The Nations League group stages came to a close tonight, with several high-profile clashes taking place across Europe.
Wales seal automatic qualification in Cardiff
Scorers: Cullen 32′, 45+2′, Johnson 65′, Wilson ; Guðjohnsen 8′
Wales sealed an automatic return to League A of the Nations League with a 4-1 win against Iceland on a joyous night in Cardiff, and Türkiye’s loss to Montenegro.
They had to come from behind to do it as well, after Iceland took the lead after just eight minutes through Andrei Guðjohnsen. The striker, and son of former Chelsea star Eidur, fired home after Danny Ward’s save fell to him inside the box.
Wales grew into the game from here, and equalised just after the half hour mark through Liam Cullen. The Swansea striker headed home Brennan Johnson’s cross for his first goal for his country.
His second then followed before the break, this time tapping home after Dan James’ shot was saved and fell into his path.
Johnson and Cullen swapped roles for the third goal in the 65th minute, leading to the Tottenham man to confidently finish after being played in. Cullen had a hand in the fourth too, winning the ball, allowing Harry Wilson to fire home a now-typically excellent goal.
The big win, and qualification, continues Craig Bellamy’s brilliant unbeaten start to life in charge.
Late, late show from Hungary seals point
Scorers: Szoboszlai 90+9′; Nmecha 76′
Hungary snatched a 99th minute point against Germany at the Puskás Aréna.
With top spot already sealed, Julien Nagelsmann used the game as an opportunity to rotate, but the creativity and class of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala was missed.
It was one of the players looking to make a case for more starts who got the winner. After Nico Schlotterbeck’s header was saved, his Borussia Dortmund teammate Felix Nmecha was on hand to tap home from little over a yard out.
Deep into injury time, Robin Koch was judged to have handled the ball after a lengthy VAR call. Hungarian captain Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up and scored with a panenka with the last kick of the game to send his fans home happy.
Germany now look forward to the quarter-finals in March, while Hungary face a relegation play-off against one of the runner-ups from the League B groups.
Bosnia grab point from wasteful Dutch
Scorers: Demirović 67′; Brobbey 24′
The Netherlands were left to rue missed chances as they drew 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica.
The Dutch took the lead in the 24th minute, Brian Brobbey scoring his first international goal with a fine header from an equally good Noa Lang cross.
Ronald Koeman’s side dominated the game throughout, having most of the ball, and nearly all of the chances, but failed to get the second, and were made to pay.
Ermedin Demirović headed in an equaliser for the hosts in the 67th minute, reacting quickest to Mark Flekken’s save.
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