DOUBTLESS there will be some who find fault with Uefa’s latest innovation, the Nations League. I am not among them. The last couple of international periods have been enlivened by the presence on the fixture list of meaningful games.

What a concept, having national sides play for points rather than just preparing vaguely and with the ready made excuse that it was “only a friendly”.

England’s magnificent victory in Seville against Spain is a shining example of the difference between a competitive match with something at stake and a mere exhibition. It was a game with a genuine quality and no one going through the motions.

Club managers, ever protective of their own players, will have hated it, but surely it is the sort of fare fans who have paid good money deserve to be treated to.

The fact promotion and relegation are part of the Nations League equation has added spice. There are no hiding places and that is to be commended.

If Germany were simply playing friendlies at the moment, as opposed to games against higher-level teams, there might not be the same cause for alarm. Their 3-0 defeat away to the Netherlands was a massive wake-up call for all concerned at the DFB, who extended coach Joachim Low's contract until 2022 despite the World Cup debacle.

If you were just to glance at the latest result, a 2-1 loss to France after taking the lead through Toni Kroos, you might conclude the problems are mounting. In fact, this was a much more rounded performance by a team showing five changes against the recently crowned world champions. Joshua Kimmich and Kroos were particularly impressive in central midfield, while Nico Schulz of Hoffenheim showed he could have a national team future operating at left wing-back.

Leroy Sane, controversially left out of the World Cup squad, was not at his best but I did enjoy the interchanging between the three front players, Serge Gnabry and Timo Werner being the others in the attacking mix.

The pace of Germany’s overall game in a positive 3-4-3 was distinctly improved and although they have now lost four competitive matches in a row, there might be light at the end of the dark tunnel which has enveloped the national team.

IN addition to being happy about the initial impact of the Nations League, Uefa have cause to be pleased with the early matchdays in this season’s Champions League.

Europe’s premier club competition clicks into high gear again on Tuesday. Manchester United against Juventus will, I suspect, always evoke memories of the emotional 1999 semi-final for many of us.

That United in their current guise could be crowned kings of Europe appears doubtful, but this promises to be a difficult and interesting test against the old lady of Italian football. Paul Pogba will face his former club in an official match for the first time since returning to Old Trafford. It will not be a surprise if Juve make it three wins out of three in the Champions League.

Apologies in advance to many of the big clubs but what I find particular refreshing about this season’s matches, is that there have been surprises. Tottenham have lost twice, while Liverpool, Manchester City, PSG and Real Madrid have also tasted defeat. The competition is infinitely better for an element of unpredictability. Long may it continue.

NOT only in Scotland has women’s football received a big boost this autumn. I have been covering the Concacaf qualifying tournament over the past fortnight and the feelgood story belongs undoubtedly to Jamaica.

On Wednesday, in cold, rainy Texas, full-back Dominque Bond-Flasza held her nerve to convert the decisive penalty in a pulsating shootout win over the other surprise package in the region, Panama.

What is so remarkable about Jamaica making it the Women’s World Cup in France? Well, for starters they are the first Caribbean side to do so. Secondly, their national team was disbanded between 2008 and 2014. This time last year, the self-styled Reggae Girlz were ranked 119th in the world.

Granted, they have relied heavily on the Jamaican diaspora. The bulk of their players, expertly coached by Hue Menzies, were born in the USA to Jamaican parents. Indeed of the 20 players in their squad for the Concacaf Women's Championship, 18 have played collegiately in the United States. The other two are not yet of college age.

As you might expect from a country that has produced sprinters aplenty, they are full of athleticism but also personalities. Striker Kadija Shaw will be a handful for many a defence in France next year. Strong on her feet and clinical in front of goal, much of the attacking play goes through the tall forward.

Sixteen-year-old Jodie Brown, who set up the opening goal for Shaw against Panama, has pace and natural ability. In the words of Menzies, what she possesses simply cannot be taught.

Two decades on from Jamaica making the men’s World Cup for the one and only time, their women’s team has followed suit.

Not many expected Jamaica to get close to qualifying but a group stage victory over a more fancied Costa Rica, who reached the 2015 World Cup in Canada, was the main building block.

The Reggae Girlz' official ambassador is Cedella Marley, daughter of the late Bob and to quote from one of his hits, Jamaica while outsiders, could “stir it up” in France next year. Scotland beware.