The gap between the Netherlands and Portugal in the coefficient ranking keeps getting smaller. The Netherlands still had more than 2.5 points advantage over its primary rival at the beginning of the season, but that advantage has now been cut in half to 1.2 points. The fact that sixth place is still in play is due to PSV and AZ’s victories.
The Portuguese teams that performed well in the Champions League were Benfica (4-3 victory over Juventus), FC Porto (0-4 victory at Club Brugge), and Sporting Portugal (1-1 draw at Tottenham Hotspur), while Ajax suffered a 0-3 defeat to Liverpool. Portugal ended up being practically sixth place once more. But the Netherlands fixed the damage on Thursday in the Europa League and conference League fixtures.
The Netherlands added four points on Thursday, which are divided by five. Thanks to the triumphs of PSV (2-0 against Arsenal) and AZ (1-2 at FC Vaduz). Additionally, PSV was a bonus because it earned a spot in the knockout round. In extra time, Feyenoord was defeated at Sturm Graz. Portugal did not score any extra points since Sporting Braga’s Europa League loss to Union Berlin (1-0) prevented it.
The Netherlands and Portugal are separated by just 1.2 points
Portugal has earned ten bonus points, which are split among the six European teams, as a result of Benfica and Porto’s and Portugal’s advancement to the Champions League knockout stages. Depending on how they finish in the groups, PSV, Feyenoord, and AZ may also be eligible to get additional points on behalf of the Netherlands.
This cycle, from 2018 to 2023, the Netherlands is vying for sixth place in the coefficient ranking. That finally results in the number two Eredivisie team of the 2024–25 season. Receiving an additional ticket for the Champions League group stage. The Netherlands cannot afford to lose the lead it now has over Portugal, which is approximately 1.2 points. That advantage was still greater than 2.5 points before the beginning of this season.
