The UEFA Nations League, which was designed to replace international friendlies, is turning out to be an early success with its competitive nature, round-robin league and groups format and finals, which will be played in Portugal next year. There are four leagues A, B, C and D each containing four groups, except Group C with five. Each group A, B C and D contains three or four teams, the winners of the League A Groups progress to their leagues play-off’s, teams finishing bottom of League A groups are relegated to League B and teams finishing second or third stay as they are. Teams who win Leagues B, C and D are promoted the league above, teams finishing bottom of their league’s groups are relegated to the league below and the other teams stay as they are.
The last four days of the UEFA Nations League action produced plenty of high quality, entertaining and dramatic action, and of course England’s new young exciting side stole the show on Sunday afternoon against World Cup finalists Croatia. England were dominating the game but failing to click in the final third and things looked ominous when Croatia went 0-1 up after a swift and incisive counter attack early in to the second half. However, this youthful and talented England squad weren’t deterred and their efforts were soon rewarded when manager Southgate made an inspired late double substitution, which produced the vital equalizer just a few minutes later when sub Lingard scored the easiest of tap ins from a Kane touch inside the Croatia six yard box. This set up an exciting finale and a renewed and buoyant England continued their dominance and attacking threat and were soon celebrating the winner when Captain fantastic Kane, slid in unmarked to slot home a super left wing cross from the impressive 21-year-old Leicester City left back Ben Chillwell.
The UEFA Nations League action kicked-off back on Thursday and the much anticipated League A, Group 4 blockbuster clash between Croatia and Spain did not fail to disappoint. After a cagey goalless first half, the second half burst in to life early in to the second half and this year’s world cup finalists new attacking purpose soon brought success as Kramaric opened the scoring. However, their excitement was short lived as the visitors hit straight back when Isco set up Ceballos to make it 1-1. The match continued like this for the remainder of the half and a 2-2 draw looked a certainty with only injury time left. However, Croatia’s never say die spirit and world class talent was evident as they continued fight for the winner and their effort paid off when Brekalo assisted Jedvaj for a scrambled last gasp winner, which sent their whole squad and fans delirious with excitement.
Belgium, who are in league A, Group B along with Iceland and Switzerland played both teams between Thursday and Sunday and two wins for the Group leaders and favourites would have guaranteed them as group winners and qualification for the leagues play-offs. They started well, eventually grinding down a dogged and resilient Iceland thanks to a late second half brace from striker Batshuayi, but there hopes of securing a clear lead at the top of Group two were dashed yesterday when Switzerland gained revenge for the reverse fixture defeat with an inspired and emphatic 5-2 come from behind win, which put them top of the group level on goal difference with Belgium.
On Friday there was one League A, Group one game and the Netherlands continued their impressive unbeaten home form run and the upset of the weekend, beating World Cup winners France 2-0. Wales were the first home nation team in action and they needed to beat visitors Denmark to secure top spot in Group four, League B, but they were left to rue their domination, numerous missed chances to score and costly mistakes at the back, eventually going down 1-2 and Bale’s goal was only a late consolation.
On Saturday league A, Group three featured a big clash between heavyweights Italy and Portugal at the San Siro, Milan and the game proved to be a bit of a damp squib in terms of the 0-0 result, which leaves Portugal clear as Group leaders by two points from Italy. Scotland kept in the hunt for promotion from League C to B with an emphatic 0-4 win away against Albania and the result put them level at the top of Group one trailing Israel by goal difference. Finally, Northern Ireland lost their fourth straight League B, Group three game against Austria 2-1 in Belfast and they are now destined to be relegated to League C.
The UEFA Nations League action continues tonight and the big game is between League A, Group one contenders Germany and the Netherlands and the demise of the German national team since the World Cup has continued throughout this tournament with no wins and only one draw, which has left them squandering the bottom of the group facing relegation. The Netherlands are five points clear of Germany in second, only a point behind leaders France in Group one and a win for the visitors would be a huge result as they would overtake France at the top of the group.
Selections:
None.
