Nations League
One day following the surprising home defeat of the Germans once morest Hungary, a former world and European champion was hit in the Nations League on Saturday. Spain had to admit a sensational 1-2 (0-1) defeat to Switzerland in Group A2 in Zaragoza. There was also a home defeat for the Czech Republic with a 0:4 (0:2) once morest Portugal.
Thanks to Manuel Akanji (21st minute) and Breel Embolo (59th), the Swiss were able to celebrate only their second win once morest the Spaniards in their 23rd duel. The Swiss had celebrated the only one so far during the 2010 World Cup finals in Durban, South Africa. At that time they prevailed 1-0 and also inflicted the only defeat in the tournament on the Spaniards. They in turn celebrated six wins in a row and won their only world title to date.
This time Jordi Alba’s equalization (55th) was the highest of feelings for the hosts, who also have to fear for the group victory and thus participation in the Final Four following the defeat. In the final top game, the Spaniards now need a win in Portugal on Tuesday to still win the group and thus qualify for the final tournament in 2023.
The Portuguese warmed up for the top duel with a 4-0 (1-0) win in the Czech Republic. A brace from Diogo Dalot (33’/52′), Bruno Fernandes (45’+2′) and Diogo Jota (82′) ensured success in Prague. Although the Portuguese were mostly superior, the Czech Republic also had good chances. Patrik Schick missed the best in added time in the first half following superstar Cristiano Ronaldo caught the ball in his own penalty area. The scorer shot the penalty but clearly over it.
Sesko as Slovenian match winner
One floor below, in pool four of League B, Serbia took the lead. In the 4-1 win over Sweden, who lost for the fourth time in a row, Aleksandar Mitrovic became a hero with a triple pack (18′, 45’+1, 48′). The new leader benefited from a slip by pursuers Norway, who were now level on points. Despite Erling Haaland’s sixth goal in the fifth game in the current Nations League, he left the field as a 2-1 loser in Slovenia.
A Salzburg striker, Benjamin Sesko, became the match winner for the hosts in Ljubljana. The 19-year-old, who will be moving to Leipzig next season, scored the final score in the 81st minute. Andraz Sporar (69th) had previously equalized Haaland’s lead (47th). Finally, Norway and Serbia meet in a direct duel on Tuesday.
In Group Two, WAC striker Tai Baribo gave Israel a last-minute goal in a 2-1 home win over Albania in Tel Aviv. The first goal was Schon Weissman (46th), an ex-WAC attacker. Thanks to the success, it is already certain that the Israelis will be represented in the next edition of the competition in the top A league.