Further UEFA Nations League action took place on Friday with some major countries participating.
Here’s what happened.
Portugal is working hard to reach the QF
Scorers: Leão 59′, Ronaldo 72′ (P), 87′, Fernandes 80′, Neto 83′; Marczuk 88′
Portugal booked a place in the Nations League quarter-finals after a 5-1 victory over Poland at home.
The hosts dominated the game with 70% possession, but it was a frustrating first 45 minutes with no efforts on target.
Instead, Poland hinted they could break the deadlock with Krzysztof Piątek and Piotr Zieliński impressing.
But the Selecão then increased the pressure in the second half and finally clicked.
A sudden run down the left from Nuno Mendes saw the ball curl into the box, where a diving Rafael Leão headed home the opener.
Cristiano Ronaldo then won a penalty and headed home to the same stadium where he scored his first for his country 20 years ago.
One Bruno Fernandes also got in on the action with a thumping strike from distance to round off a strong second-half performance.
Pedro Neto scored four after receiving a through ball from his captain and a vintage bicycle kick from Ronaldo made it five on the night.
Poland, however, had the last laugh when Dominik Marczuk erased their hopes of a clean sheet.
In the standings of Group A1, Portugal is first followed by Croatia, Poland and Scotland with one match remaining. Second and fourth are only separated by three points.
Spain hold on to beat Denmark
Scorers: Isaksen 84′; Oyarzabal 15′, Pérez 58′
Reigning European champions Spain maintained their unbeaten run in the Nations League with a 2-1 victory over Denmark.
It didn’t take long for La Roja to open the scoring when a defensive error from Jannik Vestergaard gifted Spain the ball.
He finally found Mikel Oyarzabal who headed home from close range for 1-0.
Denmark failed to register a shot on target and such an example allowed Spain to double the lead in the second half.
Barcelona star Dani Olmo continued to perform well for club and country, sending a ball past the Danish defenders to find Ayoze Perez, who doubled the lead.
Stars Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Højlund were both sent off after being ineffective, leaving the opportunity for a replacement to turn things around.
Lazio’s hidden ace Gustav Isaksen pulled one back for the hosts inside the box after a sloppy back pass from Spain.
However, the late goal was not enough to spark a comeback.
In the classification of group A4, Spain is in the lead and has already reached the quarter-finals. In second place, Denmark is two points ahead of Serbia, while Switzerland is fourth.
Scotland ahead of Croatia, reduced to 10
Scorers: McGinn 86′. Red: Sučić 43′
It was a cagey affair inside Hampden Park as Scotland battled to a 1-0 victory over 10-man Croatia.
Scott McTominay was the liveliest player on the pitch for the hosts, calling on goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski to make a diving save.
But in reality, it was Croatia who came closest to opening the scoring, with Andrej Kramarić and Luka Sučić missing a few chances.
Scotland, however, had a stroke of luck just before half-time. Two yellows in quick succession allowed Sučić to get his marching order.
The numerical advantage put the hosts in control for the second 45 minutes of the game, but Steve Clarke’s men missed their finishing touch in front of goal.
Ben Doak missed a few chances to break the deadlock. Luka Modrić, meanwhile, tried to rally his team towards the other end of the field.
The Liverpool star, however, then proved to be the difference maker.
He forced a save from Kotarski and the ball fell to substitute John McGinn who volleyed home the winner.
In the standings of Group A1, Portugal is first followed by Croatia, Poland and Scotland with one match remaining. Second and fourth are only separated by three points.
Other results…
We’ll have plenty more Nations League action for you this weekend!
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