The UEFA Nations League, if you’re not already familiar with it, is an international competition which splits the 54 members of UEFA into four different leagues, based on their results from the 2022-23 competition.
Once the teams have been separated into leagues A, B, C and D, they’re separated again into pots ahead of the Nations League draw, depending on how they fared in the last competition. Leagues A, B and C saw them drawn out as four groups of four teams, whereas group D consisted of two groups of three teams. Each team plays the others in their mini group at home and away.
Before, the winners of the four groups in League A could play to win if they qualified for the finals. Now the top two in each group go on to the quarter finals; the fourth-placed teams in A and B are relegated; and the lowest placed teams in C are relegated. This paves the way for automatic promotion for the winners of B, C and D.
Below is a look at the tournament with a special focus on group D and the upcoming clash between Andorra and Malta, what happened in the previous matchup between the two and what victory would mean for both in the tournament.
How things stand in Group D
Group D consists of two groups of three teams, all from smaller parts of the world, so they might fancy their chances against the others in the group. In Group D1, Gibraltar have been ruling the roost over San Marino and Lichtenstein, though the group did witness the delight of San Marino chalking up their first win in 20 years with a win over Liechtenstein.
Out in D2, you’ll find Andorra, Malta and Moldova. The Moldovans are sitting at the top of the table but the lead is slender, with only goal difference separating them and Malta. Andorra, meanwhile, have fared poorly and not won any of their matches in the group so far.
Andorra vs Malta (10 September 2024)
When Malta made the trip to Andorra, it was a successful one. In front of a crowd of just 812 people, the Maltese beat the team from the principality by 1-0 in their own backyard on 10 September. Ryan Camenzuli found the net with a left-footed strike into the bottom left corner right before half-time, forcing the coach to rethink the tactics in the interval.
However, the goal count could have been higher, given the number of shots on goal Malta had and the better amount of possession they enjoyed. They’ll be ruing it as a missed opportunity to steal a march on Moldova or at least push them harder for the promotion spot. They’ll also be wishing they’d made the most of the bookings Andorra received as the principality team’s frustration started to get the better of them.
Malta vs Andorra (16 November 2024)
In November, however, it will be the Andorran’s turn to make the journey and they’ll be hoping it won’t be a wasted one. The Maltese will be using the match to get plenty of goals on the scoresheet and put pressure on Moldova.
If you decide to place a bet online for the upcoming match, you might feel your money would be safer with Malta, as Andorra haven’t managed to chalk up a win in either of their two games yet. Still, both Malta and Moldova have shown they’re not invincible in the group. As the two teams battle for the top spot, each of them has dropped points by losing one of the three games they’ve both played.
Both teams would love to make it to the final someday, but it’s a long road and there would be some tough teams to beat. Spain are the favourites for the 2025/26 tournament. Meanwhile, Andorra are already looking like they’ll be remaining in League D for the 2026/27 edition of the tournament, whereas if Malta were to come out on top again, they could go through to the promotion/relegation playoffs against one of the two best fourth-placed teams in League C, should Moldova win against Andorra as well. If Moldova fail to win and Malta wins, the boys in red move up to League C for 2026/27. If they lose, then it would be business as usual in League D, come the 2026/27 Nations League.
The Nations League is an exciting tournament that levels the playing field. Smaller teams will relish the chance to compete with others in their group, feeling they’re in with a realistic shot of promotion. Both Andorra and Malta would love to work their way up the leagues. After their game with Andorra, Malta might be one step closer to that dream.