Setback for the Oranje, even neighboring Belgium only a draw: The Dutch national football team suffered their first setback in the Nations League after two wins.
Ex-Bayern coach Louis van Gaal’s team couldn’t get past Poland 2-2 (0-1). In the parallel game, Wales and Belgium drew 1-1 (0-0).
The Poles, where world footballer Robert Lewandowski was rested, took the lead out of nowhere in Rotterdam. Right-back Matthew Cash (18th), who was born in England, scored a low shot to make it 1-0.
The second half got off to a furious start: Piotr Zielinski made it 2-0 for the guests (49′) before the Netherlands responded with a double. Ex-Bremer Davy Klaassen (51st) and Denzel Dumfries (54th) brought Elftal back into play after attacks down the left flank. Memphis Depay missed the win late with a hand penalty (90+1).
Wales, who secured their first World Cup qualification since 1958 in the play-off final against Ukraine just under a week ago, were more active in the game against Belgium: Leipzig’s Ethan Ampadu’s early opening goal was denied for offside (5th minute). .). In the second half, Youri Tielemans scored for the ripped-off guests (51′), before Brennan Johnson equalized for the Welshmen shortly before the end (86′).
England with zero number against Italy
England’s national football team missed the EM revenge against European champions Italy in the Nations League. In the new edition of the 2021 final, the “Three Lions” had to settle for a 0-0 draw in Wolverhampton and remain without a win in German Group A3.
Italy leads the table with five points ahead of Hungary (4), who drew 1-1 with Germany (3) on Saturday night. England (2) stays at the bottom. In the last games before the summer break, Italy will meet the DFB team in Mönchengladbach on Tuesday (8:45 p.m. / ZDF), while England will host Hungary at the same time (DAZN).
The teams have met for the first time since the Wembley final, which Italy won 3-2 on penalties. At Wolverhampton Wanderers’ small Molineux Stadium, the Italians had two great chances to take the lead in the first half of a fine game. Davide Frattesi narrowly missed the goal in the third minute of the game, and in the 25th minute Sandro Tonali was saved by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who responded brilliantly.
Earlier, Italy keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma deflected a shot from Mason Mount onto the crossbar in England’s best chance (9′). After the break, Raheem Sterling missed twice (52nd/55th) for the English, with Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham sitting on the bench. After numerous changes, the flow got lost in the final phase.