After a gap of an eternity, international fixtures returned to televisions sets across the globe with the resumption of the UEFA Nations League, so here is our full recap of the First Round in the Division A of the competition.
European domestic leagues have seen their schedules pushed up due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, UEFA has continued with its designs and stuck to its Nations League program.
In normal circumstances, players would have had a couple of games under their belts before reporting for national duty. The international fixtures have become part of their preseason engagements as the “new normal.”
Cobwebs were felt in the players’ performances and the technical staffs’ output, which was epitomized in the League A Group 1 fixture between Italy and Bosnia where Giorgio Chiellini could not play as he was “accidentally” left out of the lineup communicated to match officials.
Result wise, the match was anti-climatic as well. Edin Dzeko opened the scoring from a Toni Sunjic assist in the second half. Stefano Sensi equalized within 10 minutes of Dzeko’s strike. The match ended 1-1 despite Italy enjoying the bulk of possession and carving out more goal-scoring opportunities.
The other League A Group 1 fixture between Netherlands and Poland was a similarly low scoring fixture. Steven Bergwijn scored the only goal of the game which was enough to give Dwight Lodeweges his first win as caretaker manager of the Oranje. The Polish side were lucky not to concede more goals as the Dutch came close to adding to their tally late into the match.
The Netherlands are at the top of Group 1 with three points. Italy and Bosnia both have a point apiece and are trailing the Oranje.
In Group B of Division A, England avenged their 2016 European Championship defeat to Iceland. There was plenty of drama in the Three Lions’ 1-0 away victory. Both sides were awarded penalties in stoppage time. Raheem Sterling hit the back of the net from his opportunity while Birkir Bjarnason was left to rue his miss from the spot.
Belgium too managed to claim all three points on offer. Eden Hazard was missing from the starting line-up, while Christian Eriksen expertly controlled the midfield for Denmark. Die Roten Teufel had enough in the tank to claim a 0-2 win. Jason Denayer opened the scoring with Dries Mertens continuing to deny the impact of age on his career. Mertens would score his 19th international goal in the second half to guarantee three points.
Belgium top the points table owing to their greater goal difference. Meanwhile, England are second. The Three Lions are lucky to have three points but will take the result.
Group C probably has the toughest matchups out of all the groups. It also has the biggest drawing power of the lot thanks to the superstars of Portugal, France, and Croatia.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence was the main talking point for the Portuguese team. With Croatia and France in their group, they need their talisman in all fixtures to retain their Nations League title. They did light work of the Croatians who were missing Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric.
Joao Cancelo gave Portugal a first-half lead before they ran havoc in the second half. Diego Joto doubled their lead from a Raphael Guerreiro ball. Joao Felix combined with Bernardo Silva to give them an unassailable 3-0 lead. There was still life in Croatia, who managed to peg one back through Bruno Petkovic. Andre Silva would restore their three-goal cushion in the fifth minute of additional time.
There was also a win for France over Sweden. Kylian Mbappé led from the front and gave Les Bleus the lead late in the first half. The PSG attacker made the Swedes pay after a Mikael Lustig blunder allowed him to run on goal.
The Portuguese team continues their unprecedented success in the Nations League. They are at the top of League A Group 4. France have equal points but are in second place after their 1-0 win.
Group 4 witnessed Ukraine secure a 2-1 win over Switzerland at the Lviv Arena. Premier League duo Andriy Yarmolenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko scored for the Main Team, while Haris Seferovic scored for the visitors.
In the other Group 4 match, Germany welcomed Spain at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. After a dour 0-0 first half, Germany’s efforts proved fruitful. Robin Gosens squared a ball into the area which found Timo Werner waiting. The new Chelsea hitman hit the back of the net for his 12th international strike. He could have added to his tally from a Leroy Sane ball but failed in his endeavor.
There was late drama in the fixture. New Manchester City wide man, Ferran Torres’ ball found Rodrigo, who squared it off to Jose Gaya. The Valencia forward volleyed the ball home, past a hapless Kevin Trapp.
Ukraine lead the points table with three points but have a tough task awaiting them as they travel to Spain for their second group fixture. La Roja are second thanks to their away goal, while Germany trail in the third place.