Onefootball
Elliott Bretland
It was a memorable day for England though Belgium will wish to forget it
The Nations League continues to provide plenty of drama and the words ‘drab’ and ‘boring’ are a thing of the past when it comes to international football.
There were jubilant scenes at Wembley as England secured top spot while there were some other incredible comebacks on the continent.
Here’s all the best action from a thrilling Sunday.
Switzerland pip Belgium to top spot with resounding comeback
Roberto Martínez’s open, attacking style of play can fire his team’s into a hefty lead but they are never, ever comfortable.
And so it occurred again as Belgium went two ahead in Switzerland within only 17 minutes as Thorgan Hazard netted a beauty to complete a brace his brother Eden would be proud of.
16' ¡GOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
Doblete de Thorgan Hazard
🇨🇭 0-2 🇧🇪#NationsLeague
EN VIVO 🔴 https://t.co/SinPDwW31F pic.twitter.com/k1VfZWirm0— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) November 18, 2018
However, the Swiss rallied and were ahead by half-time before Haris Seferović completed a hat-trick for a 5-2 victory!
Not only was it a great comeback but it saw Xherdan Shaqiri and Co top Group 2 in League A.
Oh, and check out the Liverpool playmaker’s neat trick to help create the fifth!
🇨🇭Suiza 5 – Bélgica 2🇧🇪
GOL de Haris Seferovic. Triplete del delantero suizo ante la débil resistencia de Thibaut Courtois.
Thorgan Hazard Goal – 🇨🇭Switzerland vs Belgium 🇧🇪 5-2 #NationsLeague #ligadenaciones pic.twitter.com/HeEavJuxcy
— Omar Arias Suárez (@omararsu) November 18, 2018
Northern Ireland suffer last-minute misery
This one was cruel.
Drawing at home with Austria and on the cusp of earning their first point of the Nations League campaign, Leeds sideman Stuart Dallas was dispossessed with seven seconds left of injury-time.
Stuart Dallas loses the ball on the halfway line with seconds to go, and Austria beat Northern Ireland with the last kick of the game. #lufc pic.twitter.com/xjlSQTwdKk
— We Are Leeds (@WeAreLeeds1919) November 18, 2018
Unfortunately for Michael O’Neill’s men, the ball was quickly released to Marko Arnautović who found Valentino Lazaro to curl a wicked effort into the top corner.
Cue jubilant scenes in the away team dugout.
Football’s Coming Home…
This clash encapsulated the beauty and fresh drama of the Nations League.
England met Croatia at Wembley with both sides battling for top spot AND against relegation. Incredible.
"And England have turn it round from bottom to top in a flash." That is the reason why I love ⚽👌🏿 #peterdrury #NationsLeague 🏴 Another late goal by @HKane pic.twitter.com/2Dmo2uQyxX
— Hafizh Furqan (@hafizh_furqan23) November 18, 2018
After Andrej Kramarić’s opener, the Three Lions looked to be heading for demotion with just 12 minutes left.
However, Gareth Southgate’s men kept fighting and, following Jesse Lingard’s equaliser, turned things around through, you guessed it, Harry Kane to seal their place in the Nations League finals.
Spain end losing run…
Spain leads. Mendez the scorer. #ESPBIH pic.twitter.com/Fh3LQJwWCK
— Haris Mrkonja N1 (@harismrkonjan1) November 18, 2018
You won’t have seen ‘Spain’ followed by ‘losing’ written very often in the modern era but after defeat by Croatia and England in the Nations League they needed a positive result in Sunday’s friendly against Bosnia.
Despite the disappointment of losing top spot as the Three Lions claimed a late win, they got it.
Brais Méndez scored on his Spain debut on a memorable night for the Celta Vigo midfielder though it wasn’t a great evening for Álvaro Morata after this horror miss…
MORATA JAJJAJJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA pic.twitter.com/JHiLb2CQ2u
— GolDeGodin (@GolDeGodin) November 18, 2018
The Nations League isn’t all about the big boys…
No, this competition has seen the best of the smaller countries too and so a special mention for Belarus and their neat passing move which went towards sealing a 2-0 over San Marino and promotion to League C.
After great diagonal passing into the area, Stanislaw Drahun kept his cool to slot home. Lovely stuff.
