UEFA Nations League QF: Germany, Spain, Croatia, Denmark Secure Key Results in First-Leg Clashes

 



The UEFA Nations league has resumed once again with crucial wins for Spain , Germany , Croatia & Denmark in high octane clashes as  Italy , France & Portugal suffer narrow losses 


Germany staged a second-half comeback to defeat Italy 2-1 at the San Siro on Thursday in the first leg of their Nations League quarterfinal. Leon Goretzka's decisive header in the 76th minute secured the win, putting Germany in a strong position ahead of the return fixture in Dortmund on Sunday. The victor of the tie will earn the right to host both the semifinals and final in June, where they will face either Denmark or Portugal.

Italy took an early lead in the ninth minute when Nicolo Barella found Matteo Politano, whose cutback led to a loose ball that Sandro Tonali drove into the bottom corner. Despite Germany dominating possession, Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Goretzka twice in the first half, while Oliver Baumann was forced into crucial saves from Tonali and Moise Kean at the other end.

Germany found their equalizer just four minutes into the second half, with Joshua Kimmich delivering a pinpoint cross that substitute Tim Kleindienst headed past Donnarumma with his very first touch. Italy nearly regained the lead as Kean fired over after a clever backheel from Tonali, while Baumann denied Giacomo Raspadori in a one-on-one situation.

Goretzka eventually struck the winner, glancing in a Kimmich corner that may have already been goal-bound. The result leaves Germany in control heading into the second leg.

In another dramatic encounter, Spain salvaged a 2-2 draw against 10-man Netherlands with a last-gasp goal, extending their unbeaten run to 22 competitive matches and gaining an edge in their quarterfinal tie.

Spain took the lead in the ninth minute through Nico Williams, who capitalized on a sequence involving Lamine Yamal and Pedri before turning and firing past the Dutch goalkeeper. Alvaro Morata later squandered an opportunity to double the advantage.

The Netherlands responded through Cody Gakpo, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to smash home a 28th-minute equalizer. Just after halftime, Tijjani Reijnders put the hosts ahead with a composed finish following a strong run and assist from Jeremie Frimpong.

The momentum shifted again when teenage defender Jorrel Hato was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Robin Le Normand in the 82nd minute. Spain capitalized on their numerical advantage in stoppage time, with substitute Mikel Merino tapping in a rebound after Bart Verbruggen failed to hold Williams’ shot.

Spain will now host the return leg in Valencia, with the winner set to meet either Croatia or France in the semifinals.

Croatia took a commanding 2-0 lead over France in their first-leg clash in Split, putting Les Bleus under serious pressure ahead of Sunday's return match in Paris.

The hosts missed an early penalty when Mike Maignan saved Andrej Kramaric’s spot-kick, but Croatia eventually found the breakthrough in the 26th minute. Ivan Perisic delivered a cross that Ante Budimir headed towards goal; though Maignan got a hand to it, the ball still spun into the net.

Croatia doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time. After William Saliba blocked a shot from Martin Baturina, the ball fell kindly for Perisic, who rifled it home.

France struggled to find a response, with Kylian Mbappe, making his return after missing the last two international breaks, failing to score in his sixth consecutive appearance. His best chance came from an Ousmane Dembele cutback, but Dominik Livakovic made a superb save to preserve Croatia’s clean sheet.

Les Bleus will need a major turnaround in Paris if they are to keep their Nations League hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Denmark secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Portugal in Copenhagen, courtesy of a late goal from Rasmus Hojlund.

Denmark dominated early proceedings, with debutant Mika Biereth charging down Diogo Costa’s clearance and Jesper Lindstrom forcing a fine save from the Portugal goalkeeper. At the other end, Pedro Neto tested Kasper Schmeichel with a long-range strike.

The hosts had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Portugal’s Renato Veiga conceded a penalty, but Costa produced a superb diving save to deny Christian Eriksen. Costa remained Portugal’s hero, making further crucial stops, including a reflex save from Biereth.

Denmark's persistence finally paid off in the 78th minute when Eriksen spread play to Andreas Skov Olsen, who squared the ball for Hojlund to finish coolly.

Portugal pushed for a late equalizer, with Bernardo Silva appealing for a penalty and Neto forcing a save from Schmeichel in stoppage time, but Denmark held firm. The second leg will take place in Lisbon on Sunday, where Portugal must overturn the deficit to avoid elimination.

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