Der frühere Bundesligatrainer Domenico Tedesco hat mit der Fußball-Nationalmannschaft Belgiens einen Achtungserfolg in der Nations League erzielt. Im Auswärtsspiel in Tedescos Geburtsland Italien holten die „Roten Teufel“ nach einem 0:2-Rückstand in Überzahl noch ein 2:2 (1:2). Mit vier Punkten liegt Belgien in der Gruppe A2 auf dem dritten Tabellenplatz hinter den weiterhin ungeschlagenen Italienern und Frankreich. Die zwei besten Teams der Gruppe erreichen nach Abschluss der Gruppenphase das Viertelfinale.
Die Franzosen taten sich gegen Außenseiter Israel unterdessen überraschend schwer und gewannen in Budapest erst durch einen späten Doppelschlag standesgemäß mit 4:1 (2:1). Israel muss seine Heimspiele aufgrund des Nahost-Krieges aktuell im Ausland austragen. Frankreich musste ohne seinen Superstar Kylian Mbappe auskommen, der verletzungsbedingt für die aktuelle Länderspielperiode ausfällt.
In Rom sorgte Andrea Cambiaso bereits in der zweiten Minute für die Führung der Gastgeber, die Mateo Retegui (24.) ausbaute. Eine Rote Karte gegen Lorenzo Pellegrini nach hartem Foulspiel brachte die Belgier jedoch zurück in die Partie. Noch vor der Halbzeitpause gelang Maxim De Cuyper (42.) der Anschlusstreffer, Leandro Trossard erzielte nach gut einer Stunde Spielzeit den Ausgleich.
France also took an early lead in their game, but Eduardo Camavinga benefited from a serious goalkeeping error by Israel goalkeeper Omri Glazer when he scored after seven minutes. After Omri Gandelman’s equalizer (24th), former Leipzig Bundesliga professional Christopher Nkunku (28th) responded almost immediately. Substitutes Matteo Guendouzi (87th) and Bradley Barcola (89th) made the decision late on.
Without the ailing star striker Harry Kane from German record champions FC Bayern, the English national football team has suffered a bitter setback. The European Championship finalist lost 1:2 (0:0) against Greece at Wembley Stadium in London. The former Bochum player Vangelis Pavlidis, who is now under contract with Benfica Lisbon, became a celebrated hero of the numerous Greek fans with a brace (49th, 90th + 4). Jude Bellingham only equalized for the hosts in the 87th minute.
The game was all about George Baldock
The game was marked by the tragic death of George Baldock. Before kick-off, the teams gathered for a minute’s silence, the players wearing mourning ribbons. Twelve-time Greece international Baldock, who was born in England and spent his entire professional career there, was found dead in the pool at his property on Wednesday evening.
The 31-year-old only moved to Panathinaikos Athens in the summer after seven years at Sheffield United. News of his death caused consternation in English and Greek football.
Austria clearly wins against Kazakhstan
Meanwhile, Austria maintained its chances of promotion to the top division of the Nations League with a clear mandatory win against Kazakhstan. The team led by German coach Ralf Rangnick won against the Eastern Europeans 4-0 (1-0) in Linz.
In the table of Group B3, Austria is three points behind leaders Norway, which won the parallel game against Slovenia. On Sunday there will be another direct duel with the Scandinavians in Linz. The group winner after the final matchday in November will definitely be promoted, while the second-placed team will play in the playoffs against a third-placed team in the A-League.
