There was also a significant result in Austria’s group, as Ireland beat Israel 3-0 to bounce back from their opening defeat and re-enter the race for the leading positions. Monday’s League A programme is headlined by Belgium against France and Türkiye against Italy.
Austria stay perfect as Germany lose to Greece
Austria beat Kosovo 3-1 at Vienna’s Ernst Happel Stadium to make it six points from their opening two matches. David Affengruber and Junior Adamu put the hosts firmly in control before half-time, before substitute Carney Chukwuemeka made it 3-0 shortly after the hour mark. Edon Zhegrova pulled one back from the penalty spot. Our full analysis of Austria’s victory can be found here.
Germany endured a very different evening. Jürgen Klopp’s side suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Greece in Augsburg. Dimitrios Kourbelis scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute to hand Greece their first-ever victory over Germany. Our full match analysis can be found here.
Greece now lead Group A2 with six points, ahead of the Netherlands on four, while Germany have one point from their opening two matches.
Meerdink fires Netherlands to victory in Belgrade
After drawing 1-1 with Germany, the Netherlands claimed their first win under Xavi Hernández with a 2-1 victory in Serbia. Mexx Meerdink proved decisive in Belgrade. The 23-year-old AZ Alkmaar striker made his first start for Oranje and converted a penalty around the half-hour mark after Crysencio Summerville had been fouled.
Serbia responded immediately after the interval. Luka Jović came on at half-time and needed less than a minute to equalise from close range. The Netherlands gradually regained control, however. Ruben van Bommel first struck the post before Meerdink completed his brace around 20 minutes from time with a precise finish into the bottom corner. It was Xavi’s first victory as Netherlands head coach after the draw against Germany.
Damsgaard inspires Denmark to 2-0 win over Wales
Denmark responded to their opening 3-2 defeat in Norway by beating Wales 2-0 in Copenhagen. Mikkel Damsgaard was the standout player, with much of Denmark’s most dangerous attacking play going through him.
The hosts already enjoyed around 70 per cent possession in the first half, with Damsgaard also striking the post from distance. After the break, his deliveries played a part in both goals. Ben Davies first diverted a Damsgaard cross into his own net before Damsgaard also created the second, with Gustav Isaksen finishing via the crossbar. Denmark now have three points, level with Norway, while Wales remain pointless after defeats to Portugal and Denmark.
Portugal win in Oslo as Ronaldo remains on the bench
Portugal beat Norway 2-1 in the Group A4 heavyweight clash and remain perfect after two matches. Cristiano Ronaldo stayed on the bench throughout, but Portugal still had enough attacking quality to take all three points.
João Félix finished off a well-worked move in the 17th minute to put the visitors ahead. Norway then created their best chances through Erling Haaland, who was twice denied by Diogo Costa before half-time. The striker did find the net shortly after the restart, however, converting the rebound after Martin Ødegaard’s free-kick was not held by the Portuguese goalkeeper.
Portugal responded just three minutes later. Gonçalo Ramos intercepted a poor pass from Ørjan Nyland and beat the Norwegian goalkeeper from outside the penalty area to make it 2-1. Rafael Leão later hit the crossbar. Portugal therefore move on to six points and have made an early move to the top of the group.
Austria’s next opponents beat Israel
Ireland recorded a convincing 3-0 victory in Austria’s group and effectively settled the contest inside the opening 25 minutes.
Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute, Adam Idah doubled the lead only two minutes later following a pass from Jack Moylan, and Moylan himself made it 3-0 in the 25th minute. Ireland then managed the game comfortably and kept a clean sheet despite longer spells of possession for Israel. After losing 1-0 away to Kosovo in their opening match, it was Ireland’s first victory of the new Nations League campaign.
Austria therefore lead Group B3 with six points. Kosovo and Ireland both have three, while Israel are yet to get off the mark. Austria travel to Dublin on Thursday for a direct meeting with Ireland.
Two draws in League D
Neither of Sunday’s two League D matches produced a winner. Gibraltar and Andorra played out a goalless draw, while Lithuania and Azerbaijan finished 1-1. Armandas Kučys gave Lithuania the lead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute before Mahir Emreli equalised just five minutes later.
Belgium face France as pressure builds on Italy
Monday’s standout fixture takes place in Brussels, where Belgium host France. Both sides opened their Group A1 campaigns with victories. Belgium impressed in a 2-0 win in Italy, particularly in the first half. Mika Godts opened the scoring after a Kevin De Bruyne pass, before substitute Dodi Lukébakio sealed the victory with a powerful solo run. New head coach Mark van Bommel will again look for his side to play with high intensity against France.
France began Zinédine Zidane’s tenure with a 1-0 win in Türkiye. Kylian Mbappé scored the only goal in the 54th minute but injured his left knee in the process and had to be substituted shortly afterwards. A tendon injury rules the captain out against Belgium and he will also miss the following two Nations League matches. Désiré Doué replaced him in Türkiye, while Zidane still has several elite attacking options available in Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki.
Türkiye and Italy are also under pressure after both began with defeats. Türkiye lost narrowly 1-0 to France and will now be without Uğurcan Çakır following his red card. Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Kenan Yıldız are sidelined through injury, while the also-injured Orkun Kökçü most recently worked individually with a physiotherapist. Vincenzo Montella has indicated that his side will look to have more possession against Italy.
Italy, meanwhile, are also on zero points after their 2-0 defeat to Belgium. Roberto Mancini split his large squad with the upcoming fixtures in mind: ten players, including Nicolò Barella, Diego Coppola and Gianluca Mancini, did not travel to Bursa and instead remained in Coverciano to train. Monday’s programme also includes Georgia against Ukraine, Northern Ireland against Hungary, Romania against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Sweden against Poland.
