Four games took centre-stage as the Nations League returned this Thursday.
Here’s how it all went down…
Scorers: Watkins 7′, Vlachodimos (OG) 77′, Jones 83′
England put themselves in the driving seat to top their Nations League group as they swept aside Greece 3-0 in Athens.
The visitors began the game on the front foot and with their first effort of the game, they took the lead as Noni Madueke pulled the ball across the six yard box to the unmarked Ollie Watkins, who tapped the ball into the net.
Greece struggled to get into the game, with Kostas Tsimikas having their best effort of the first half as they headed into the break a goal down.
Lee Carsley’s side continued to control the second half, and came close to grabbing a second as Jude Bellingham saw his effort rebound off the post while Rico Lewis tested Odysseas Vlachodimos from close range.
Morgan Rogers came on for his England debut, becoming the third of the night after Lewis Hall had been introduced at half time, but Greece began to threaten an equaliser as substitute Fotis Ioannidis forced Jordan Pickford into an excellent save to preserve England’s lead.
With a draw for Greece enough to see them top the group, the pressure built in the Olympic Stadium as the hosts were roared on by a vocal support, and England continued to drop deeper and deeper.
But just as Greece looked likely to get back into the game, they were stung on the counter attack as Jude Bellingham drove at the host’s defence before firing a low effort on goal that ricocheted off the post before hitting the back of a diving Vlachodimos and trickling over the line.
There was still time to add gloss to the scoreline as Curtis Jones provided an exquisite backheel flick into the far corner with seven minutes to go to seal all three points for England, and make his first start in England colours a memorable one.
Scorers: Tonali 15′
Italy continued their fine form in 2024 with a narrow 1-0 win over a lacklustre Belgium, in a game which could have been far more comfortable for the visitors..
The unbeaten Azzurri began the game brightly, and after racking up almost 80% possession in the opening 15 minutes they took a deserved lead when a Giovanni Di Lorenzo cross found Sandro Tonali free in the penalty area, with the Newcastle midfielder sweeping home from close range.
Belgium never really got going as the first half wore on, with the Red Devils finishing the half with just a single effort on goal, and just one on target.
But they were much better in the opening stages of the second half, with Arne Engels, Zeno Debast and Leandro Trossard all having a sight of goal just after the interval.
Italy continued to have the better chances though, with David Frattesi and Di Lorenzo both guilty of wasting good chances to double Spalletti’s side’s advantage.
Despite some late pressure from Belgium, Italy held on to make it four wins from their five Nations League games, and leaving them needing just a point from their final game against France to be sure of topping the group.
France played out a low-quality goalless draw with Israel in front of a virtually empty stadium in Paris.
Les Bleus saw plenty of early possession, with Didier Deschamps’ side camped around the Israeli penalty area but unable to find away past a stubborn back line before the half time break. Randal Kolo-Muani came closest as he saw his header saved, while N’Golo Kante also had an effort well saved.
It continued in the same way after the interval too, with the French peppering the Israeli goal without really testing Israeli no.1 Daniel Peretz. Indeed, Israel managed just two efforts all game, compared to the hosts’ mammoth 23 shots, but a lack of clinical edge from France meant that Deschamps’ side had to settle for a point that leaves them needing to beat Italy by two goals on the final day to secure top spot in the group.
Scorers: Ferguson 45′
Ireland and Finland traded blows in an even first half that saw both sides go close, but it was the hosts who took the lead on the stroke of the half-time whistle as Evan Ferguson rose highest to nod home his fourth goal for his country after some fine work in the wide areas by Mikey Johnston, leaving them ahead at the break.
The hosts looked to capitalise on their momentum immediately after the interval, but Finland restricted them to long range efforts as they sought to double their advantage in Dublin.
But Finland would not go down without a fight, and enjoyed a strong spell as they looked to find an equaliser, and they were handed a golden opportunity when Evan Ferguson was deemed to have handled the ball inside the Ireland penalty area.
However, Joel Pohjanpalo saw his effort from 12 yards excellently saved by Caoimhín Kelleher to keep Ireland’s narrow advantage intact. And that proved to be the key moment of the second half, with Ireland holding on for a crucial win that saw Finland relegated into the third tier of Nations League football with a game to spare.
