Portugal hold off Italy to ensure semis spot in Nations League
Scotland close in on promotion from group after big win over 10-man Albania
European champions Portugal became the first team to qualify for the Nations League semi-finals on Saturday after holding Italy to a 0-0 draw at the San Siro.
The Portuguese, despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, progressed with one match to play, and are sure to finish top of Group A3, with Italy’s hopes in the tournament over.
The result means that Poland have been relegated to League B.
Roberto Mancini’s Italians needed a win to keep their hopes of advancing to the final four next June alive, but despite pushing Portugal for over an hour in front of 73,000 spectators at the San Siro, could not find a way through.
Instead, they earned a goalless draw which echoed the stalemate against Sweden a year ago that ended their hopes of reaching the World Cup in Russia.
Despite early pressure from Italy with Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile both going close, Portugal threatened after the break with William Carvalho denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma and substitute Joao Mario shooting over. Portugal host Poland in their final Nations League game today, with Italy playing a friendly against the United States in Genk.
Scotland win 4-0
Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser scored his maiden international goal as Alex McLeish’s Scotland thrashed 10-man Albania 4-0 in Shkoder on Saturday to close in on promotion from Nations League C. The Scots will secure top spot in Group C1 and a Euro 2020 playoff place if they can beat Israel at Hampden Park today.
Fraser scored an excellent individual goal to give the visitors a 14th-minute lead.
Earlier on Saturday, Kosovo took a big step towards reaching the qualifying play-offs for the Euros with a 5-0 thrashing of Malta. Bernard Challandes’ side sit top in Group D3 and will secure promotion and a playoff place if they can avoid a home defeat against Azerbaijan in their final game tomorrow.