England won't feature in the first-ever Women's Nations League finals, with a line-up of Spain, France, Germany and Netherlands set for February.
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Netherlands break England hearts at the death Draw was enough for Germany earlier in the dayThe pair join Spain & France in February's finalsWHAT HAPPENED?
Spain and France had already secured their spots in February's finals prior to the final matchday of the Nations League group stage on Tuesday, with Germany and Netherlands doing enough to join them and complete the four-team line-up.
A draw for Germany in Wales combined with Denmark's loss at home to Iceland decided Group 3, before Netherlands scored a 95th minute goal against Belgium to top Group 1 ahead of England, who had spent most of the evening in pole position thanks to a thrashing of Scotland.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
There is more at stake than just a Nations League trophy, too, as there is also qualification for the Olympic women's football tournament to be secured. France will host the Games next summer, so are already assured of a place, and they will be joined by two of Spain, Germany and Netherlands.
If France are eliminated in the Nations League semi-finals in February, it will be the two finalists that qualify for the Olympics. However, if France reach the final, it will be the other finalist and the team that wins the third-place match that secures a spot at the Games.
DID YOU KNOW?
While the Olympics is an under-23 tournament on the men's side, it is a full senior competition when it comes to women's football and, thus, is an extremely prestigious event, second only to the Women's World Cup.
The United States women's national team has won Olympic gold a record four times, with no other nation doing so on more than one occasion. Norway won the tournament in 1996, Germany came out on top in 2016 and, in 2021, it was the turn of Canada, who beat the USWNT for the first time in 20 years en route.
GettyWHAT NEXT?
On Monday December 11, the Women's Nations League finals draw will take place to determine what February's semi-finals will look like. Unlike the men's competition, there will not be a host country for the four games, with each tie to have a home team instead. The draw will take place at 12pm GMT.