Five stars, five ways to change a game

The UEFA Nations League’s opening rounds bring together some of the biggest names in world football, with five superstars capable of turning tight matches in an instant.

From Harry Kane’s finishing to Lamine Yamal’s improvisation, these are the players to watch in the key matches of the UNL this week.

Harry Kane: England v Spain

Strength: Kane combines elite finishing with outstanding hold-up play, making him both England’s focal point and an extra creative outlet.
Weakness: His lack of explosive pace can limit him when England need to attack space behind a high defensive line.
Decisive factor: Spain’s defenders cannot afford to switch off around the box, because Kane needs only a fraction of a chance to punish them.
Why now: Kane arrives in exceptional form after another prolific season and a standout World Cup campaign, making him one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Kylian Mbappé: Turkey v France

Strength: Explosive acceleration, devastating one-on-one ability and elite finishing make Mbappé almost impossible to contain in open space.
Weakness: His defensive contribution and willingness to press remain areas opponents can try to exploit.
Decisive factor: Turkey cannot allow Mbappé to receive the ball facing forward, because one burst of pace can completely change the contest.
Why now: Mbappé enters the Nations League as France’s captain and one of the world’s most dangerous attackers, having also claimed the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot.

Bruno Fernandes: Portugal v Wales

Strength: Fernandes thrives between the lines, constantly looking for the killer pass, late run or long-range strike.
Weakness: His appetite for risk can lead to turnovers when Portugal are trying to control possession.
Decisive factor: Wales will need to close him down quickly, because giving Fernandes time around the penalty area is asking for trouble.
Why now: Portugal’s attacking structure gives Fernandes freedom to influence matches from several positions, making his creativity particularly important against a Wales side likely to defend compactly.

Erling Haaland: Norway v Denmark

Strength: Haaland is a devastating penalty-box striker, combining extraordinary physical power with movement and ruthless finishing.
Weakness: His influence can diminish when opponents deny him service and force Norway to build patiently around a packed defence.
Decisive factor: Denmark must prevent crosses and through-balls reaching him, because Haaland can turn a single opportunity into a goal.
Why now: He scored 58 goals for club and country last season and remains one of the most prolific forwards in international football.

Lamine Yamal: England v Spain

Strength: Yamal’s close control, creativity and ability to beat defenders make him a nightmare in one-on-one situations.
Weakness: England can target him physically and try to force him away from dangerous central areas.
Decisive factor: If Yamal gets isolated against a full-back, Spain will have found one of their biggest weapons.
Why now: The teenage Barcelona star enters the match as a World Cup winner and established Spain superstar, having also produced 41 goal contributions for Barcelona last season.

Broadcast details

Times CAT

UEFA Nations League A

Matchday 1

Thursday 24 September

6:45PM: Netherlands v Germany – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
6:45PM: Norway v Denmark – LIVE on SuperSport Football
6:45PM: Serbia v Greece – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Maximo 3
6:45PM: Portugal v Wales – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport Africa 2, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

Friday 25 September

6:45PM: Italy v Belgium – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
6:45PM: Turkey v France – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
Saturday 26 September
6:45PM: Czech Republic v Croatia – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360
6:45PM: England v Spain – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2

Matchday 2
Sunday 27 September

6:45PM: Serbia v Netherlands – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
6:45PM: Germany v Greece – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 3
6:45PM: Norway v Portugal – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360
Monday 28 September
6:45PM: Belgium v France – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
6:45PM: Turkey v Italy – LIVE on SuperSport Football Plus, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 360