-0)
2011-12 (35): Group Stage (Ghana & Estonia finished above)
2013-14 (36): Round of 32 (defeated by Denmark 0-3, 4-0)
2014-15 (37): Group Stage (Jordan & Ireland finished above)
2015-16 (38): Group Stage (Jamaica, Paraguay & Hungary finished above)
2016-17 (39): Group Stage (Japan & Australia finished above)
2017-18 (40): Group Stage (Greece, Sierra Leone & South Africa finished above)
2018-19 (41): Round of 32 (defeated by Australia 4-1, 0-1)
2019-20 (42): Group Stage (Guinea, Japan & Cameroon finished above)
2020-21 (43): Group Stage (Australia & Hungary finished above)

Stadiums Used
Sofia (Vassil Levski National Stadium) - 94 games
Sofia (Balgarska Amia Stadium) - 14
Sofia (Georgi Asparuhov Stadium/Vivacom Arena) - 11
Razgrad (Ludogorets Arena) - 7
Burgas (Neftochimik Stadium) - 4
Lovetch (Gradski Stadium) - 4
Plovdiv (Lokomotiv Stadium) - 3
Varna (Yuri Gagarin Stadium) - 1

Records
Largest win: 4-0 vs Ireland, 1994-95; 4-0 vs Gabon, 2009-10
Heaviest loss: 0-8 vs Germany, 1995-96
First game (Nations League): England-Bulgaria 1-0 (Round of 16, 1966-67)
First game (World League): Bulgaria-Nigeria 1-1 (Round of 32, 1971-72)

 

[Wings]

At the eve of the 2017-18 Nations League, Germany and Bosnia had two starkingly different paths. Germany were looking to defend their World Cup title a year later, and had their usual first seed slot. Bosnia on the other hand were on a downhill spiral ever since their finals appearance in 2013, falling further and further behind as they would secure the very last European slot for the Nations League. Both teams were seeded in Group F, along with CONMEBOL squads Uruguay and Peru.
Germany started their run strong, scoring three victories in a row, while Bosnia only managed to hold two draws, losing to Germany to only secure two points. Meanwhile, Uruguay got their decisive win over Peru, heading into the second round of games with four points, to Bosnia's two and Peru's one.

Day 1 Peru 1 - 2 Germany Uruguay 0 - 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina​

Day 2 Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 - 1 Peru Germany 3 - 1 Uruguay​

Day 3 Germany 3 - 2 Bosnia and Herzegovina Peru 2 - 3 Uruguay​

Standings before Day 4:
1 Germany 9 +4
2 Uruguay 4 -1
3 Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 -1
4 Peru 1 -2

With that, Bosnia needed a win to put themselves back into the race for a knockout stage appearance, while a win would all but secure that same slot for Germany. Teams would gear up in Mostar.
And Bosnia would draw first blood. After a good run by Dzeko, the Bosnian striker was brought down. However, he managed to pass to Spahic, who scored this game's first goal after less than ten minutes of play. Dzeko, who nearly got a penalty, would also force a free-kick two minutes later, with a late tackle from Boateng earning him a yellow card. This free-kick would give nothing more, and the Mannschaft equalized soon after, with Thomas Muller dribbling around two bosnian defenders and scoring a hell of an equalizer. The german striker wouldn't stop there however, and spurred on by Kroos, he would find another goal, blasting a shot at the edge of the penalty area, straight into the bosnian net. The Mannschaft wouldn't let go off of their advantage, with Ozil finding Goretzka, who scored thanks to a dreadful job by the bosnian defence.
With a 3-1 lead, Germany let their guard down, a big mistake against the determined bosnians. Dzeko found a way in the german defence, and was brought down by Hummels, leading to a penalty for Bosnia. No chance for Neuer, as Dzeko did himself justice, bringing the scoreline to 3-2. A few minutes later, Dzeko nearly did it again, trying his luck from afar. Although Neuer saved, the ball nearly bounced back into the net, and was only cleared on the line by Hummels. With that, the half-time whistle was blown, leaving both teams on a 3-2 lead for Germany.
The second half quickly turned into the same show as the first. Indeed, after less than ten minutes, Kimmich sent a delightful ball for Draxler, who found Muller unmarked in the bosnian defence. Muller easily converted this chance, scoring Germany's fourth, but it was quickly answered - yet again - by Bosnia only a few minutes later, with Spahic firing a screamer past Neuer.
As the first substitutions came in, Germany saw their chance to shake things up, with Goretzka, Germany's second goalscorer, being taken off. This would prove to be a good idea, with the Mannschaft's fresh blood leading to Kimmich scoring a fifth goal, making it 5-3 for the germans. Once more though, this was answered by Bosnia, with a foul by Ozil leading to a free-kick, which would be converted easily by Dzeko, straight into the top-right corner of Neuer's goal.
This time, Bosnia didn't wait for Germany to score, pressing their advantage, as a corner kick would find Medujanin's head, who sent it straight past Neuer. It would be Germany's turn to react, with Kroos answering a cross from Draxler, scoring Germany's sixth goal of the game. With time ticking by, there was no hope for Bosnia to win this one. However, in a last act of defiance, Ibisevic scored one last goal in the game, bringing the total goal count to twelve, in a huge 6-6 draw.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Peru would get their second and final point by also holding a draw against Uruguay, rendering the standings virtually unchanged.

Standings following Day 4:
1 Germany 10 +4
2 Uruguay 5 -1
3 Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 -1
4 Peru 2 -2

With this draw, Bosnia put themselves in a bad position, which would soon be confirmed as Uruguay would beat them to secure their slot in the knockout stage. Bosnia would beat Peru, making their way towards the World League, where they would eventually end up defeated by Morocco in the first round of the knockouts. Germany on the other hand would continue their path through Group F, winning the group, and eventually reaching the final, being defeated by Spain. As for Uruguay, they would be knocked out in the Round of 16, defeated by Brazil.

Edin Dzeko of Bosnia directs his teammates' offensives against Germany

German celebrations after goal number five

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League
2007-08 (1): Group Stage (Croatia, Greece & Turkey finished above)
2009-10 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by the Netherlands 2-1, 0-0)
2016-17 (3): Group Stage (Poland & Belgium finished above)
2017-18 (4): Group Stage (Argentina, England & Ireland finished above)
2018-19 (5): Group Stage (Belgium & the Netherlands finished above)
2019-20 (6): Group Stage (Chile, France & Peru finished above)

World League (1 title)
1971-72 (1): Round of 16 (defeated by Australia 4-1, 1-1)
1972-73 (2): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 1-3, 5-1)
1973-74 (3): Round of 32 (defeated by Ghana 1-0, 2-0)
1974-75 (4): Round of 32 (defeated by Tunisia 2-2, 3-2)
1975-76 (5): Round of 32 (defeated by Tunisia 0-0, 2-0)
1976-77 (6): Round of 16 (defeated by Bulgaria 5-1, 4-0)
1977-78 (7): Round of 16 (defeated by Greece 3-1, 4-2)
1978-79 (8): Round of 16 (defeated by Mexico 0-0, 1-0)
1979-80 (9): Quarter-Finals (defeated by South Korea 3-0, 0-0)
1980-81 (10): Semi-Finals (defeated by Scotland 3-2, 0-0)
1981-82 (11): Winners, vs Chile 3-1, 5-0
1982-83 (12): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Paraguay 1-0, 2-1)
1983-84 (13): Round of 16 (defeated by Greece 2-2, 3-1)
1984-85 (14): Round of 16 (defeated by Algeria 3-1, 0-1)
1985-86 (15): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Portugal 2-0, 1-1)
1986-87 (16): Round of 16 (defeated by Morocco 3-2, 2-0)
1987-88 (17): Round of 32 (defeated by Wales 4-0, 1-1)
1988-89 (18): Semi-Finals (defeated by Argentina 1-0, 1-0)
1989-90 (19): Round of 16 (defeated by Nigeria 1-1, 2-0)
1990-91 (20): Round of 16 (defeated by Australia 2-0, 0-1)
1991-92 (21): Round of 16 (defeated by Switzerland 5-0, 0-0)
1992-93 (22): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Australia 3-0, 0-0)
1993-94 (23): Round of 16 (defeated by Portugal 2-1, 2-2)
1994-95 (24): Round of 16 (defeated by Slovakia 5-1, 2-1)
2008-09 (25): Round of 32 (defeated by Poland 3-0, 0-2)
2010-11 (26): Group Stage (Sweden & New Zealand finished above)
2011-12 (27): Group Stage (Belgium, Finland & Scotland finished above)
2015-16 (28): Group Stage (Turkey & Estonia finished above)
2016-17 (29): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Croatia 4-1, 1-2)
2018-19 (30): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 1-1, 2-1)
2020-21 (31): Round of 16 (defeated by Costa Rica 2-0, 1-2)
2021-22 (32): Group Stage (Romania, Mali & Slovakia finished above)

Stadiums Used
Belfast (Windsor Park) - 84 games
Belfast (Seaview) - 5
Belfast (The Oval) - 3
Coleraine (The Showgrounds) - 3
Belfast (Solitude Ground) - 2
Ballymena (Ballymena Showgrounds) - 1

Records
Largest win: 4-0 vs Paraguay, 2009-10
Heaviest loss: 0-7 vs Chile, 2019-20
First game (Nations League): Croatia-Northern Ireland 6-1 (Group Stage, 2007-08)
First game (World League): Northern Ireland-PR China 5-0 (Round of 32, 1971-72)

 

[Wings]

​

Nations League
1994-95 (1): Group Stage (Germany, Norway & Colombia finished above)
2002-03 (2): Group Stage (England, the Netherlands & Paraguay finished above)
2003-04 (3): Group Stage (England & Denmark finished above)
2004-05 (4): Round of 16 (defeated by Brazil 0-0, 2-1)
2005-06 (5): Group Stage (Germany, Argentina & Costa Rica finished above)
2006-07 (6): Group Stage (Brazil, Ecuador & Egypt finished above)
2007-08 (7): Group Stage (Italy, Russia & Mexico finished above)
2008-09 (8): Group Stage (Croatia & Portugal finished above)
2010-11 (9): Group Stage (Uruguay & France finished above)
2020-21 (10): Group Stage (Italy, Poland & Uruguay finished above)

World League (2 titles)
1971-72 (1): Quarter-Finals (defeated by France 2-0, 2-1)
1972-73 (2): Round of 16 (defeated by Israel 2-2, 2-1)
1973-74 (3): Round of 32 (defeated by France 4-0, 1-0)
1974-75 (4): Round of 32 (defeated by Wales 3-1, 2-2)
1975-76 (5): Round of 16 (defeated by Colombia 2-1, 2-3)
1976-77 (6): Round of 32 (defeated by Romania 1-0, 2-0)
1977-78 (7): Round of 32 (defeated by Paraguay 2-1, 1-1)
1978-79 (8): Round of 32 (defeated by South Korea 2-1, 2-1)
1979-80 (9): Round of 16 (defeated by Hungary 4-0, 1-2)
1988-89 (10): Round of 32 (defeated by Argentina 2-0, 1-2)
1989-90 (11): Winners, vs Finland 3-2, 1-1
1991-92 (12): Round of 16 (defeated by Cameroon 5-1, 3-1)
1992-93 (13): Round of 32 (defeated by Japan 1-2, 2-0)
1993-94 (14): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Egypt 1-2, 3-1)
1995-96 (15): Round of 32 (defeated by the Netherlands 1-1, 2-2)
2000-01 (16): Round of 32 (defeated by Morocco 6-0, 1-4)
2001-02 (17): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Denmark 0-1, 2-0)
2003-04 (18): Round of 16 (defeated by Japan 4-2, 1-0)
2008-09 (19): Winners, vs Denmark 2-1
2009-10 (20): Round of 32 (defeated by Colombia 4-1, 0-1)
2010-11 (21): Round of 32 (defeated by Ireland 3-1, 2-2)
2011-12 (22): Round of 32 (defeated by Algeria 1-2, 5-0)
2012-13 (23): Round of 32 (defeated by South Africa 1-1, 2-1)
2013-14 (24): Group Stage (Libya & Uzbekistan finished above)
2014-15 (25): Round of 16 (defeated by Montenegro 2-0, 2-3)
2015-16 (26): Group Stage (Uzbekistan, Mali & Sweden finished above)
2016-17 (27): Round of 32 (defeated by the DR Congo 3-1, 3-4 aet)
2017-18 (28): Round of 32 (defeated by Cameroon 6-2, 2-2)
2018-19 (29): Round of 32 (defeated by Ghana 0-1, 3-0)
2019-20 (30): Group Stage (Honduras & Ghana finished above)

World Challenge
2006 (1): 5th place (defeated by New Zealand 2-0 aet)
2007 (2): Quarter-Finals (defeated by Mexico 4-2 aet)

Stadiums Used
Abuja (Abuja Stadium) - 31 games
Lagos (Surulere Stadium/National Stadium) - 26
Aba (Enyimba International Stadium) - 10
Ibadan (Liberty Stadium) - 8
Enugu (Nnamdi-Azikiwe Stadium) - 7
Kano (Sani-Abacha Stadium) - 6
Port Harcourt (Liberation Stadium) - 2
Akure (Akure Township Stadium) - 1
Gombe (Pantami Stadium) - 1
Jos (Rwang Pam Stadium) - 1
Lafia (Lafia Township Stadium) - 1
Lagos (Agege Township Stadium) - 1
Lagos (Onikan Stadium) - 1
Makurdi (Aper Aku Stadium) - 1
Port Harcourt (Yakubu Gowon Stadium) - 1
Uyo (Uyo Township Stadium) - 1
Warri (Warri Township Stadium) - 1
Yenagoa (Yenagoa Township Stadium) - 1

Records
Largest win: 3-0 vs Paraguay, 2003-04; 3-0 vs Bulgaria, 2008-09; 4-1 vs Russia, 2010-11
Heaviest loss: 1-5 vs Colombia, 1994-95; 0-5 vs England, 2003-04
First game (Nations League): Nigeria-Germany 0-1 (Group Stage, 1994-95)
First game (World League): Bulgaria-Nigeria 1-1 (Round of 32, 1971-72)
First game (World Challenge): New Zealand-Nigeria 2-0 aet (Quarter-Finals, 2006)