Portugal Reach Nations League Quarter-Finals as Germany Draw with Greece
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Portugal became the first team to secure a place in the Nations League quarter-finals after defeating Norway 2-1 on Sunday, while Germany were held to a goalless draw by Greece.
Portugal completed the victory without Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the national team camp after coach Jorge Jesus left him on the bench earlier in the week.
Norway took the lead through a spectacular long-range effort from Kristoffer Ajer. Portugal responded when Joao Cancelo found the net with a powerful strike before Goncalo Ramos scored the winning goal in the 86th minute.
Following the match, Jesus said Ronaldo could return to the national team if he chooses to do so. The coach said discussions could take place before the next international call-up, but the final decision would rest with the veteran forward.
Germany, meanwhile, struggled to break down Greece in Thessaloniki as the match ended 0-0. Germany appeared to have taken the lead when Jonathan Burkardt scored, but the Eintracht Frankfurt forward’s goal was ruled out.
The result leaves new Germany coach Jurgen Klopp with one defeat, one victory and one draw from his first three matches in charge.
In another Group League fixture, the Netherlands defeated Serbia 2-1 in Eindhoven to move to the top of their group. Joshua Zirkzee scored the decisive goal after coming on as a second-half substitute, finishing from Tijjani Reijnders’ cross.
The match was also a landmark occasion for Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk, who earned his 100th international cap. Coach Xavi Hernandez remains unbeaten after four matches, recording two wins and two draws.
Elsewhere, Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel in a match marked by pre-game tributes to the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack. Israel’s players wore black armbands carrying the date “7.10”.
Ireland took the lead through Troy Parrott’s penalty in the 39th minute after Jimmy Dunne was fouled. Israel equalised shortly after half-time when Dor Peretz scored from close range following a deflection off Ireland defender Liam Scales.
The draw made Ireland’s qualification route more difficult, with the team sitting third in League B Group 3 behind Austria and Kosovo. Israel remain bottom with two points.
Wales also suffered another defeat after Denmark secured a 1-0 victory in Cardiff. Rasmus Hojlund converted a 75th-minute penalty to settle the contest after Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward brought down Denmark midfielder Gustav Isaksen.
Ward had produced several saves to keep Wales in the game, but Denmark eventually secured all three points from the spot.
