Poland relegated in Nations League
CRISTIANO BIRAGHI’S stoppage-time winner helped Italy to a 1-0 win in Poland, relegating the hosts from Nations League Group A3.
Poland became the first side demoted in the competition, left with one point from three games, while Italy are ahead of them with four and Portugal top the group with six, having played just twice.
Elsewhere, Russia earned a comfortable 2-0 win over Turkey in Sochi to take control of Group B2 yesterday, ending their opponents’ hopes of promotion to the A tier.
Stanislav Cherchesov’s Russia, who surprisingly reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup on home soil, moved within a point of promotion.
Roman Neustadter broke the deadlock in the 20th minute from close range after Georgi Dzhikiya’s shot hit the post.
Denis Cheryshev netted the second seven minutes after coming on as a substitute, finishing at the near post from Aleksandr Golovin’s cross.
Russia have seven points after three games, ahead of Turkey on three, while Sweden are bottom with one but have played one game fewer.
Turkey will be relegated if they lose against Sweden on Nov 17, while Russia just need to draw with the Swedes in Solna on Nov 20 to gain promotion.
Earlier, Serbia blew the chance to extend their lead at the top of Group C4 yeserday after a 0-0 draw with 10-man Romania.
Dusan Tadic missed a penalty just before halftime in Bucharest, firing an awful effort high and wide of goal after Romania’s Gabriel Tamas was shown the red card for a wild kick at the ball in his own box which caught Mijat Gacinovic on the head.
The draw leaves Serbia top on eight points and Romania third with six, after Montenegro overtook them to move onto seven by thrashing Lithuania 4-1 away from home.
Israel moved top of Group C1 with a comfortable 3-0 win over Albania in Beer Sheva, on six points ahead of Scotland on three.
Goalkeeper Ariel Harush had an excellent game for the hosts, making several impressive saves and also creating the opening goal for Tomer Hemed with a lofted pass, before Dia Seba added a late second.
Kosovo drew 1-1 at the Faroe Islands to stay unbeaten and head of Group D3 on eight points, while Azerbaijan are second with six points after dominating in a 1-1 home draw with Malta. – dpa