Paris (AFP)

The first tickets for the final phase ("Final 4") of the League of Nations could be issued on the penultimate day this weekend, with France, Portugal, Belgium and Poland in a position to qualify. Saturday and Sunday.

France-Portugal looking like the final.

The Portuguese, winners of Euro-2016 (against the Blues) and of the first edition of the League of Nations in 2019, receive on Saturday (19:45 GMT) in Lisbon the French world champions, in a match for which the winner will qualify. for the last square of the test.

The final phase, in which the top four of the group take part, will take place in October 2021, in principle in the winning country of group 1: Italy, the Netherlands or Poland.

Portuguese and French are tied on points (10) in Group 3 and drew 0-0 in the first leg.

Under the tie-breaking rules favoring direct confrontations between tied teams, the winner is guaranteed to finish first in the group.

In the event of another 0-0, Portugal would approach the last day in a favorable tie-off, thanks to its better overall goal difference (+8 against +4).

A draw with goals would instead give the advantage to the Blues, thanks to the criterion of away goals.

In the other group game, Sweden are forced to beat Croatia to avoid relegation to League B.

Belgium will need help to secure the lead in Group A2.

The Red Devils are due to beat England on Sunday in Leuven, and hope Denmark does not beat the already relegated Iceland at the same time in Copenhagen.

Poland, surprising leader of group 1, can also get its ticket thanks to a double feat.

Robert Lewandowski's teammates will have to beat Italy at home in Reggio Emilia on Sunday, and will qualify if the Netherlands do not take the three points in Amsterdam against Bosnia-Herzegovina, bottom of the group.

In group 4, Spain, who travels to Switzerland on Saturday, will in any case have to wait until the last day and a top game against Germany to get their ticket.

La Roja, 7 points, is one unit ahead of Germany and Ukraine who face off in Leipzig.

The program of the 5th day of the League of Nations (League A) played on Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15 (in GMT hours):

Saturday

Group 3

(7.45 p.m.) Sweden - Croatia

Portugal - France

Group 4

(19:45) Switzerland - Spain

Germany - Ukraine

Sunday

Group 1

(7.45 p.m.) Italy - Poland

(5:00 p.m.) Netherlands - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Group 2

(7.45 p.m.) Denmark - Iceland

Belgium - England

© 2020 AFP