Yahoo Sports 🌍 Nations League: England beat Ireland; big wins for Germany, Netherlands
Saturday saw the first round of Nations League fixtures in the international break conclude.
Here’s what went down.
Germany trounce Hungary
Scorers: Füllkrug 27′, Musiala 58′, Wirtz 66′, Pavlović 77′, Havertz (PEN) 81′
Germany began their Nations League campaign with an emphatic 5-0 rout over Hungary.
The hosts took the lead midway through the first half when Jamal Musiala teed up Niclas FĂĽllkrug for a simple finish in the area.
Musiala scored in his own right after the interval with a superb solo effort after he was released downfield by Florian Wirtz.
He returned the compliment just eight minutes later by setting up the Bayer Leverkusen playmaker to unleash a low drive.
Aleksandar Pavlović set Julian Naglesmann’s side on their way to a comprehensive score line by firing past Péter Gulácsi.
A fifth followed after Willi Orbán had bundled over Kai Havertz in the penalty area, allowing the Arsenal man to convert.
Netherlands prove too strong
Scorers: Zirkzee 13′, Reijnders 45+2′, Gakpo 66′, Weghorst 88′, Simons 90+2′; Demirović 26′, Džeko 73′
The Netherlands produced a prolific opening to their group campaign with a 5-2 dismantling of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring by heading the ball backwards after it broke for him inside the penalty area.
The visitors pulled level when Denis Huseinbašić played Ermedin Demirović through the heart of defence to fire home.
Ronald Koeman’s side restored their advantage deep in first-half added time courtesy of Tijani Reijnders’ coolly-taken finish.
Poacher turned provider midway through the second half as Reijnders’ cutback to the far post was slotted home by Cody Gakpo.
Edin Džeko threatened to set up a potentially nervy finale by slotting past Bart Verbruggen from Demirović’s ball over the top.
But Wout Weghorst removed any doubt with a rebounded strike before Xavi Simons added a fifth deep in added time.
Carsley’s England reign off to a flyer
Scorers: Rice 11′, Grealish 26′
England handed interim manager Lee Carsley a perfect start with a 2-0 win over Ireland.
Jayson Molumby enjoyed the hosts’ first opening at the Aviva Stadium as he headed an early Robby Brady corner over completely unmarked.
The Three Lions’ response minutes later was almost identical as Harry Kane blazed an effort over from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s delivery.
Declan Rice rewarded their persistence with a drilled opener after Alexander-Arnold’s cutback to Kane fell for him inside the penalty area.
A second followed midway through the first half as a returning Jack Grealish rounded off a slick one-touch move with a rolled finish.
Things went from bad to worse for the Boys in Green after the interval as captain SĂ©amus Coleman was withdrawn with a suspected Achilles injury.
Heimir HallgrĂmsson’s side continued to push for a reducer as the half wore on but were ultimately unable to round things off in the final third.
Other results
Georgia 4-1 Czech Republic
Ukraine 1-2 Albania
Greece 3-0 Finland
Faroe Islands 1-1 North Macedonia
Armenia 4-1 Latvia
Moldova 2-0 Malta
