Spain’s national team have finally clinched their first Nations League win of the season but still fall short of rivals Portugal. Norway dropped points one floor down for the first time – also because BVB departure Erling Haaland hardly made an appearance.
Spain won 1-0 (1-0) in Switzerland on Thursday evening, in the third game it was the first success. The top of the table in group 2 of the A-League is still held by Portugal, which had no problems against the Czech Republic in a 2-0 (2-0) win.
Portugal now leads with 7 points ahead of Spain (5) and the Czech Republic (4), Switzerland remains pointless.
In Geneva, Pablo Sarabia (13th) gave the Spaniards a deserved lead, and the offensive man ensured victory after two previous draws.
Bernardo Silva in particular shone in Portugal’s selection for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The Manchester City offensive player prepared the two goals from Joao Cancelo (33rd) and Goncalo Guedes (38th) in Lisbon.
The Czech Republic are still without Bayer Leverkusen’s top scorer Patrik Schick, who underwent groin surgery after the end of the season in May.
BVB departure Haaland is having a hard time
Norway were held to a 0-0 draw by Slovenia in Oslo, even though the visitors were outnumbered after Miha Blazic (63′) was sent off. The offensive around Haaland, who is moving from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City, was extremely difficult.
After two previous wins, Norway remains undefeated. That’s enough in group 4 of the B league for 7 points and the narrow lead in front of Serbia (6), which won 1-0 (1-0) in Sweden. Ex-Frankfurt Luka Jovic (45 + 3) scored decisively.
Meanwhile, in League C, Greece and Georgia kept their clean sheets, each claiming their third win in three games. The Greeks won their home game against Cyprus 3-0 (2-0), Georgia also won 3-0 (0-0) in North Macedonia.