In the other game without a stake in Group 2, that of the Belgians, England took the measure of Iceland (4-0), reduced to ten following the exclusion of Birkir Saevarsson (54th). On the other hand, Italy snatched the fourth ticket for the semi-finals by beating Bosnia Herzegovina 0-2 with Gojko Cimirot (Standard) and Smail Prevljak (Eupen). In the other Group 1 game, Poland lost 1-2 to the Netherlands. The draw for the semi-finals will take place on December 3. Declan Rice (20th) and Mason Mount (24th) launched the English on the path to success for prestige since this match no longer had any impact on first place and the Icelanders were guaranteed to descend. After the exclusion of Saevarsson, the English no longer experienced any difficulty and Phil Foden signed a brace (80th, 84th).
In the standings, Belgium (15 points) is ahead of Denmark and England (10 points) and Iceland last with 0 anointed.
Despite the absence of his coach Roberto Mancini, Italy quickly recovered the ball to chain passes in the midfield. The Azzurri had a first opportunity by Andrea Belotti, who completely unscrewed his shot (6th). The Torino striker has moved a lot but a defensive intervention from Sinisa Sanicarnin prevented him from recovering a nice opening from Lorenzo Insigne (15th) and his header went right next to it (16th). However, when a cross from Insigne fell, Belotti placed the ball out of reach of Kenan Piric (22nd, 0-1). If Italy came close to 0-2 several times, Bosnia also had a big opportunity by Prevljak whose first-intention shot was put in a corner by Gianluigi Donnarumma (37th).
Dominating in the first half, Italy pressed hard in the second half preventing the Boniens from clearing the ball out of their field. The Italians had several chances and Belotti failed to fool Piric, who had missed his exit on a cross from Francesco Acerbi (60th). But Domenico Berardi broke a cross volley (68th, 0-2). The Italians continued to dominate their opponents until the many changes slowed the pace of the match. Mounted in the game, Federico Bernardeschi sent the ball on the crossbar (87th).
To qualify, Poland and the Netherlands had to win. The visitors were the most biting early in the game and after leaving Davy Klaasen on the spot, Kamil Jozwiak scored his first goal in eight caps (6th, 1-0). After this quick goal, the Dutch started to move higher. But Georginio Wijnaldum lost his duel against Lukasz Fabianski (12th) and Donyell Malen placed his head aside while he was alone at the penalty spot (14th). While the Poles suffered in defense, Przemyslaw Plancheta tumbled easily to the right and his shot from a tight angle hit the upright of Tim Krul (16th). The Dutch goalkeeper also repelled a shot from Piotr Zielinski (32nd). However, it was Fabianski who had more work, especially on a test by Frenkie de Jong (41st).
In the second half, the Poles gave a little kick on the accelerator but the Netherlands slowed them down. Fabianski still had a lot of work but he could not do anything on the penalty converted by Memphis Depay for a foul by Jan Bednarek on Wijnaldum in an aerial duel (77th, 1-1). The Dutch continued their momentum and ended up taking the advantage against overly cautious Poles thanks to Wijnaldum (87th, 1-2).
Suddenly, the Oranje (11 points) finished second to a unit of the Italians. Poland remains third (7 points) and Bosnia brings up the rear (2 points).
Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Wales advance to League A
At the end of the sixth and final day of the Nations League B matches, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Wales were promoted. They will play in Ligue A during the 3rd edition of the event. On the other hand, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Turkey and Bulgaria are relegated to League C. Norway’s defeat on the green carpet in Romania affected the outcome of Group 1 of League B. L Austria took first place and Northern Ireland was down as they could no longer catch Romania, who had inherited three points. The Norwegians opened the scoring with Ghayas Zahid (61st, 0-1) and the Austrians equalized by Adrian Grbic (90th + 4). Suddenly, Austria, with Peter Zulj (Anderlecht) on the bench, finished first in the group with 13 points ahead of Norway (10). Romania (5 points) and Ireland (2 points), who shared the stake (1-1), remained in their positions.
In Group 2, the Czech Republic did not experience any problems in the derby against Slovakia (2-0). Tomas Soucek (17th, 1-0) and Zdenek Ondrasek (55th, 2-0) ensured the climb because at the same time Scotland lost in Israel (1-0). The Czechs (12 points) finish first ahead of the Scots (10) Israel (8) and Slovakia (4).
By winning 2-0 against Turkey, Hungary finished first in their group (11 points) ahead of Russia (8 points), who took a lesson in Serbia (5-0). Thanks to this first success, the Serbs take third place with 6 points ahead of Turkey, also 6 units.
Wales did not tremble against Finland, who quickly found themselves at ten following the exclusion of Genk player Jere Uronen (13th). The Welsh widened the gap by Harry Wilson (29th, 1-0) and David James (46th, 2-0). Teemu Pukki (63rd, 2-1) scored for the Finns but the Welsh ensured by Kieffer Moore (84th, 3-1). Wales finish with 16 points ahead of Finland 12. Ireland and Bulgaria, who drew and did not win a single game, finished with 3 and 2 points.
Montenegro, Armenia, Slovenia and Albania move up to League B
After Montenegro on Tuesday, Armenia, Slovenia and Albania landed their promotion to League B on Wednesday. Estonia, Moldova and Kazakhstan will play the play-offs to avoid relegation to League D with the Cyprus team of Johan Walem. Armenia narrowly fulfilled their contract against North Macedonia (1-0) thanks to a goal from Hovhannes Hambardzumyan (55th). While they snatched their ticket to the Euro last week via the dams, Macedonia with Gjoko Zajkov (Charleroi) failed to respond and let the climb slip away. Armenia (11 points) took the opportunity to jump Macedonia (9) in the Group 2 standings. Held 0-0 at home, Georgia (7 points) finished ahead of Estonia (3 points).
In Group 3 also, the second, Greece, received the leader, Slovenia. This time, there was no change since the duel ended in a draw (0-0). Slovenia (14 points) edged Greece (12). Kosovo, which won its first 1-0 victory against Moldova thanks to Lirim Kastrati (31st), finished third (5 points) while the Moldovans collected only one point.
To finish first in Group 4, Albania had to beat Belarussian in Tirana, as they had done on the road. Sokol Cikalleshi (20th, 27th pen.) Gave the Albanians room to maneuver but Maksim Skavysh (35th, 2-1) briefly revived the debate. Rey Manaj (44th, 3-1) widened again the gap that Max Ebong (80th, 3-2) could only reduce. Albania (11 points) finished first ahead of Belarus (10) and Lithuania (8) which won 1-2 against Kazakhstan (4).
