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🇪🇺 Germany debutant stars; Tchouaméni sees red; Maldini makes entrance

���� Germany debutant stars; Tchouaméni sees red; Maldini makes entrance
🇪🇺 Germany debutant stars; Tchouaméni sees red; Maldini makes entrance

Matchday four of the Nations League continues on Monday evening, with Germany’s fixture with old rivals Netherlands and Belgium’s clash with France the pick of the bunch.

Here’s what happened.


Debutant shines as Germany honour old heroes

Scorers: Leweling 64′

Germany may have said goodbye to their retiring legends of the game before kick-off, but it was debutant Jamie Leweling that stole the show as the home side pulled off a 1-0 win over the Netherlands.

The Stuttgart forward thought he’d scored after just two minutes, but his effort was ruled out when VAR spotted an offside from Serge Gnabry in the build-up.

Yet Leweling had his moment in the end as he found himself in space in the box when the ball was cleared from a corner and smashed a right-footed shot right into the top corner.


France survive sending off to overcome Belgium

Scorers: Kolo Muani 35′ (PEN) 62′; Openda 45+3′

Sent Off: Tchouaméni 76′

France saw off Belgium with a 2-1 win, in what was a more dramatic match than the scoreline suggests.

First, Belgium had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty, but Youri Tielemans skied the spot-kick over the bar.

It was not long afterwards when the referee gave France a spot-kick of their own, and Randal Kolo Muani took the opportunity to put his side ahead.

Just before half time, Belgium had found their equaliser when a Timothy Castagne cross was headed home by Loïs Openda. The effort was initially ruled out for offside, but a VAR check meant that the effort was was awarded as a goal.

Into the second half and France got themselves back in front thanks to some neat passing play down the left which allowed Lucas Digne to cross and Kolo Muani to net his brace with a superb glancing header.

Aurélien Tchouaméni had been named as captain for the evening, but he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card when he tripped Tielemans, who was clean through on goal.


Third generation Maldini debuts as Italy rout Israel

Scorers: Retegui 41′ (PEN), Di Lorenzo 54′, Frattesi 72′, 79′; Abu Fani 66′

Daniel Maldini came on as a late substitute as a Giovanni Di Lorenzo brace saw off Israel with a 4-1 win.

Italy went ahead thanks to a cheeky Mateo Retegui penalty, when he waited for the Israel goalkeeper to go down and then jinked his effort over him.

Into the second half and the Azzurri doubled their lead with a header from Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Israel might’ve thought they’d got themselves back in it when Mohammad Abu Fani made it 2-1, but Davide Frattesi made Italy comfortable again when he netted a first-time shot from a Federico Di Marco cross.

Di Lorenzo had his second and Italy’s fourth when he reacted first to a loose ball inside the box and delivered a composed low finish beyond the goalkeeper.


Penalty enough for Wales to take the win

Scorers: Wilson 36′ (PEN)

A penalty from Harry Wilson was enough for Wales to see off Montenegro.

Wales took the lead when Wilson was fouled in the box, and the Fulham man stepped up to convert the penalty himself.


Elsewhere…

 


Tuesday sees Spain in action as they take on Serbia, while Scotland face Portugal and Northern Ireland are up against Bulgaria.