We may not have the Premier League or Europe’s heavyweights to keep us company this weekend, but Saturday’s Nations League offering more than made up for it with a wonderfully entertaining evening.
There was a lot at stake on this pulsating night across Europe, with the top spots, relegation spots and those in between still to be decided. On top of that, we were treated to the continent’s powerhouses, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal entertaining France, while Germany and Spain were also in action.
So, how did they all get together? Check out our Nations League round-up below.
The big news from League A Group 3 was this. France Defeated holders Portugal 1-0 in Lisbon, simultaneously booking their place in the competition’s final four, and ending the hosts’ incredible two-year and 20-game unbeaten run.
Les Bleus dominate Portugal 1-0 and qualify for the “Final 4” of the UEFA Nations League! ??? #FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/l4IWzsJFsf
— Team France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 14, 2020
The two European giants played out an entertaining affair, with both sides creating plenty of chances, but we had to wait until the second half for the deadlock to be broken. The strike came from an unlikely source, as Chelsea goal-shy midfielder N’Golo Kanté was on hand to score his second goal for the French national team.
Portugal pushed to level the score but eventually came up short, meaning France could not be left top of the group.
Elsewhere in Group 3, Sweden Defeated the World Cup finalists to pick up their first points of this year’s Nations League. Croatia 2-1 in Stockholm. Juventus star Dejan Klosewski opened the scoring with a brilliant slaloming run and cool strike, before Markus Danielsson doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Congratulations, Kloszewski! ⚽️??
First international goal for Sweden in #NationsLeague win over Croatia? #ForzaJuve ⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/pMkVeYpb6W
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) November 14, 2020
But it was the centre-back who gave Croatia a glimmer of hope, scoring an own goal to set up a nervy final eight minutes. The hosts remain level on points with their opponents in the group as they aim to avoid relegation.
In League A Group 4, Sergio Ramos had an absolute nightmare in his European record-setting 177th cap. Spain Worked at 1-1. Draw with Switzerland. Remo Froller put the hosts ahead on 26 minutes, but the Spain captain was gifted a chance to level proceedings twice from the penalty spot, but managed to miss both of his spot kicks. It was the first time Ramos had failed to convert from 12 yards in 25 attempts. You wait for a bus…
Fortunately for the Real Madrid star, Gerard Moreno was on hand to score a last minute equalizer from Luis Enrique, keeping them within touching distance of group leaders Germany.
? Sergio Ramos starts for Spain vs Switzerland.
In the process, becoming the most capped European player in football history (177). pic.twitter.com/5VwELn2uNh
— MadridXtra (@XtraMadrid) November 14, 2020
Seen by Joachim Low Ukraine 3-1 in their clash, but they had to come from behind to do so on Saturday night. Roman Yarimchuk shocked the hosts with a 12th-minute strike, but former Manchester City star Leroy Sane leveled matters 10 minutes later.
Chelsea forward Timo Werner then scored either side of half-time to put the game ahead for the visitors. Germany In a commanding position on the table.
There were victories for Cyprus And Malt finished Luxembourg And Andorra respectively, while Latvia And Faroe Islands It ended in a 1-1 draw, as well as a goalless draw. Azerbaijan And Montenegro.
and finally, San Marino Holding, picked up their second Nations League point. Gibraltar A 0-0 draw was undoubtedly an absolute thriller.