Nations League: Kane leads England up – Haaland celebrates, Rangnick mourns

A brilliant pass from Harry Kane and three goals in less than six minutes earned the English national football team promotion to the A-League of the Nations League. With the 5-0 (0-0) win against Ireland, ex-Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel’s future team said goodbye to the B league.

Norway also made it to the A-League in the parallel group after a 5-0 (3-0) win against Kazakhstan, top star Erling Haaland scored three times. Austria, coached by Ralf Rangnick, has to go into the promotion play-offs after a 1-1 (1-0) draw against Slovenia. With a home win, the Rangnick team would have been promoted straight away instead of Norway.

Italy gives up group victory

In the A-League, France secured group victory thanks to a 3-1 (2-1) win in Italy. As runners-up in the group, the Italians, who are tied on points, are a possible opponent of the German team in the quarter-finals of the Nations League. Adrien Rabiot scored twice (2nd minute/65th) for the Équipe Tricolore, who again competed without superstar Kylian Mbappé.

Despite a 0-1 (0-0) draw against Israel in Budapest, Belgium was able to avoid direct relegation to the B league thanks to the better goal difference compared to Israel. However, the defeat against the outsider is the next disappointment under coach Domenico Tedesco, who is now likely to come under even greater pressure.

Kane pass as a can opener

After a dull first half at London’s Wembley Stadium, a precise pass from Bayern striker Kane to Jude Bellingham set the course in England’s favor: The Real Madrid star, who was suddenly free in the penalty area, was fouled by Liam Scales, Kane converted the penalty to make it 1: 0 (53rd minute). Scales also saw yellow and red.

Anthony Gordon (56th) and Conor Gallagher (58th) promptly increased the number for interim coach Lee Carsley’s team. England then continued to play cheerfully forward, with Jarrod Bowen (76′) and Taylor Harwood-Bellis (79′) making the final score.