Croatia secured their place in the Nations League quarter-finals with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal. Despite missing key players Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, Portugal pushed the hosts to their limits, leaving Luka Modrić and his team battling for survival until the final whistle.
Felix Strikes First, Gvardiol Levels the Score
Portugal began the match with a heavily rotated lineup, putting Rafael Leão at the forefront of their attack. Although Leão had several opportunities to break the deadlock, it was João Félix who found the back of the net. His impeccable control and clinical finish put Portugal ahead and quieted the Croatian crowd.
The second half, however, saw a revitalized Croatia. Joško Gvardiol’s initial strike was ruled offside, but moments later, he made no mistake, capitalizing on Portugal’s lapse in concentration to head home the equalizer. Croatia nearly stole the win in the dying minutes, hitting the woodwork, but Portugal held firm to preserve their unbeaten streak.
Robertson’s Late Heroics Push Scotland Past Poland in Thrilling 2-1 Win
Scotland stunned Poland with a last-gasp 2-1 victory, propelling them to the League A/B playoffs. The match featured a mix of defensive grit, relentless Polish pressure, and a dramatic winner from captain Andy Robertson.
Early and Late Goals Seal the Victory
Scotland struck early when teenager Ben Doak set up John McGinn for his 20th international goal. Despite Poland’s aggressive response, goalkeeper Craig Gordon stood tall, denying multiple attempts to level the score.
Poland finally broke through in the second half when Kamil Piątkowski unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner. Just when it seemed the game would end in a stalemate, Robertson delivered in stoppage time. Rising to meet a Scott Souttar cross, the captain scored his first goal in five years, relegating Poland to League B.
Spain Outlasts Switzerland in Five-Goal Thriller
Spain edged out Switzerland 3-2 in a dramatic encounter that went down to the wire. The hosts relied on a blend of luck, resilience, and late-game composure to claim the win.
Late Penalty Drama Decides the Match
The match opened with missed opportunities, including Pedri’s saved penalty, before Yeremy Pino scored on the rebound to give Spain the lead. Switzerland equalized through Joël Monteiro’s solo effort, but Bryan Gil restored Spain’s advantage with a stunning strike.
A defensive misstep allowed Andi Zeqiri to equalize from the penalty spot, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. In the final moments, Bryan Zaragoza converted another penalty to secure Spain’s victory and keep them in contention for the playoffs.
Northern Ireland Holds On to Earn Promotion After Luxembourg Scare
Northern Ireland earned promotion to League B with a tense 2-2 draw against Luxembourg. The visitors looked to be in control for much of the match, but a spirited late comeback from the hosts nearly derailed their celebration.
Price and Bradley Shine Before Luxembourg’s Fightback
Isaac Price continued his strong Nations League form with an early goal, later assisting Conor Bradley’s header to give Northern Ireland a 2-0 lead. However, Luxembourg found their rhythm late, with Seid Korac and Gerson Rodrigues scoring in quick succession to level the match.
Despite the nervous ending, Northern Ireland’s draw was enough to seal their promotion and leave Luxembourg ruing missed chances earlier in the competition.
Other Results
- Liechtenstein 1-3 San Marino: San Marino’s rare victory came courtesy of clinical finishing and defensive discipline.
- Serbia 0-0 Denmark: A cagey affair saw both teams share the spoils in a goalless draw.
- Romania 4-1 Cyprus: Romania dominated from start to finish, securing a comfortable win.
- Bulgaria 1-1 Belarus: Neither side could capitalize on chances in a closely contested match.
- Kosovo 1-0 Lithuania: Kosovo’s narrow victory came from a late strike that sealed the points.
Stay tuned for more Nations League updates as action continues on Tuesday.
