The UEFA Nations League returned in style on Thursday 24, September, 2022, with mouth-watery games and results. Portugal, Ukraine, and Serbia recorded heavy wins, with Switzerland pulling an upset in Spain.
Although winning with a narrow margin, coming out with all three points against a star-studded Spain was Switzerland’s best performance so far.
A brilliant showing for Portugal in Czech Republic was also recorded, but Ronaldo nearly made the night a nightmare for football fans when blood oozed out of his nose after he sustained a slight injury.
Below are major highlights of UEFA Nations League matchday five games played on Saturday, 24 September 2022.
Northern Ireland 2-1 Kosovo
At Windsor Park in Northern Ireland, a dramatic three goals in the second half shaped the game and separated the tie after a barren first-half draw.
Kosovo nearly pulled an upset after Muriqi’s 58th-minute strike gave the visitors the lead.
White scored an equalizer for the home side in the 82nd minute before Magennis’ 90+2 minutes stoppage-time strike ensured all three points for Northern Ireland.
The win leaves Northern Island in the third position in the UEFA Nations League table with 5 points, a point down from Kosovo who are second with 6 points.
Israel 2-1 Albania
At Bloomfield in Israel, it was another home win for the League B Group 2 table toppers.
Nevertheless, they needed a 90+2 minute strike by Baribo to secure the win after Uzuni’s late strike in the second half canceled out a 46th-minute goal for the home side.
After the win, Israel sits top of the UEFA Nations League B Group 2 table with 8 points from 4 matches while Albania are third with just a point from three matches.
Serbia 4-1 Sweden
It was a big win for Serbia at home at the Red Star Stadium.
A five-goal thriller in a highly competitive match saw the away side drop a 15th-minute curtain raiser courtesy of Claesson’s strike.
Three minutes later, Serbia responded, with Premier League and Fulham forward, Mitrovic running riot with three straight goals to earn his hat-trick.
Lukic completed the rout in the 70th minute, making it 4-1 for the home side.
The win leaves Serbia in the second spot in UEFA Nations League B Group 4with 10 points from 5 matches, while Sweden are 4th with 3 points from matches.
Spain 1-2 Switzerland
It was a shocker at the La Romareda in Spain as Switzerland had a better over the Spaniards despite playing second fiddle throughout the game.
Akanji gave the visitors a first-half lead in the 21st minute before Jordi Alba equalized early in the second half.
Just three minutes after Alba’s equalizer, Embolo returned Switzerland to their lead in the 58th minute.
Efforts to find an equalizer again by the home side proved abortive as Switzerland grabbed all three points from the star-studded Spain.
Spain are second in the UEFA Nations League A Group 2 with 8 points from 5 matches, while Switzerland are third with 6 points from five matches.
Scotland 2-1 Ireland
At Hampden Park, Scotland survived a first-half scare after Egan struck to give Ireland the lead in the 18th minute.
After canceling out the visitor’s lead with Hendry’s 49th-minute strike, Christie converted a spot kick late in the 82nd minute to hand Scotland a deserved win.
Scotland currently top the Nations League League B, Group 2, with 12 points from five matches. Ireland are third with 4 points from the same number of matches
Armenia 0-5 Ukraine
It was a rout for the war-torn country as they humbled their host convincingly.
Goals from Tymchyk 22′, Zubkov 57′, Dovbyk 69′ and 84′, and Ihnatenko 81′ completes an emphatic 5-0 win for Ukraine.
Ukraine are second in UEFA Nations League B, Group with 10 points from 5 matches, while Armenia are 4th with 3 points from 5 games.
Cyprus 1-0 Greece
Greece suffered a shock defeat to Cyprus after former straight wins despite dominating their host at the AEK Arena.
A first-half 18th-minute strike by Tzionis is all the home side needed to pull the shocker.
The win leaves Cyprus in 4th position with 5 points from 5 matches in the UEFA Nations League C Group 2, while Greece still maintains the top spot with 12 points from 5 matches.
Czech Republic 0-4 Portugal
It was mainly a Manchester United affair at the Sinobo Stadium in Czech Republic.
A brace from Dalot (33′ and 55′) and a goal from Bruno Fernandes (45+2′), including a late strike by Jota in the 82nd minute, made it 4-0 for the Portuguese.
They are currently top of the UEFA Nations League A Group 2 with 10 points from 5 matches. Czech Republic are 4th with points from 5 matches.
Watch Highlights of all matches below
Below are round of next matches
UEFA Nations League – League A
20:45Austria – Croatia -:-
20:45Denmark – France -:-
20:45Netherlands – Belgium -:-
20:45Wales – Poland -:-
UEFA Nations League – League C
18:00Azerbaijan – Kazakhstan -:-
18:00Slovakia – Belarus -:-
20:45Faroe Islands – Turkey -:-
20:45Luxembourg – Lithuania -:-
UEFA Nations League – League D
