A dramatic night of Nations League football saw Croatia secure a quarter-final spot after a tense draw with Portugal, while last-gasp winners from Scotland and Spain provided thrilling conclusions to their matches. Elsewhere, Northern Ireland celebrated promotion to League B despite a late scare, capping off an evening filled with crucial goals and high stakes across the continent.
Gvardiol’s Equalizer Sends Croatia Through
Croatia booked their place in the Nations League quarter-finals following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against a resilient Portugal side. The hosts had to battle until the very end to secure the point they needed to advance.
Despite being without stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, Portugal took the lead through João Félix. His excellent control and sharp finish silenced the home crowd and put Croatia’s qualification hopes in jeopardy.
However, the Croatian team emerged with renewed purpose in the second half. Joško Gvardiol became the hero, heading in the equalizer after an earlier goal was disallowed for offside. The defender capitalized on a moment of defensive confusion from Portugal to level the score. Croatia even hit the post in the final minutes but ultimately settled for the draw that sealed their progression.
Robertson’s Stoppage-Time Header Lifts Scotland
Scotland produced a stunning late show to defeat Poland 2-1, a result that sends them into the League A/B playoffs and relegates their opponents. The match was a tense affair decided in the final moments by the captain.
The Scots got off to a perfect start when John McGinn scored his 20th international goal, thanks to an assist from teenager Ben Doak. Poland responded with intense pressure, but goalkeeper Craig Gordon made several key saves to maintain the lead.
Poland’s persistence paid off when Kamil Piątkowski scored a spectacular equalizer. Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Andy Robertson stepped up. The Scotland captain scored his first international goal in five years with a stoppage-time header, sparking wild celebrations.
Penalty Drama as Spain Edge Switzerland
In a chaotic and entertaining match, Spain narrowly defeated Switzerland 3-2. The five-goal thriller was ultimately decided by a late penalty, keeping Spain’s playoff ambitions alive.
The action was non-stop from the beginning. After Pedri had a penalty saved, Yeremy Pino scored on the rebound to give Spain the lead. Switzerland fought back with a brilliant solo goal from Joël Monteiro, but Bryan Gil quickly restored Spain’s advantage with a fantastic strike.
A defensive error from Spain allowed Andi Zeqiri to level the score from the penalty spot, setting up a tense finale. In the dying moments, Spain was awarded another penalty, which Bryan Zaragoza confidently converted to secure the vital three points.
Northern Ireland Secure Promotion Despite Late Scare
Northern Ireland achieved promotion to Nations League B, but not before surviving a late comeback from Luxembourg in a 2-2 draw. The visitors looked comfortable for most of the match but were left hanging on at the end.
Goals from Isaac Price and Conor Bradley gave Northern Ireland a commanding 2-0 lead, and they appeared to be cruising towards victory. Price continued his excellent form by scoring one and assisting the other.
However, Luxembourg stunned the visitors with a late fightback.
- Seid Korac pulled one goal back to give his team hope.
- Gerson Rodrigues scored shortly after to level the match at 2-2.
Despite the nervous finish, the draw was enough for Northern Ireland to clinch top spot in their group and earn promotion.
Nations League Roundup from Across Europe
Other matches across the continent also delivered key results, including a rare victory for San Marino and a dominant performance from Romania. Several other games were tightly contested, ending in draws.
Here is a look at the other results from the evening’s action:
| Home Team | Score | Away Team |
| Liechtenstein | 1-3 | San Marino |
| Serbia | 0-0 | Denmark |
| Romania | 4-1 | Cyprus |
| Bulgaria | 1-1 | Belarus |
| Kosovo | 1-0 | Lithuania |
San Marino’s 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein was a standout result, showcasing their clinical finishing. Meanwhile, the goalless draw between Serbia and Denmark was a cagey tactical battle with few clear-cut chances for either side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams qualified for the next stage?
Croatia secured their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals with their 1-1 draw. Scotland advanced to the League A/B playoffs with their 2-1 win over Poland.
Who were the key goalscorers in the main matches?
Joško Gvardiol scored the crucial equalizer for Croatia. Andy Robertson netted a stoppage-time winner for Scotland, and Bryan Zaragoza converted a late penalty to win the match for Spain.
Did any teams get promoted or relegated?
Yes, Northern Ireland earned promotion to League B after their 2-2 draw with Luxembourg. Poland was relegated to League B following their last-minute loss to Scotland.
Were there any surprise results in the other matches?
San Marino’s 3-1 victory away to Liechtenstein was a notable result, as wins for the team are rare. It was a historic moment achieved through disciplined play.
