Croatia, Netherlands move into Nations League semis
Croatia and the Netherlands booked their places in the last four of the Nations League as holders France needed a favour to avoid relegation from the top tier on Sunday.
Les Bleus lost 2-0 in Denmark to finish with just one win from their six group games, but Croatia’s 3-1 win at Austria saved the world champions from the drop.
Didier Deschamps will be hoping to have a number of key men back from injury by the time France’s defence of the World Cup begins against Australia on Nov.22.
“It was a young French team, which for the most part does not yet have experience of the highest level,” said Deschamps.
“Tonight is a dose of reality and what will be waiting for us in two months.”
France will also come up against the Danes in the group stage in Qatar and the Euro 2020 semi-finalists showed they are more than capable of causing more trouble in two months’ time.
Both goals came before half-time as Kasper Dolbergstretchedtoturnhomemikkeldamsgaard’s cross before Andreas Skov Olsen volleyed in from the edge of the area. France were without Hugo Lloris, Jules Kounde, N’golo Kante, Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele and Karim Benzema through injury. But the star trio of Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe failed to find a way back into the game for France.
Denmark’s win meant Croatia needed to get all three points in Austria to top the group.
Luka Modric got the 2018 World Cup finalists off to a flying start, but they were quickly pegged back by Christoph Baumgartner’s header.
Two goals in three second-half minutes proved decisive as Marko Livaja and Dejan Lovren headed in at the far post.
“Austria made our lives very hard, but in the end, the win was deserved,” said Modric. “I am very happy that we are in the top four.” Defeat relegated Austria to League B. The Netherlands made sure of top spot in Group A4 with a 1-0 win over Belgium thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s header 17 minutes from time.
The Dutch just needed to avoid defeat by a three-goal margin ater winning 4-1 in Brussels earlier in the group.
A Belgian revival never looked likely. Van Dijk setled the game when he was let completely unmarked to head in a corner inside the six-yard box.
Wales were relegated from the top tier of the Nations League ater Karol Swiderski scored the only goal to give Poland a 1-0 win in Cardiff.
Gareth Bale struck the bar in stoppage time in a performance that will gives Wales boss Rob Page plenty of encouragement just two months from their first appearance at a World Cup since 1958.
Page was again forced to name an experimental line-up due to injuries to Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies and Joe Allen. But Bale was recalled from the start ater beginning on Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Belgium on the bench as his fitness is managed in the lead up to Qatar.
For once, Bale could not provide the spark for the hosts as they fell to just a second defeat in 22 games at the Cardiff City Stadium. Wales started the night three points behind the Poles, knowing victory would be enough to avoid relegation.
Page’s men had the beter chances before the break as Dan James fired too close to Wojciech Szczesny when one-on-one before Brennan Johnson’s
goalbound effort was deflected behind by his own teammate James.
At the other end, Wales had done well to deny Robert Lewandowski any clear sights of goal but one moment of magic from the Barcelona striker swung the game.
Lewandowski cushioned a bouncing ball into the path of Swiderski who sloted under the onrushing Wayne Hennessey.
Wales laid siege to the Polish goal in the final half hour and were desperately unfortunate not to at least salvage a point.
Szczesny produced brilliant saves to turn Johnson’s shot behind and prevent James’ intended cross finding the far corner.
Bale lasted the full 96 minutes in some consolation for Page and the LAFC forward was inches away from riding to Wales’ rescue once more in stoppage time as his header crashed back off the bar. Despite the win, Poland finished Group A4 in third place, behind Belgium and group winners the Netherlands, who progress to the semi-finals.
Deschamps will be hoping to have a number of key men back from injury by the time France’s defence of the World Cup begins against Australia on Nov.22