SAN FRANCISCO, October 14, (THEWILL) – European national teams were in action on Wednesday as the Nations League competition continues to tantalise football fans with exciting fixtures. The biennial international football competition contested by the senior men’s national teams of the member associations of UEFA have occupied many a football fan during this international break from club football.
THEWILL presents below a round up of the latest results from some of the matches played Wednesday, October 14.
Italy 1 – 1 Netherlands
Italy and Netherlands played out a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Nations League Group A1 clash. The result was probably a fair one, although both sides had chances to win the contest. Lorenzo Pellegrini put the home side ahead with a neat finish before Donny van de Beek equalised with a half-volley from close range.
Ciro Immobile saw a strike blocked by Jasper Cillessen, while Memphis Depay was denied at the other end by Gianluigi Donnarumma. The two teams take a point apiece, leaving the group wide open with two games remaining.
Italy are next in action against Estonia in a friendly at home on November 11. Netherlands also play their next game in a friendly, hosting Spain on the same day.
Poland 3 – 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
A bright start from both sides gave way to an increasingly dangerous succession of Poland attacks after visiting defender Anel Ahmedhodžić was dismissed with 15 minutes gone, having been adjudged to have impeded Robert Lewandowski when he was clean through on goal.
Lewandowski wasted an excellent chance under little pressure, hit the post with a curling first-time effort from the edge of the penalty area and then slotted in the opener following some neat interplay. The captain then turned provider for Karol Linetty’s close-range header just before half time and sealed the win with a nonchalant volley from the perceptive Mateusz Klich’s precise left-wing cross.
The Netherlands welcome Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, November 15 while second-placed Italy play host to leaders Poland.
Iceland 1 – 2 Belgium
Short of players, and with coach Erik Hamrén and his staff isolating, Iceland looked shaky early on, Lukaku capitalising on some tentative defending as he turned in the box to crash the opener past Rúnar Rúnarsson. However, the hosts did not buckle, levelling when Rúnar Már Sigurjónsson’s sweet ball teed up Birkir Sævarsson to fire low past Simon Mignolet.
They threatened to do more damage to Belgium, who were without key men Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, but the tide turned again when Lukaku was fouled in the box and stepped up to coolly convert from the penalty spot: his 55th goal for Belgium. Iceland looked the better side for much of the second half, but a moral victory did not spare them relegation to League B.
Belgium welcome England on Sunday, November 15 while Denmark play host to Iceland.
Norway 1 – 0 Northern Ireland
Norway just edge this one against a valiant Northern Ireland side. Stuart Dallas’ unlucky own goal was the difference between the two sides in a much closer affair than the previous 5-1 encounter.
Norway remain second in the group on nine points as Austria defeat Romania. Northern Ireland sit bottom with just the single point and are still yet to win a game in their Nations League history.
While Northern Ireland next match is against Slovakia on Thursday, November 12, Norway will lock horns with Romania three days after on Sunday, November 15.
Finland 1 – 0 Ireland
Finland secured a 1-0 win over Republic of Ireland to move temporarily top of UEFA Nations League Group B4. Fredrik Jensen scored the only goal of the game to hand his side all three points, converting a low strike after Darren Randolph carelessly gave the ball away at the back for the visitors.
Finland keeper Lukas Hradecky produced a fine save late on to deny Ronan Curtis a late equaliser, allowing the hosts to hold out for the win.
Finland return to action next month in a friendly against France on November 11 on the road. Republic of Ireland’s next match comes against Wales in the Nations League on November 15.
Bulgaria 0 – 1 Wales
It was the late, late show again for Wales as Jonny Williams climbed off the bench to score a dramatic winner in their 1-0 victory over Bulgaria in the Nations League. That moves Ryan Giggs’ side back to the top of Group B4, while Bulgaria remain firmly planted to the bottom of the table.
Wales will be promoted to League A should they record back-to-back victories over Republic of Ireland and Finland in Cardiff next month. As for Bulgaria, they must take something against the same opponents to have any chance of avoiding relegation to League C.
Scotland 1 – 0 Czech Republic
Scotland claimed a crucial Nations League victory after a brave, defensive performance against the Czech Republic. The hosts started well and took the lead early on when Fraser finished neatly beyond Vaclik – from there, however, the away side dominated.
Vydra and Soucek were guilty of missing multiple chances in both the first and second half as the Czechs threw everything at Scotland. Ultimately, though, a shorthanded Scotland team held firm to secure a precious 1-0 victory.
The result means that Scotland move four points clear of the Czechs at the top of their Nations League group.
Other Results
England 0 – 1 Denmark (THEWILL has a report on this match)
Croatia 1 – 2 France (THEWILL has a report on this match)
Portugal 3 – 0 Sweden (THEWILL has a report on this match)
Romania 0 – 1 Austria
Slovakia 2 – 3 Israel
Russia 0 – 0 Hungary
Turkey 2 – 2 Serbia
Estonia 1 – 1 Armenia
North Macedonia 1 – 1 Georgia
Greece 0 – 0 Kosovo
Moldova 0 – 4 Slovenia
Lithuania 0 – 0 Albania
Belarus 2 – 0 Kazakhstan
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
