Sports

Germany, England remain winless in Nations League

Sports Desk, Jun 11 (EFE).- England and Italy deadlocked 0-0 Saturday, a result that leaves the Azzurri atop Group 3 in tier A of the Nations League, while Hungary stay second thanks to a 1-1 draw with Germany as both the Three Lions and Die Mannschaft remain in search of their first victory.

It was also a day of draws in Group 4, where the first-place Netherlands had to come from behind against Poland and Belgium gave up a late equalizer to Wales.

Group winners advance to the semifinals and the teams that finish bottom will be relegated to Group B.

The rematch of the Euro 2020 final that ended in a win on penalties for Italy was played in front of 3,000 people – most of them children – at Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton as England discharged the penalty imposed by FIFA for the incidents that marred last summer’s showdown with the Azzurri at Wembley.

Saturday’s contest saw plenty of action at both ends, but neither team could break through. England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made several impressive saves and the closest the hosts came to scoring was a Mason Mount effort that hit the cross-bar.

In Budapest, Zsolt Nagy put the home side ahead in the 6th minute, knocking in the rebound after Germany keeper Manuel Neuer stopped a header from Roland Sallai. Jonas Hofmann equalized for Die Mannschaft just three minutes later.

Hungary, with only 32 percent possession, put seven shots on target to the Germans’ one and would likely have grabbed all 3 points but for Neuer’s efforts.

Italy lead the group with 5 points, followed by Hungary with 4. Germany are on 3 points and England have 2.

Poland, who came into the match at Rotterdam’s De Kuip with superstar Robert Lewandowski unavailable due to injury, led 1-0 at the break on the first international goal by Matty Cash.

Piotr Zielinski doubled the advantage early in the second half, but the advantage was erased in the space of four minutes by Davy Klaassen and Denzel Dumfries, though the second Dutch goal was confirmed only after VAR checked for offside.

The hosts were poised to win after VAR intervened to award a penalty in the 91st minute only for Memphis Depay to hit the post.

Ethan Ampadu appeared to give Wales an early edge over Belgium in Cardiff before the goal was disallowed for offside.

Youri Tielemans put the visitors up 1-0 five minutes into the second half, but the first international goal by Brennan Johnson with four minutes left in regulation earned Wales their first point of the tournament.

The Dutch are first in Group 4 with 7 points, 3 better than Belgium – second on goal difference – and Poland. EFE id/dr

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