Nations League: Portugal starts with a draw in Spain

Spain and Portugal started briskly at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. After good attacks on both sides, Morata converted a wonderfully played counterattack via Gavi and Pablo Sarabia into the Spanish lead. Cristiano Ronaldo, who was initially rested, saw it from the bench. The hosts could then have added more until the break.

After a change of sides, Rafael Leao failed after an hour at Spain goalie Unai Simon, shortly afterwards Ronaldo came into play. Braga striker Horta’s equalizer was not undeserved. The struggling Spanish defense was caught off guard by a push from defender Joao Cancelo. Jordi Alba missed Spain’s match point with a header in front of the empty goal.

Own goal makes the Czech Republic cheer

The Czech Republic against Switzerland also offered entertaining football in which the goals came from avoidable actions. At first, the guests did not show themselves to be stable after a long throw, Jan Kuchta (11th) benefited. Then, shortly before the break, Okafor (44th) was the beneficiary after the Czech defense was unable to clear.

In the second half, the Czechs advanced again, the Swiss Djibril Sow (58th) deflected a cross with his back into his own goal. Switzerland goalie Yann Sommer was no longer able to intervene. Coach Murat Yakin’s team then missed opportunities to equalize again.

Scandinavian away wins came in League B. Sweden won 2-0 in Slovenia with goals from Emil Forsberg (39’/penalty) and Dejan Kulusevski (88′), while the Norwegians, who are in the same group, beat World Cup starters Serbia away 1: 0 Erling Haaland (26th) scored decisively in Belgrade. Israel and Iceland also played 2-2 in the second tier.

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