Spain, Portugal assured of quarterfinal spots in UEFA Nations League
Spain ensured it has the chance to defend its UEFA Nations League title after booking a place in the quarterfinals thanks to a 2-1 win away to Denmark in Group 4 on Friday.
Timo Werner was on song as his brace helped Germany beat Ukraine 3-1 in Leipzig in the ongoing UEFA Nations League. The Chelsea player’s double at his old home, Red Bull Arena, ensured Germany go to the top of their group.
Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk had given the visitors an unexpected lead in the 12th minute. However, it took just nine minutes for the hosts to bring parity as Leroy Sane scored the equaliser.
Werner saw the net for the first time in the opening half itself in the 33rd minute before doubling his tally in the 66th minute. The result left Germany at the top of the their group with Spain trailing by one point.
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In another match of the night, another Chelsea player N’Golo Kante scored the only goal as France edged past Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon to help his team secure a spot in the finals of Nations League.
The contest that was fought neck and neck between both the teams saw Kante capitalised on a rebound in the 53rd minute. The win made sure that the World Champions climb to the top of Group 3 ahead of the European champions Portugal.
France lead Portugal by three points ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Sweden in Paris but are guaranteed first place by virtue of their superior head-to-head record.
Didier Deschamps’ side became the first team to advance to the finals, which UEFA has pencilled in for October next year. Portugal won the inaugural edition on home soil in 2019.
Sergio Ramos missed two penalties as Spain needed a late equaliser from Gerard Moreno to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in the Nations League on Saturday. Ramos was making his 177th appearance for Spain to become the most capped European player in history, pulling clear of Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon, who has 176. But instead of a celebration in Basel, it was a night to forget for the defender, who saw one spot-kick saved by Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer but backed himself to score a second, only to miss again with a dreadful attempted ‘Panenka’.
With AFP inputs (accessed via PTI)
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