Putting a pause on club football's frenetic fixture list for the next few days, international competition is back, and fans around Europe will now turn their attention to the UEFA Nations League.
With this season's group phase condensed into just over three months, there is plenty to play for in October, before promotion, relegation and possible playoffs are all decided next month.
League A teams will be vying for a place in the new quarter-final stage, or perhaps hoping merely to avoid demotion to the competition's second tier.
From European champions Spain to minnows San Marino, there are a diverse range of sides fighting it out for precious points, so Sports Mole makes sense of it all by recapping the story so far.
UEFA Nations League, League A standings
Group 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Croatia vs. Scotland (12 October 2024, 5pm | Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb)
Poland vs. Portugal (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)
Poland vs. Croatia (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)
Scotland vs. Portugal (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Hampden Park, Glasgow)
Portugal vs. Poland (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Estadio do Dragao, Porto)
Scotland vs. Croatia (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Hampden Park, Glasgow)
Croatia vs. Portugal (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Poljud, Split)
Poland vs. Scotland (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw)
STORY SO FAR
Portugal are setting the pace following back-to-back wins in September, as the Selecao quickly overcame their disappointing exit from Euro 2024. Superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo struck two in two against Croatia and Scotland, including his 900th goal in senior football.
His fellow veterans were also to the fore last month, as Luka Modric scored a stunning free-kick in Croatia's home victory over Poland, while Robert Lewandowski was on target as the Poles edged out Scotland in a five-goal thriller.
A top-two finish will book a berth in the quarter-finals, so Portugal can now secure their place by beating Poland and Scotland on the road.
Group 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Israel vs. France (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Bozsik Arena, Budapest)
Italy vs. Belgium (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadio Olimpico, Rome)
Belgium vs. France (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels)
Italy vs. Israel (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadio Friuli, Udine)
Belgium vs. Italy (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels)
France vs. Israel (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stade de France, Saint-Denis)
Israel vs. Belgium (17 November 2024, 7:45pm | Bozsik Arena, Budapest)
Italy vs. France (17 November 2024, 7:45pm | San Siro, Milan)
STORY SO FAR
After a tame last-16 elimination at the Euros, Italy have made a fast start in Group 2, and they will be seeking a third successive win when they meet Belgium in Rome.
The Azzurri kicked off their campaign with a stunning 3-1 victory in France - despite trailing within just a few seconds - before beating Israel to secure a three-point lead atop the table.
Following their opening defeat in Paris, France got off the mark with a 2-0 home win over Belgium to move onto three points alongside their neighbours, who had seen off Israel a few days earlier.
Group 3
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Germany (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica)
Hungary vs. Netherlands (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Puskas Arena, Budapest)
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Hungary (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica)
Germany vs. Netherlands (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Allianz Arena, Munich)
Germany vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina (16 November 2024, 7:45pm | Europa-Park Stadion, Freiburg)
Netherlands v Hungary (16 November 2024, 7:45pm | Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam)
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Netherlands (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica)
Hungary vs. Germany (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Puskas Arena, Budapest)
STORY SO FAR
Continental heavyweights Netherlands and Germany both fired home five goals on the opening matchday, before sharing four in an entertaining encounter between the old foes in Amsterdam.
The two group favourites hold a three-point cushion over Hungary and Bosnia-Herzegovina, who played out a goalless draw last month.
Rebuilding after several stars stepped down following their home Euros, Germany's campaign continues in Zenica, where they will play Bosnia in a competitive fixture for the very first time.
Group 4
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Serbia vs. Switzerland (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | Dubocica Stadium, Leskovac)
Spain vs. Denmark (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | Nueva Condomina, Murcia)
Spain vs. Serbia (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Nuevo Arcangel, Cordoba)
Switzerland vs. Denmark (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Kybunpark, St. Gallen)
Denmark vs. Spain (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen)
Switzerland vs. Serbia (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Letzigrund, Zürich)
Serbia vs. Denmark (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Dubocica Stadium, Leskovac)
Spain vs. Switzerland (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez, Santa Cruz de Tenerife)
STORY SO FAR
Not only are Spain reigning European champions, they also hold the UEFA Nations League trophy - but La Roja have some ground to make up after dropping two points last month.
Nonetheless, they followed a goalless draw in Serbia with an impressive 4-1 win away to Switzerland, the latter result achieved despite going down to 10 men after 20 minutes in Geneva.
Denmark top the pile, after seeing off a nine-man Swiss side and then claiming maximum points against Serbia; the Danes won their first two games under new coach Lars Knudsen without conceding.
UEFA Nations League, League B standings
Group 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Czech Republic vs. Albania (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Stadion Letna, Prague)
Ukraine vs. Georgia (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Poznan Stadium, Poznan)
Georgia vs. Albania (14 October 2024, 5pm | Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi)
Ukraine vs. Czech Republic (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Wroclaw Stadium, Wroclaw)
Georgia vs. Ukraine (16 November 2024, 5pm | Adjarabet Arena, Batumi)
Albania vs. Czech Republic (16 November 2024, 7:45pm | Arena Kombetare, Tirana)
Albania vs. Ukraine (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Arena Kombetare, Tirana
Czech Republic vs. Georgia (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Andruv Stadion, Olomouc)
STORY SO FAR
Having taken the Nations League route to Euro 2024 - where they delighted fans and neutrals alike by improbably making the knockout stage - Georgia returned to the competition in fine style.
Willy Sagnol's side put four past Czech Republic and then edged out Albania, establishing a three-point cushion over both of their Group 1 victims.
The Czechs and Albania posted wins over Ukraine, who are rock-bottom with no points and have some catching up to do over the next couple of months.
Group 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
England vs. Greece (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Wembley Stadium, London)
Finland vs. Republic of Ireland (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki)
Finland vs. England (13 October 2024, 5pm | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki)
Greece vs. Republic of Ireland (13 October 2024, 7:45pm | Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus)
Greece vs. England (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens)
Republic of Ireland vs. Finland (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Aviva Stadium, Dublin
England vs. Republic of Ireland (17 November 2024, 5pm | Wembley Stadium, London)
Finland vs. Greece (17 November 2024, 5pm | Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki)
STORY SO FAR
There is already a significant gap between the top two and the bottom two, as England and Greece lead the way with six points after both won twice last month.
Harry Kane celebrated his 100th cap by taking his Three Lions tally to 68 goals, as Lee Carsley's side defeated the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Greece beat the same opponents in September, making them favourites to earn a place in the promotion playoffs behind likely group winners England.
Group 3
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Austria vs. Kazakhstan (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Red Bull Arena, Salzburg)
Norway vs. Slovenia (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo)
Kazakhstan vs. Slovenia (13 October 2024, 2pm | Astana Arena, Astana)
Austria vs. Norway (13 October 2024, 7:45pm | Ernst-Happel Stadion, Vienna)
Kazakhstan vs. Austria (14 November 2024, 3pm | Astana Arena, Astana)
Slovenia vs. Norway (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stozice Stadium, Ljubljana)
Austria vs. Slovenia (17 November 2024, 5pm | Franz Horr Stadium, Vienna)
Norway vs. Kazakhstan (17 November 2024, 5pm | Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo)
STORY SO FAR
Two big-name strikers with roots in Salzburg helped their respective nations to take four points from two matches last month, as Norway and Slovenia moved clear of Austria and Kazakhstan.
Erling Haaland was on target for the Norwegians, while Slovenia star Benjamin Sesko struck four times in four days - most notably netting a hat-trick against Kazakhstan.
The high-profile pair will go head to head in Oslo this month, as the race for top spot continues.
Group 4
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Iceland vs. Wales (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavík)
Turkey vs. Montenegro (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Samsun 19 Mayis Stadium, Samsun)
Iceland vs. Turkey (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavík)
Wales vs. Montenegro (14 October 2024 7:45pm | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff)
Montenegro vs. Iceland (16 November 2024, 5pm | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica)
Turkey vs. Wales (16 November 2024, 5pm | Kadir Has Stadium, Kayseri)
Montenegro vs. Turkey (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica)
Wales vs. Iceland (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff)
STORY SO FAR
The top three nations in Group 4 are separated by only one point, with Wales and Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Turkey leading the way.
Craig Bellamy's first fixture as Cymru coach ended in a goalless home draw with the Crescent-Stars, before two goals in the first three minutes set up victory in rain-soaked Montenegro.
Benfica forward Kerem Akturkoglu fired home a hat-trick as Turkey saw off Iceland, who had won 2-0 against Montenegro on the opening matchday.
UEFA Nations League, League C standings
Group 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Estonia vs. Azerbaijan (11 October 2024, 5pm | Lillekula Stadium, Tallinn)
Slovakia v Sweden (11 October 2024, 7:45pm | Tehelne Pole, Bratislava)
Azerbaijan vs. Slovakia (14 October 2024, 5pm | Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium, Baku)
Estonia vs. Sweden (14 October 2024, 7:45pm | Lillekula Stadium, Tallinn)
Azerbaijan vs. Estonia (16 November 2024, 2pm | Gabala City Stadium, Gabala)
Sweden vs. Slovakia (16 November 2024, 7:45pm | Nationalarenan, Solna)
Slovakia vs. Estonia (19 November 2024 7:45pm | Anton Malatinsky Stadium, Trnava)
Sweden vs. Azerbaijan (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | Nationalarenan, Solna)
STORY SO FAR
While Sesko leads the way with four, Sweden strike pair Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres are among four players on three Nations League goals so far, before the group favourites pay a visit to Bratislava.
Jon Dahl Tomasson's side cruised past Azerbaijan and Estonia last month, leaving them level at the top with Slovakia, who saw off the same opponents.
Meanwhile, the bottom two - who now meet in Tallinn - seem set for a scrap to avoid automatic relegation.
Group 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Lithuania vs. Kosovo (12 October 2024, 2pm | Darius and Girenas Stadium, Kaunas)
Cyprus vs. Romania (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | AEK Arena, Larnaca)
Kosovo vs. Cyprus (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Prishtina)
Lithuania vs. Romania (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Darius and Girenas Stadium, Kaunas)
Cyprus vs. Lithuania (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | AEK Arena, Larnaca)
Romania vs. Kosovo (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Arena Nationala, Bucharest)
Kosovo vs. Lithuania (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Fadil Vokrri Stadium, Prishtina)
Romania vs. Cyprus (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Arena Naționala, Bucharest)
STORY SO FAR
Another team that exceeded expectations at the Euros, Romania secured two wins from two on their return to competitive action last month.
After comfortably seeing off Kosovo on the opening matchday, the Tricolorii struck twice in the closing stages to beat Lithuania 3-1 and move onto six points.
Kosovo sit second, having bounced back quickly from losing at home to Romania by cruising past Cyprus. The latter had previously defeated Lithuania, who are adrift in fourth place ahead of two home games this month.
Group 3
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Bulgaria vs. Luxembourg (12 October 2024, 5pm | Hristo Botev Stadium, Plovdiv)
Belarus vs. Northern Ireland (12 October 2024, 7:45pm | ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg)
Belarus vs. Luxembourg (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg)
Northern Ireland vs. Bulgaria (15 October 2024, 7:45pm | Windsor Park, Belfast)
Luxembourg vs. Bulgaria (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg)
Northern Ireland vs. Belarus (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | Windsor Park, Belfast)
Bulgaria vs. Belarus (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Hristo Botev Stadium, Plovdiv)
Luxembourg vs. Northern Ireland (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg)
STORY SO FAR
After playing out a goalless draw against each other on the opening day, Belarus and Bulgaria lead the way in Group 3 due to 1-0 wins in their second fixtures.
The pair have four points apiece, while Northern Ireland are just one behind after beating pointless Luxembourg in their opener.
Group 4
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Latvia vs. North Macedonia (10 October 2024, 5pm | Skonto Stadium, Riga)
Faroe Islands vs. Armenia (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Torsvollur, Torshavn)
Armenia vs. North Macedonia (13 October 2024, 5pm | Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan)
Faroe Islands vs. Latvia (13 October 2024, 7:45pm | Torsvollur, Torshavn)
Armenia vs. Faroe Islands (14 November 2024, 5pm | Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan)
North Macedonia vs. Latvia (14 November 2024, 7:45pm | Tose Proeski Arena, Skopje)
Latvia vs. Armenia (17 November 2024, 2pm | Skonto Stadium, Riga)
North Macedonia vs. Faroe Islands (17 November 2024, 2pm | Tose Proeski Arena, Skopje)
STORY SO FAR
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Faroe Islands in their first fixture, North Macedonia scored twice in the last 20 minutes to see off Armenia in their second match to take top spot in Group 4.
Both the Armenians and Latvia have three points, after the latter edged out Faroe Islands on matchday two, having lost 4-1 in Yerevan three days earlier.
UEFA Nations League, League D standings
Group 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Gibraltar vs. San Marino (10 October 2024, 7:45pm | Europa Sports Park, Europa Point)
Liechtenstein vs. Gibraltar (13 October 2024, 5pm | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz)
San Marino vs. Gibraltar (15 November 2024, 7:45pm | San Marino Stadium, Serravalle)
Liechtenstein vs. San Marino (18 November 2024, 7:45pm | Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz)
STORY SO FAR
Following San Marino's famous success in September - when the tiny microstate claimed their first win for 20 years, and a first-ever competitive victory - another three points would secure automatic promotion to League C.
La Serenissima's victims, Liechtenstein, then snatched a late point from their second game, against Gibraltar. It finished 2-2 after Nicolas Hasler levelled matters with a 104th-minute penalty, and both are still battling it out for at least a playoff.
Group 2
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Moldova vs. Andorra (10 October 2024, 5pm | Stadionul Zimbru, Chisinau)
Malta vs. Moldova (13 October 2024, 5pm | National Stadium, Ta' Qali)
Andorra vs. Moldova (16 November 2024, 5pm | Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella)
Malta vs. Andorra (19 November 2024, 7:45pm | National Stadium, Ta' Qali)
STORY SO FAR
Leading the way alongside Malta, Moldova are favourites for promotion from Group 2, as they have a game in hand on their closest rivals, who will now host the teams' meeting in Ta' Qali.
After suffering a 2-0 defeat in Chisinau, Malta edged past Andorra three days later, leaving the latter pointless and in need of maximum points from their upcoming trip to Moldova.
