SSpain’s footballers snatched the last remaining spot in the Nations League final tournament from Portugal and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo with a late goal. Thanks to Álvaro Morata’s goal (88th minute), the Spaniards won 1-0 (0-0) in Braga on Tuesday evening and thus secured participation in the Final Four next year.
In front of 28,196 spectators, Ronaldo (47th minute/72nd/90th) had three of the best chances of the game – but twice he couldn’t beat Spain’s goalkeeper Unai Simón, once he hesitated too long in front of the goal. Spain will therefore play for the title alongside Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands in 2023.
Erling Haaland and Norway, on the other hand, will play in the B league next season, as will Ukraine. The Norwegians missed promotion due to the 0:2 (0:1) defeat against Serbia, which instead goes up to the A league.
Switzerland remains first class
Dusan Vlahovic (42nd) and goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic (54th) scored the goals in Oslo. Ukraine were held to a 0-0 draw by Scotland in Kraków, Poland, which saw the Scots earn promotion.
Switzerland, which once again competed with numerous Bundesliga professionals, will also be represented in the A-League next season. Thanks to the 61-second goals of Remo Freuler (29th) and ex-Gladbacher Breel Embolo (30th), Switzerland won 2-1 (2-1) against the Czech Republic and thus remains first class.
Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick (45′) scored for the Czechs, who are relegated to the B-League. Gladbach goalkeeper Yann Sommer also saved a penalty from Tomas Soucek.
