After World Cup absence, Italy start Nations League campaign with draw
BOLOGNA: Playing their first competitive match since last year’s World Cup play-off loss to Sweden, Italy required a late penalty to draw with Poland 1-1 at home on Friday in the UEFA Nations League. Brazilian-born midfielder Jorginho converted the spot kick after substitute Federico Chiesa earned the penalty for Italy. Earlier, Poland had taken the lead in the first half when Piotr Zielinski volleyed in a cross from Robert Lewandowski.
BALOTELLI DOUBTFUL
BOLOGNA: Mario Balotelli is in doubt to play Italy’s second Nations League game against Portugal in Lisbon on Monday, according to press reports on Saturday.
The Nice forward limped off after an hour during Friday’s game against Poland.
RUSSIA BEAT TURKEY
TRABZON: Russia showed that their World Cup quarter-final appearance was no fluke with a 2-1 win over Turkey in League B.
Artem Dzyuba scored the winner early in the second half after Denis Cheryshev’s opener. Sandwiched between the two goals was a Serdar Aziz strike.
BOSNIA WIN
BELFAST: Haris Duljevic and Elvis Saric were on the scoresheet as Bosnia started their Nations League campaign with a 2-1 win over Northern Ireland on Saturday. The hosts, for whom Will Grigg scored, were made to rue a number of missed chances.
BELGIUM DOMINATE
GLASGOW: World Cup semi-finalists Belgium capitalised on a series of Scotland mistakes with goals from Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and a Michy Batshuayi double to thrash the hosts 4-0 in a friendly at Hampden on Friday.
WINS FOR URU, ARG
HOUSTON/LOSANGELES: A Luis Suarez brace and goals from Jose Gimenez and Gaston Pereiro helped Uruguay ease to 4-1 win over Mexico, while Argentina rebounded from a poor World Cup to thump Guatemala 3-0 in a pair of friendly wins in the United States on Friday.
Playing without Lionel Messi, who is on a sabbatical from international football, Argentina were still too strong for an inexperienced Guatemala side.
NEYMAR ON TARGET
EAST RUTHERFORD: Roberto Firmino and Neymar scored the goals as Brazil cruised to a 2-0 friendly win over an inexperienced United States here Friday.