Germany into Nations League Quarters, France and Italy Win
In a night packed with excitement and high stakes, Germany, France, and Italy all secured vital victories in the UEFA Nations League, solidifying their positions for the upcoming quarterfinals.
Germany Edges Out Netherlands
Germany clinched a spot in the Nations League quarterfinals with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their old rivals, the Netherlands, at Munich’s Allianz Arena. Jamie Leweling, making his debut for the national team, emerged as the hero, scoring the only goal of the match in the 64th minute. Initially, Leweling had a goal disallowed for offside just two minutes into the game, but he quickly made amends, blasting the ball into the net after a well-coordinated attack.
Captain Joshua Kimmich praised Leweling’s performance, stating, “Jamie had an outstanding debut – it’s not often the Allianz Arena gives you a reception like that.” With this win, Germany secured 10 points from four matches, ensuring their participation in the quarterfinals next March.
France Triumphs Over Belgium
In another pivotal match, France overcame Belgium 2-1, thanks to a stellar performance from Randal Kolo Muani. The striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, only for Lois Openda to equalize just before halftime. However, Kolo Muani struck again shortly after the hour mark, sealing the victory for the French side. Coach Didier Deschamps expressed his satisfaction, noting Kolo Muani’s growing confidence in the absence of star player Kylian Mbappe, who missed the match due to injury.
Despite the win, France faced a tense finish, playing with ten men after Aurelien Tchouameni received a late red card. Nevertheless, they managed to hold on for their second consecutive victory in this international break.
Italy Maintains Dominance
Italy continued its impressive form, defeating Israel 4-1 in Udine to stay at the top of Group A2. Mateo Retegui got the ball rolling with a penalty just before halftime, followed by two goals from captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and another from Davide Frattesi. Mohammad Abu Fani scored a consolation for Israel, but Italy’s dominance was clear.
With their recent performances, both France and Italy remain firmly in contention as they look to secure their places in the quarterfinals.
Other Key Results
In other matches, Hungary defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0, putting them level on points with the Netherlands, who struggled without suspended star Virgil van Dijk. Meanwhile, Turkey achieved a stunning 4-2 victory over Iceland, with all four of their goals coming in the final half-hour of play. The Czech Republic also held onto the top spot in Group B1 after a 1-1 draw against Ukraine.
