Sid Lowe's report, plus roundup
Tonight's results in full
Nations League
Spain 6-0 Croatia
Iceland 0-3 Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 Austria
Finland 1-0 Estonia
Hungary 2-1 Greece
Moldova 0-0 Belarus
San Marino 0-3 Luxembourg
Friendlies
Northern Ireland 3-0 Israel
Poland 1-1 Republic of Ireland
England 1-0 Switzerland
There you go. The Nations League keeps on giving, today mainly via the medium of an enthralling performance from Spain, who crushed Croatia and seem very much to be *back*. Belgium are on fire too. Northern Ireland beat Israel with some conviction while the Republic were pegged back at the last. This has been Clockwatch, you’ve been lovely – bye for now!
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Full-time: Poland 1-1 Republic of Ireland
Again, I’m sorry.
What went wrong for Croatia then? And what went so right for Spain? It was the exact inverse of both their World Cup showings and leaves Spain in total command of the group. The more I think about it, actually, the more the three-team format may leave a lot to be desire. But anyway – Asensio was marvellous tonight, Saul and Isco too. This *should* be a team that wins big things.
England are still a goal up, so do catch the end of that if you like. But we were happy here, weren’t we?
Full-time: Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 Austria
Maximum points from both games for Robert Prosinecki’s side, thanks to that late-ish winner from Dzeko.
Full-time: Spain 6 (SIX) - 0 Croatia
That was quite sensational from Spain. World, take note!
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Full-time: Iceland 0-3 Belgium
Comfortable for Belgium. The Iceland story might be over, I think. Bring back Heimir Hallgrimsson!
Full-time: Finland 1-0 Estonia
Norwich man Pukki’s goal in the Battle of the Baltic gives the Finns two wins from two.
Spain very nearly score a seventh there – Croatia can’t wait to get off the pitch in Elche, it’s manifestly clear ...
Full-time: Hungary 2-1 Greece
Kleinheisler’s winner keeps that group open.
Full-time: San Marino 0-3 Luxembourg
I *told* you they were the future!
Full-time: Moldova 0-0 Belarus
Moldova missed a golden chance at the death but were battered for much of that. Not the ideal result for group favourites Belarus, there.
Full-time: Northern Ireland 3-0 Israel
Convincing stuff and some real hope for the future in some of those performances
Goal! Poland 1-1 Republic of Ireland (Klich 87)
Ah. I apologise, Ireland fans. I do. This is a very nice, incisive move finished off coolly by Klich, the Leeds midfielder. Marcelo Bielsa would approve. I’ll say sorry again.
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Northern Ireland would be 4-0 up by now were it not for some hectic Israeli defending; the Republic seem to be holding on quite comfortably in Poland ...
Goal! Iceland 0-3 Belgium (Lukaku 81)
Iceland’s goal difference now stands at minus nine. They feel Croatia’s pain. This goal is a really smart little nudge from Lukaku at the near post from a right-sided centre. Cause for Jose Mourinho to smile?
Goal! Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 Austria (Dzeko 78)
It had to be Dzeko, who scores a big, big goal for Bosnia on the day he broke their appearance record!
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@NickAmes82 can’t believe someone took time out to type “how the mighty have fallen” about Modric. He’s been invisible tonight, but he is still a superb player. I bet he’d get in Southgates team
— Fabian Crusoe (@FabianCrusoe1) September 11, 2018
It’s those Fifa awards next week so I did wonder if Charles Antaki was working as a double agent for “Cristiano”.
Rob Marriott has a good point about the Nations League format:
“Very much enjoying the new competition - mine is a little country (Wales) and clearly it works better for the smaller nations. But
watching Spain’s training exercises, I can’t help thinking: isn’t thisthe problem with three-team groups? Croatia’s tournament was done after 35 minutes. They have regular qualifying to focus on, and not much point in trying harder before then. Perhaps future editions would benefit from getting as many four-team groups as possible. Which reminds me, don’t we have a slew of three-team groups to start off the 2026 World Cup? Oh joy.”
Yes, I agree. The three-team format feels a bit half-baked.
“Your Modric-watch entry made me nostalgic,” reports a misty-eyed Matt Richman. “My favourite moment of his came in Euro 2012 against Spain, where he executed a virtuoso, near-solo performance to threaten and hold the then-best team in the world to 1-0. There’s a highlight reel somewhere of all his touches in that game, every one on point. Six years is a long time ...”
On a night like this one must remember the good times.
Good question I’ve just seen on Twitter – has a World Cup finalist ever lost by this much in their next competitive game?
Doesn’t that early period when Croatia should probably have scored a couple feel a long time ago now?
Goal! Spain 6-0 Croatia (Isco 70)
An insight into the “process”: I was typing an update suggesting Spain had decided to chill out a bit at 5-0 just as Isco, receiving a pass inside from the right, got the ball out of his feet with a brilliant first touch before smashing in number six.
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England lead Switzerland through Marcus Rashford. Jacob Steinberg has more if you want to glory in that, or even wallow in it.
Goal! Northern Ireland 3-0 Israel (Whyte 67)
It’s a debut goal for the Oxford winger Gavin Whyte, who reacts sharply to slot home after a cross runs loose. They’re playing some really nice stuff here.
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Not much sign of an Icelandic comeback against Belgium, for what it’s worth. One or two of these groups may look more or less settled before they’ve even got going – England’s the most obvious case in point.
Modric-watch again from Charles Antaki:
“Cigars out for Spain. Modric hasn’t touched the ball this half - though to be fair, few of the Croats have. Four nil and Modric really should be taken off. How are the mighty fallen.”
I’ll forgive him this one match, I reckon. The way in which he dragged Croatia through extra-time against England, while clearly out on his feet, was one of the finest things I’ve ever seen inside a football stadium.
Goal! Spain 5-0 Croatia (Ramos 57)
And there’s the fifth! Left-sided corner, big jump from Ramos, big header down, up and in, and he’s done that a few times before. Luis Enrique immediately dishes out a few tactical instructions on the touchline but on form this irresistible you’d feel tempted just to leave them to it. Croatia have never lost an international by five goals before – they could be about to break the kind of record nobody fancies.
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Rodrigo almost bags a fifth, claiming he was fouled in the process of not doing so, and Spain are currently rampant. Where was this three months ago? It could have all been so different.
Goal! Poland 0-1 Ireland (O'Brien 53)
Thats a nice goal! A teasing right-sided delivery from O’Dowda is headed home cutely by Millwall striker, and international debutant, Aiden O’Brien. All smiles in the Ireland camp!
Goal! Spain 4-0 Croatia (Rodrigo 49)
This is looking like a thrashing – Spain are on fire! Rodrigo streaks onto a well-weighted through ball, I think from that man Asensio, and runs clear to score confidently. This is a bit like Spain’s pre-World Cup belting of Argentina.
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Goal! San Marino 0-3 Luxembourg (Sinani 52)
Danel Sinani puts this one to bed with a nice run and left-footed finish. Take it from me that he is a big talent.
No goals to tell you about yet. Spain and Croatia are only just walking out now, the slouches!
The second halves are, with a drip, drip, drip, starting. They’re off already in Chisinau, Belfast and Serravalle.
If relegation is something that worries you, nobody will really want to lose Croatia v England in Zagreb next month.
@NickAmes82 The N.Ireland score bodes well for Scotland too - straw clutching is a national pastime. If Israel are that bad Scotland only have to win 6 games or so over the likes of Israel and Albania to qualify for 2020. Or 16 games. I'm still confused.
— Tony Reekie (@TonyReekie) September 11, 2018
Yes, Scotland also face Israel and that doesn’t exactly look a hardship.
England and Switzerland are currently goalless too – they started 15 minutes later.
Half-times
Northern Ireland 2-0 Israel
Poland 0-0 Republic of Ireland
Moldova 0-0 Belarus
San Marino 0-2 Luxembourg
Iceland 0-2 Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina 0-0 Austria
Hungary 2-1 Greece
Finland 1-0 Estonia
And the big one of the night ... Spain 3-0 Croatia.
Goal! San Marino 0-2 Luxembourg (Joachim 22)
Did you now Aurelien Joachim used to play for Burton Albion? Well, he’s just volleyed a second goal for Luxembourg, which bobbled about and should probably have been dealt with better by the keeper.
Goal! Hungary 2-1 Greece (Kleinheisler 43)
You might remember Kleinheisler, now of Astana, as the hero of Hungary’s Euro 2016 play-off. He’s on the rampage again!
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“Both Modric and Isco have been on the invisible side in the Spain-Croatia game, but in one of those cases that hasn’t stopped one team seriously outplaying the other,” writes Charles Antaki. “Three-nil Spain with neither of the worlds’s two best midfielders involved”
Meanwhile Asensio sizes up another spectacular goal from a free-kick but curls way over.
Goal! Northern Ireland 2-0 Israel (Dallas 41)
A fine finish here, Saville crossing from the left and Dallas sidefooting a precise volley back across the keeper and into the net. Two-nil!
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@NickAmes82 for a team settling into a new way of playing Spain are looking very good. Much more variety to their game. Asensio looks not bad 😂
— Tony Reekie (@TonyReekie) September 11, 2018
They’ve definitely woken up!
Goal! Spain 3-0 Croatia (Kalinic og 35)
My goodness! Unbelievable! It’s Asensio again, cutting in before thundering a vicious 20-yard strike towards goal ... it comes off the bar and bounces in off the goalkeeper Kalinic, who will be given the own goal here but very harshly indeed. That was more brilliance from a sensational player, and Spain are all over this.
Goal! Spain 2-0 Croatia (Asensio 33)
Oh my. Croatia give the ball away 30 yards out and they are punished! Asensio seizes possession, sizes the shot up and creams an absolutely scorching, oh-so-pure strike into the far corner. Spain have scored two delightful goals.
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Goal! Iceland 0-2 Belgium (Lukaku 31)
Another Premier League Belgian scores! A corner comes in, a header is saved, Lukaku lashes the rebound towards goal and, while a defender repels it, the ball is already about a yard over the line.
Northern Ireland are still ahead. Davis’s goal, on another viewing, took a deflection – still a great hit though.
Goal! Iceland 0-1 Belgium (Hazard 29 pen)
Didn’t miss this one. Iceland win a spot kick in Reykjavik and Hazard, cool as you like, seems to wait an age before sliding it low into the bottom right corner. Iceland’s bubble may have burst.
I don’t like to boast but I have six matches on my screen at the moment. I’m not sure that makes me any more or less likely to see the goals as they fly in. I think Poland just had a half-chance but I was firmly trained on Moldova v Belarus.
@NickAmes82 sallai, szalai, and salloi in Hungary's squad today. Glad I'm not following that match on the radio.
— Men At Erc (@bonesquid) September 11, 2018
Glad I’m not doing a match report on it, too!
Goal! Spain 1-0 Croatia (Saul 24)
What a goal this is! Carvajal pearls in a *delicious* cross with the outside of his foot, Saul has timed his run perfectly, leaps to meet it and thunders a fantastic header into the corner. Spain might not really deserve to lead but that’s a wonderfully worked strike.
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Belgium, meanwhile, are applying heavy pressure in Iceland but that one’s still goalless too.
Carvajal now makes a marvellous goal-saving challenge on Perisic, who looked set to score. Croatia are well on top there so far, although the right-back Sime Vrsaljko is about to be replaced after picking up an injury.
Ireland are, as far as I can see, holding their own in Poland so far. No arguments yet.
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Goals! Hungary 1-1 Greece (Sallai 15; Manolas 18)
Our Nations League cup runneth over already, with two quickfire shots fired in Budapest. Sallai and Manolas haven’t hung around there – looks like one to watch ...
Croatia really should be ahead in Spain! The striker Santini knocks wide from a matter of yards after a cross bobbles his way. If you’re wondering why we didn’t see the Anderlecht striker Santini at the World Cup, it’s because he wasn’t picked – but he has a chance in Mandzukic’s place today.
Goal! Finland 1-0 Estonia (Pukki 12)
They’re flying in now. Norwich forward Pukki draws first blood in the Battle of the Baltic!
Goal! Northern Ireland 1-0 Israel (Davis 13)
What a finish! A corner is worked out to the edge of the box and the skipper raps a *sublime* finish into the top corner to put Northern Ireland ahead!
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Goal! San Marino 0-1 Luxembourg (Chanot 9)
The defender scores for in-form Luxembourg. Maybe he was cock-a-hoop at seeing himself quoted in this:
Spain show now, Mitrovic (not that one) having to turn a dangerous Carvajal cross just wide of his own goa under pressure from Rodrigo. It’s been a purposeful start there.
Ivan Rakitic has slammed one just wide for Croatia in Elche after some very nervy building from the back by Spain. A bit of a let-off for the home side there; they were mugged very easily.
England kick off at 8pm, in case you were wondering, and you can keep up with that one here:
Northern Ireland v Israel has started *very* nice and promptly. We await the rest. Decent start from the home side as far as I can see.
Players are walking out onto pitches across Europe ... the games will soon begin!
Another good spot from Peter Oh, who is doing a better job than me so far this evening: “San Marino (population ~33,000) must be shaking in their boots as they square up to a visiting behemoth nearly eighteen times their size! (Luxembourg: population ~580,000).”
Interested in any Ireland fans’ takes on Keane vs Walters/Arter of course. Who’s right, who’s wrong? And what’s the most revealing information you’ve ever passed on via a WhatsApp voice message?
“Gulf of Finland derby? Ok, but perhaps Finland-Estonia is best billed as the Battle of the Baltic?” suggests Peter Oh.
That does make it sound rather more interesting. Let it be so.
As mentioned in the piece I’ve linked near the bottom, I went to see Luxembourg defeat Moldova 4-0 in Group D2 on Saturday. They looked very good, very slick, in the final hour – which means they’ll lose in San Marino now and render my words mere ... words – and are a decent outside bet challenge for a Euro 2020 place via the new format. It got me thinking how good it is to see genuine, competitive games involving traditional minnows – they can come out of their shells in those, try things, go out on the offensive more. It adds a new dimension ... as long as there is an obvious carrot at the end of it.
The not-quite-world-champions roll into town like this:
🇪🇸🆚🇭🇷
— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) September 11, 2018
⬇️ #Croatia starting lineup!#BeProud #NationsLeague #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/XgMfB85ls7
“That Irish line-up looks like it came from a football computer game that’s without an official licence,” says Paul Fitzgerald.
I’d just assumed most of the players were cowering away somewhere.
Spain v Croatia is being played in Elche. Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1 there at the 1982 World Cup, history fans.
All these games kick off in 45 minutes’ time by the way – that’s 7.45pm UK time, and a different time in most other places.
Any thoughts on the Nations League so far? Send them in if you have them – long or short, positive or negative.
I think the early evidence – and yes, it’s still early – is that this is a very good idea indeed, imbuing everything that’s going on with an extra frisson of meaning. I think it’ll be important that the route to the European Championship remains beyond 2020 though; that’s the slightly contrived bit but it’s really got some of these smaller sides going for it.
Will he be *on fire*?
Will Grigg will lead the line in our International Challenge Match tonight! 🔥🔥🔥 #GAWA pic.twitter.com/mLh46SRFja
— Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) September 11, 2018
Spain courtesy of Sid, whose report you’ll be able to read later!
Spain team
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) September 11, 2018
1- De Gea
2- Carvajal
4- Nacho
15- Ramos
18- Gayà
5- Busquets
8- Saúl
21- Ceballos
22- Isco
20- Asensio
9- Rodrigo Moreno
I’ll drop in a few of the more major bits of team news as they filter through. Here, for starters, is a slightly top-level-experience-light Ireland XI:
BREAKING: First starts for Enda Stevens and Shaun Williams while Aiden O'Brien is set to make his Ireland debut as Martin O'Neill names his team to face Poland! #COYBIG #POLIRL pic.twitter.com/Joi5aTfUtF
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) September 11, 2018
Hello everyone
It’s – *sob* – the final night of the September international break. Not been bad so far, has it? The Nations League is bedding in nicely and we’ve had some excellent storylines already. In hope of more where those came from, we have our beady little eyes on the following:
Nations League
Group A2 – Iceland v Belgium: A debut in this competition for Belgium, while Iceland need to show something after a 6-0 shellacking in Switzerland.
Group A4 – Spain v Croatia: Hands down the game of the night! Spain are fresh from victory at Wembley while the World Cup runners-up, who drew 1-1 at Portugal in a friendly, return to competitive action!
Group B3 – Bosnia-Herzegovina v Austria: Stat: Edin Dzeko will become the hosts’ all-time record appearance-maker assuming he plays. It’s a first Nations League game for Austria; Bosnia-Herzegovina beat Northern Ireland 2-1 in theirs.
Group C2 – Hungary v Greece: It doesn’t leap off the page, but Hungary need something to keep their hopes of topping the group alive after losing in Finland. Greece are out to make it two wins from two.
Group C2 – Finland v Estonia: The ... errr ... Gulf of Finland derby? Whoever prevails in a doubtless white-hot atmosphere in Turku will be well placed.
Group D2 – San Marino v Luxembourg: The future of football lies in Luxembourg.
Group D2 – Moldova v Belarus: Sounds a bit severe, this one, although Belarus should be favourites for the away win and a 100% record.
Friendlies
Poland v Republic of Ireland: The boys in green take time away from bawling each other out to enjoy a non-competitive game of football.
Northern Ireland v Israel: Michael O’Neill and company hope to bounce back from an unlucky defeat to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
England v Switzerland: That one is Jacob Steinberg’s problem.
That. Is. Your. Lot.
What are you looking forward to most this evening? A game you have your eye on? Something else nagging at you? The email and Twitter addresses are above. Enjoy!
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