Dutch, Belgians to play for semifinal spot; Croatia beat Denmark

Sports Desk, Sep 22 (EFE).- The Netherlands and Belgium each won on Thursday to set up a showdown for the Nations League semifinal berth in group A4, while Croatia edged Denmark to grab the lead in A1 by a single point over the Nordic side.

With a comfortable 2-0 result against Poland, the Dutch improved to 13 points, 3 better than Belgium, who topped Wales 2-1. Croatia bested the Danes 2-1 and will go through if they defeat fourth-place Austria next week in the final group stage match.

Only the group winners will advance to the semifinals. The last-place finishers face relegation to League B.

Cody Gakpo put the Orange up 1-0 in Warsaw in the 13th minute with an assist from Memphis Depay and Dutch keeper Remko Pasveer, making his debut with the national side at the age of 39, denied Robert Lewandowski on the hosts best chance for an equalizer in the first half.

Steven Bergwijn added an insurance goal for the visitors at the hour mark.

In Brussels, the Red Devils led Wales 2-0 at the break on goals by Kevin de Bruyne (10th minute) and Michy Batshuayi (37th minute).

Despite having only 28 percent possession, the Dragons matched the hosts in shots on target and Kieffer Moore cut the deficit to one goal in the 50th minute.

Croatia and Denmark ended the first half in Zagreb deadlocked 0-0, but Borna Sosa put the home side on the board in the 49th minute off a corner.

Christian Eriksen brought the Danes level with a tremendous strike in the 77th minute, only to see late sub Lovro Majer make it 2-1 for Croatia two minutes later.

Reigning Nations League champions France were eliminated from contention on Match Day 4, yet they managed to give their supporters some consolation in the form of a 2-0 victory against Austria on goals by Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud.

France is away to Denmark on Match Day 6, while Austria will host Croatia. EFE jv-jaf-jc-atc/dr