Italy and France booked their places in the Nations League quarter-finals with a game to spare.The Azzurri beat Belgium 1-0 with Sandro Tonali scoring his first international goal.The Newcastle midfielder netted from six yards from Giovanni di Lorenzo's pass in Brussels.

France and Italy have qualified for the quarterfinal stage of the revamped Nations League while England got its revenge on Greece ahead of the imminent arrival of Thomas Tuchel as coach.

France, Italy and Portugal lead the teams attempting to secure a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, while England's promotion hopes have been hit by a series of withdrawals.The two-legged quarter-finals are scheduled for March and the four-team finals will take place next June.

France qualified for the quarter-finals of the Nations League despite a lacklustre goalless draw against Israel for their Stade de France homecoming after a 17-month hiatus on Thursday.

Tight security and record-low attendance at Stade de France cast shadow over Mbappé-less France’s draw with Israel

England’s promotion hopes, meanwhile, have been hit by a series of withdrawals. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Italy will face Belgium and France this week, and the Azzurri need just one point in two matches to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.Italy are the Nations League Group A2 leaders with 10

England face Portugal in their opening game of the 2025 Nations League after Uefa announce the match schedule for the competition.