Football – Tagged "#NationsLeague" – Page 3 – InstaSport

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Italy Soar to Top of Nations League Group with Israel Victory

Italy Soar to Top of Nations League Group with Israel Victory

Italy's resurgence continued on Monday as they secured a hard-fought 2-1 Nations League victory over Israel in Budapest. The Azzurri, seeking redemption after their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, now sit atop Group A2 with a perfect six points.Davide Frattesi opened the scoring in the 38th minute, capitalizing on Federico Dimarco's precise cross. Israel had a golden opportunity to equalize just after halftime, but Sagiv Jehezkel squandered a close-range chance.Moise Kean sealed the victory for Italy in the 62nd minute, scoring his first international goal in nearly three years. Mohamed Abu Fani's late strike for Israel proved to be a mere consolation.Luciano Spalletti's team has responded admirably to their Euro 2024 disappointment, showcasing a renewed sense of purpose and determination. Their victory over Israel, coupled with France's triumph over Belgium, has propelled them to the summit of their group.The match was played in a subdued atmosphere at the Bozsik Arena, with only 2,000 fans in attendance due to security concerns in Israel. A small group of Italy supporters turned their backs to the pitch during Israel's national anthem, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.Despite the subdued atmosphere, Italy controlled the tempo of the game and deserved their victory. They will now look to maintain their momentum when they face England in a friendly on Friday.

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Ronaldo's Late Strike Seals Portugal's Comeback Win Over Scotland

Ronaldo's Late Strike Seals Portugal's Comeback Win Over Scotland

Cristiano Ronaldo's remarkable career reached a new milestone as his late strike secured a thrilling 2-1 victory for Portugal over Scotland in their Nations League clash. The 39-year-old forward's 901st career goal capped a stirring comeback for the hosts at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.Ronaldo had already etched his name into the history books with his 900th goal in Thursday's win over Croatia. However, he showed no signs of slowing down, coming off the bench to inspire Portugal to their second consecutive victory in Group A1.The match started with a surprise as Scott McTominay gave Scotland an early lead with a well-timed header. But Portugal responded with renewed vigor in the second half, with Bruno Fernandes equalizing with a powerful shot from outside the box.Ronaldo's introduction proved to be a game-changer. His presence lifted the crowd and energized his teammates. In the 88th minute, Nuno Mendes delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Ronaldo was there to apply the finishing touch with a clinical tap-in.The victory was particularly sweet for Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, who has family ties to Scotland. Martinez joked before the match that he would be delighted to upset his father-in-law by beating Scotland, and he did just that.For Scotland, the defeat extended their winless streak to 14 matches. They have now lost six of their nine matches in 2023, with their only victory coming in a friendly against Gibraltar.Despite the disappointing result, Scotland manager Steve Clarke praised his players for their performance. "I'm really disappointed for my players because I think they deserved to get something from the game," he said. "But with the amount of balls that go into the box, you know one of them can go in the back of the net and that's what happened to us."

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San Marino Ends 20-Year Winless Streak with Historic Victory

San Marino Ends 20-Year Winless Streak with Historic Victory

San Marino, the perennial underdogs of international football, etched their name in history on Thursday by securing their first-ever competitive victory. The tiny nation, nestled within the heart of Italy, stunned Liechtenstein 1-0 in the UEFA Nations League, ending a remarkable 140-game winless streak that had spanned over two decades.The match at San Marino's Stadio Olimpico was a tale of resilience and determination for the home side. Liechtenstein, ranked 195th in the FIFA rankings, had the better of the chances in the first half, but a disallowed goal for offside kept the scores level.The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute when San Marino capitalized on a defensive lapse by Liechtenstein. Nicko Sensoli, a 19-year-old forward, pounced on a loose ball and fired home the historic goal. The stadium erupted in jubilation as the team celebrated their long-awaited triumph.San Marino's victory is a testament to the unwavering spirit of the players and the unwavering support of their fans. Despite being the lowest-ranked team in the world, they refused to be defined by their past failures. Their recent string of draws in friendly matches against Seychelles, Saint Lucia, and Saint Kitts and Nevis had hinted at a growing confidence within the squad.The win against Liechtenstein is a watershed moment for San Marino. It marks the end of a painful chapter in their footballing history and signals a new era of hope and optimism. The team's performance in the UEFA Nations League, where they are grouped with Liechtenstein and Gibraltar, will be closely watched as they aim to build on their historic victory.

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England Ruled Out of Nations League Matches

England Ruled Out of Nations League Matches

Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Ollie Watkins have been ruled out of England's upcoming Nations League matches due to injuries and illness. The trio will miss the games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, which will be England's first under interim manager Lee Carsley.Chelsea's Palmer, who scored in England's Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, has returned to his club with an injury. Aston Villa striker Watkins has also returned to his club with an injury. Manchester City forward Foden did not join up with Carsley's squad due to illness.The match against Ireland will be England's first since Gareth Southgate's eight-year reign as manager ended. Carsley has been placed in temporary charge and has given Noni Madueke, Morgan Gibbs-White, Tino Livramento, and Angel Gomes their first call-ups.England will face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday before hosting Finland at Wembley three days later in League B. No further additions are planned to the squad at this time, according to the English Football Association.The absence of Foden, Palmer, and Watkins is a blow to Carsley, who will be looking to make a positive start to his tenure as interim manager. The trio are all key players for their respective clubs and would have been expected to play a major role in England's upcoming matches.Despite the setbacks, Carsley will be confident that his team can get positive results against Ireland and Finland. England have a strong squad, and Carsley will be hoping to get the best out of his players in his first games in charge.

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Ronaldo Retains Portugal Place Despite Euro Disappointment

Ronaldo Retains Portugal Place Despite Euro Disappointment

Cristiano Ronaldo's unwavering commitment to the Portugal national team remains steadfast despite his underwhelming performance at Euro 2024. The 39-year-old legend has been included in the squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Croatia and Scotland, signaling the continued faith of coach Roberto Martinez.Ronaldo's inclusion comes after a disappointing Euro campaign where he failed to find the back of the net. However, his recent form for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, where he has scored four goals in four games, has bolstered his case for a starting role.With Paris Saint-Germain striker Goncalo Ramos sidelined by an ankle injury, Ronaldo is expected to lead the Portugal attack. The veteran forward has expressed his determination to continue representing his country, stating, "When I quit the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance... At the moment what I want is to be able to help the Selecao."Martinez is also looking to the future with the inclusion of 17-year-old Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda. The young talent joins Chelsea left-back Renato Veiga and Lille defender Tiago Santos as new faces in the squad.The squad also features experienced players such as Ruben Dias, Joao Palhinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva. Martinez will be hoping that the blend of youth and experience can guide Portugal to success in the upcoming Nations League matches.

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Lee Carsley Appointed England Interim Coach Ahead of Nations League Campaign

Lee Carsley Appointed England Interim Coach Ahead of Nations League Campaign

Lee Carsley, the former England Under-21 manager, has been appointed as the interim coach of the senior England team. Carsley will take charge of the Three Lions for their upcoming Nations League fixtures in September, with a view to potentially staying on throughout the autumn while the Football Association (FA) continues its search for a permanent manager.Carsley's appointment comes after Gareth Southgate resigned as England manager last month following the team's defeat in the Euro 2024 final to Spain. Carsley, who has been managing England Under-21s since 2021, led them to the European Under-21 Championship title in 2023.The 50-year-old Carsley's first game in charge of the senior side will be on Sept. 7 away to Ireland, for whom he made 40 appearances. England also have a home game with Finland in September, and Carsley's task will be to make a strong start in the Nations League campaign in which they will aim to win promotion back to League A in a group also containing Greece.Carsley's coaching career began at Coventry City, where he finished playing, with two spells as caretaker. He later managed Brentford before a short spell as interim Birmingham City coach.FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: "Lee is a fantastic coach who is well known to the majority of our current senior squad having worked with most at international or club level. He offers us a very strong interim solution and we are confident he will perform well in the UEFA Nations League games ahead."Carsley said: "It's an honour to step up and lead this England squad on an interim basis. As I am very familiar with the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while The FA continues the process to recruit a new manager."

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