Spain leapfrog Denmark; Portugal extend 100% start; Belarus earn draw

The final round of October’s first Nations League encounters concluded on Saturday.

Here’s what went down.

Spain leapfrog Danes with touch of class

Scorers: Zubimendi 79′

Spain overtook Denmark with a 1-0 win in their League A: Group 4 top-of-the-table meeting.

Álvaro Morata fired the European champions’ first warning shot with an effort which trickled just past Kasper Schmeichel’s lefthand post.

Their visitors almost threatened when Christian Eriksen fired a ball across the face of goal but David Raya was out quickly to thwart Kasper Dolberg.

La Roja spurned a golden opportunity shortly before half-time when Pedro Porro released Lamine Yamal, who could only fire over the crossbar.

They continued to pile the pressure on after the interval as Fabián Ruiz fired into the side netting before Morata was denied on two occasions by Schmeichel.

But Martín Zubimendi picked a perfect time to open his international account by volleying first-time after Victor Nelsson’s half-cleared.

Luis de la Fuente’s side moved a point ahead of Denmark with their victory in Murcia as both teams prepare to return to action on Tuesday.

Portugal clinch perfect hat-trick

Scorers: Zieliński 78′; Bernardo 26′, Ronaldo 37′, Bednarek OG 89′

Portugal extended their 100% record in the current Nations League campaign with a 3-1 win over Poland.

Bernardo Silva volleyed home the opener after Bruno Fernandes nodded down Rúben Neves’ floated ball over the top.

The Seleção doubled their lead through Cristiano Ronaldo’s sidefooted effort after Rafael Leão’s initial shot crashed back off the post.

Piotr Zieliński threatened to set up a potentially nervy finish by rifling in a reducer just 12 minutes from the end of normal time.

But Jan Bednarek sealed a comfortable victory with an own goal as he attempted to cut out a cross during the closing stages.

Roberto Martínez’s side continue to lead League A: Group 1 with nine points from their opening three games while Poland remain third.

Belarus hold on against Northern Ireland

Belarus claimed a hard-fought point in their 0-0 draw with Northern Ireland.

The visitors dominated chances in either half of their behind-closed-doors meeting at Hungary’s ZTE Arena.

Michael O’Neill’s notably hit the woodwork through Eoin Toal, who also had a goal disallowed for a build-up foul.

Fyodor Lapoukhov continued to repel the Green and White Army to grind out a stalemate in Zalaegerszeg.

The White Wings sit at the summit of League C: Group 3 while Northern Ireland are a point behind in third.

Croatia comeback downs Scotland

Scorers: Matanović 36′, Kramarić 70′; Ćaleta-Car OG 33′

Croatia produced a comeback to claim a 2-1 win over Scotland.

The visitors opened the scoring through Duje Ćaleta-Car’s sending his clearance from Ryan Christie’s short on the turn into his own net.

But their advantage lasted all of three minutes as Igor Matanović levelled by powering home from Ivan Perišić’s right-sided cross.

Zlatko Dalić’s side took the lead in the second half when Andrej Kramarić headed the rebound from Craig Gordon parrying Borna Sosa’s shot.

Deep into added time, Ché Adams appeared to have snatched a point for the Tartan Army but saw his effort disallowed for offside.

The Kockasti finished Saturday behind Portugal in League A: Group 1 while Scotland are still rooted to the foot of the table on zero points.

Other results

Serbia 2-0 Switzerland

Lithuania 1-2 Kosovo

Cyprus 0-3 Romania

Bulgaria 0-0 Luxembourg