Nations League results from the weekend.
Italy 2-0 Poland:
Italy moved top of Nations League Group A1 heading into the final matchday as a Jorginho penalty and Domenico Berardi’s late goal sealed a 2-0 win over 10-man Poland.
With coach Roberto Mancini isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, his team turned in an accomplished display in Reggio Emilia as they extended their unbeaten run to 21 matches.
Jorginho’s 27th-minute spot-kick proved crucial, with the penalty awarded for Grzegorz Krychowiak hauling down Andrea Belotti, whose earlier venture into an offside position had cancelled out Lorenzo Insigne’s would-be opener.
Though Belotti and Nicolo Barella squandered chances to add to Italy’s lead, Poland’s comeback hopes all but ended when Jacek Goralski received a second yellow card, with Berardi subsequently adding gloss to a dominant display.
Belgium 2-0 England:
England’s hopes of reaching the Nations League Finals were ended as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Belgium.
First-half goals from Youri Tielemans and Dries Mertens helped the Red Devils strengthen their grip on top spot in Nations League Group A2.
Gareth Southgate’s side needed at least a draw to ensure their chances of topping Group A2 remained alive going into their final game against Iceland.
However, first-half goals from Dries Mertens and Youri Tielemans put the hosts on track for a win that leaves them needing just a point in their final group game against Denmark to reach the Finals.
Netherlands 3-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina:
Frank de Boer got his first win as Netherlands head coach as two goals from Georginio Wijnaldum led them to a 3-1 Nations League victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
A friendly loss to Mexico and three consecutive draws, most recently against Spain on Friday, amounted to an inauspicious start for Ronald Koeman’s successor with Oranje.
Things were looking up when Liverpool’s Wijnaldum scored twice inside the first 13 minutes at Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday, and a further strike from Memphis Depay made certain of the victory.
Smail Prevljak pulled a goal back for Bosnia-Herzegovina but the Netherlands fully deserved the three points that kept their hopes of finishing top of their group alive.
Germany 3-1 Ukraine:
Germany put themselves in pole position in Nations League Group A4 heading into a crunch clash with Spain as Joachim Low’s side came from behind to beat Ukraine 3-1.
Timo Werner scored either side of half-time following Leroy Sane’s equaliser as Leon Goretzka turned in a dominant midfield display in Leipzig.
It was far from plain sailing for Germany on Saturday, however, with Andriy Shevchenko’s depleted Ukraine side – who hit the post three times – taking a 12th-minute lead.
Goretzka set up two goals in the space of 10 minutes to give Germany the advantage by the interval and while defensive solidity evaded the hosts, Werner’s second wrapped up the points.
With Spain drawing 1-1 in Switzerland, Germany top the table heading into a showdown with Luis Enrique’s team in Seville.
Switzerland 1-1 Spain: Gerard Moreno rescues late draw after Ramos’ double penalty miss
Sergio Ramos missed two second-half penalties on his record-breaking appearance for Spain but Gerard Moreno rescued the visitors a late 1-1 draw against 10-man Switzerland in Saturday’s dramatic Nations League clash.
The captain, who earlier blocked a shot on the line, was twice foiled from the spot by Yann Sommer on his 177th international appearance, which saw him become the most-capped European male player.
Ramos’ misses on his big night appeared as though it would cost Spain dear as Remo Freuler’s 26th-minute half-volley put Switzerland on course for a first Group A4 victory.
But the hosts, who lost Nico Elvedi to a red card for his part in the second penalty at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, were denied in the last minute as Gerard spared Ramos’ blushes and prevented Spain from falling to successive defeats in the competition.
Portugal 0-1 France: Kante books Finals place ahead of holders
France booked their place in the Nations League Finals at the expense of holders Portugal as N’Golo Kante’s second international goal secured a 1-0 win in Lisbon.
The World Cup winners and the European champions came into Saturday’s match tied on 10 points at the top of Group A3 through four matches, but the head-to-head primary tie-breaker made this clash pivotal after a goalless draw in France.
Kante’s strike proved the difference as the Chelsea midfielder stepped up in the 53rd minute after the plethora of attacking talent at both ends had misfired.