UEFA Nations League: Belgium thump Poland; Netherlands ends Wales unbeaten run
Belgium responded to their opening UEFA Nations League defeat against the Netherlands with five second-half goals as they came back to thump Poland 6-1.
Belgium began brightly, Michy Batshuayi hitting the post then having a goal disallowed in the first five minutes. Poland’s response was a patient one, their strikers going closer and closer until Robert Lewandowski took one touch to control then got their opener with a half-volley after 28 minutes.
The home team were level shortly before half-time as Timothy Castagne’s smart stabbed pass was steered in by Axel Witsel to make it 1-1 at the break.
From there, Belgium went on to dominate and took a merited lead when Eden Hazard broke to set up Kevin De Bruyne as he curled in from just inside the box.
Substitute Leandro Trossard then scored twice – his second a deep curling effort – before a long-range drive from Leander Dendoncker and Loïs Openda’s first goal for his country rounded off an ultimately emphatic win.
Belgium have now scored in 46 consecutive international matches, as well as in their last 14 UEFA Nations League fixtures.
The Netherlands made it two wins from two in Group A4 in dramatic fashion, Wout Weghorst heading the winning goal four minutes into added time, moments after Rhys Norrington-Davies had seemingly salvaged a point for Wales.
The first half proved an even contest, Norrington-Davies heading narrowly over for the home side and Harry Wilson drawing a diving stop from Mark Flekken. At the other end, Teun Koopmeiners had an early effort blocked while Cody Gakpo’s shot deflected just wide shortly before half-time.
The Netherlands emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and within five minutes they were ahead. Patient build-up created space for Jery Schouten to find Koopmeiners just inside the area, and a low shot flew past the dive of Wales’ substitute goalkeeper Adam Davies.
Wales sought a way back into the contest but looked like coming up short until two minutes into added time when Connor Roberts delivered an inviting cross that Norrington-Davies climbed above Hans Hateboer to meet at the far post with a thumping header.
Before Welsh celebrations had died down, however, Netherlands substitute Frenkie de Jong led a counterattack and found Tyrell Malacia down the left.
Weghorst pulled away to the penalty spot to meet his cross and planted his diving header inside the post to give his side a dramatic victory.
This was Wales’ first home defeat since November 2018, ending their 19-match unbeaten run with the Dutch winning all nine of their games against Wales, scoring 26 goals and conceding only six.
Full Results
Belgium 6-1 Poland
Wales 1-2 Netherlands
Republic of Ireland 0-1 Ukraine
Scotland 2-0 Armenia
