Portugal became the first team to reach the quarter-finals of the Nations League when they beat Norway 2-1 on Sunday, but Jurgen Klopp’s Germany were frustrated by Greece.
Israel’s players wore black armbands in their 1-1 draw against Ireland to commemorate the victims of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack, after Irish players had worn them in the previous match in Hungary to protest the war in Gaza. Just as in last week’s first match which Ireland won 3-0, the Irish players again bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem and the teams refused to shake hands before the match in the small Serbian town of Backa Topola.
The Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1 thanks to Joshua Zirkzee’s winner to move top of their Nations League group. Goncalo Ramos secured victory in the 86th minute after Joao Cancelo’s powerful finish had levelled Kristoffer Ajer’s stunning opener from outside the penalty area for World Cup quarter-finalists Norway. Jurgen Klopp’s Germany could not break down a resolute Greek side in a goalless stalemate in Thessaloniki. Germany had the ball in the net through Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jonathan Burkardt in the first half but his effort was disallowed. The Manchester United forward was a second-half substitute in Eindhoven and applied the decisive touch with a tap-in from Tijjani Reijnders’ cross.
