England rises again, Belgium slumps in Nations League drama
England surged into the UEFA Nations League finals tournament on Sunday, and Belgium threw away its place in a stunning 5-2 loss at Switzerland.
On a day of come-from-behind wins and twisting fortunes for the World Cup’s beaten semifinalists, England edged Croatia 21 to avenge defeat when the teams met in Russia in July.
England had to beat Croatia to advance over group leader Spain and trailed late, before Jesse Lingard leveled in the 78th and captain Harry Kane got the decisive goal in the 85th.
Belgium, which finished third in Russia, seemed certain to join England and host Portugal in the inaugural Final Four of world soccer’s newest tournament in June.
The top-ranked team still needs a trophy to back up its status and eased into a quick 2-0 lead against Switzerland.
Needing to score at least four to advance, the Swiss got three by halftime and added two more later to shock the Belgians.
“Too many individual errors. I have no words,” Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld said.
The group was settled on a head-to-head tiebreaker with both teams on nine points. Switzerland’s three-goal margin outweighed Belgium’s 2-1 win in Brussels last month.
Sunday’s dramatic games between top 10-ranked teams added to the strong impression made by the first Nations League.
UEFA created the competition – amid some skepticism given the busy soccer calendar – to replace mostly meaningless and unpopular international friendly games.
It gives unheralded national teams in the lower tiers a route to qualify for the European Championship through a subsequent playoff round.
At the top, the best national teams get guaranteed games against each other and fight for a trophy in the odd-numbered years between World Cups and Euros.
The Nations League Final Four draw takes place Dec. 3 in Dublin.
Spain wants 2030 World Cup bid with Morocco and Portugal
Spain wants Morocco to join a three-country bid with Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup.
A government spokeswoman says Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez conveyed the offer to Moroccan counterpart Saad Eddine El Othmani during a brief visit to the north African country. The spokeswoman, as is custom, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
There was no immediate response from the government in Rabat.
According to Spanish media, a World Cup bid spanning two continents had been floated in September when Sanchez met in Madrid with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
South American soccer leaders are already promoting a three-way centenary bid by Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay. Uruguay hosted the first World Cup in 1930. There is already European interest from England, which is exploring bidding with its neighbours.