Nations League
LIVE from 20:45: Belgium face Italy
Fifth matchday in the Nations League: Italy beat Belgium 1-0 in Group 2 of League A to advance to the quarter-finals. A meagre 0:0 was also enough for France to advance in a high-risk match against Israel in Paris.
Tension was high in the Stade de France in the Paris suburb of St. Denis before kick-off. Following an appeal by the Israeli government to avoid the match, the 80,000-seat stadium was only filled with around 20,000 spectators. A small crowd of fans from Israel showed up with flags and scarves. The French authorities had considerably tightened security for the match. Around 4,000 police officers and gendarmes are said to have been deployed in and around the arena, while elite units secured the area hours before the start of the match.
Palestinian flags and political messages were banned in the stadium. As a sign of solidarity with Israel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his two predecessors Nicolas Sarkozy and François Hollande attended the match live. They heard scattered whistles during the Israeli anthem before kick-off.
The previously point-less visitors with Salzburg midfielder Oscar Gloukh stood up to the favorites afterwards. Bayern Munich goalkeeper Daniel Peretz saved a header from Randal Kolo Muani and was not caught off guard by a shot from France captain N'Golo Kante. For Les Bleus, coach Didier Deschamps decided not to nominate Kylian Mbappe, although the Real striker had reported fit. There were still plenty of chances for the French side. Peretz, however, proved insurmountable. Young French star Warren Zaïre-Emery (18), for example, failed to beat the 24-year-old from just a few meters out. Peretz also made a brilliant save from Christopher Nkunku deep into stoppage time.
Italy now top of the table
Italy won the parallel group match in Brussels after an early goal from Sandro Tonali (11). Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the Italian goal clean against the "Red Devils" who stormed forward after the break. Italy are now three points clear at the top of the table ahead of their clash with France in Milan on Sunday. Both teams are through to the quarter-finals, with Belgium out of the running and now playing against relegation.
England defeats Greece
In League B, England shot past the former group leaders to top spot with a 3-0 win in Greece. Ollie Watkins (7), who replaced Harry Kane in the starting eleven, scored early for the Three Lions. The British side then put in a composed performance. Kane was substituted after 65 minutes and Jude Bellingham made the difference in the final quarter of an hour.
The Real star's shot bounced off the bar onto the back of Greek keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and into the net (78'). Curtis Jones (82) finally put paid to England's surprising 2-1 defeat in the first leg.
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