Mykhailo Mudryk’s goal gave Ukraine a crucial first Nations League win as Nicolas Jackson also found the net in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Ukraine and Georgia went into their UEFA Nations League tie at opposite ends of the spectrum after the first round of games, with Georgia on maximum points after back-to-back wins and Ukraine hoping to pick up their first point of the campaign following a pair of defeats.
Mudryk created Ukraine’s first chance of the game, but his set-piece was headed over by Maksym Talovierov. However, the Chelsea winger fired in the only goal of the game before half-time, cutting in from wide and beating the keeper at his near post after Ukraine had won possession high up the pitch.
He had another good effort saved just after the break, but in the end Ukraine settled for a 1-0 win. Although they remain last in Group B1, Ukraine are now within three points of first-placed Georgia.
Jackson’s goal came in a more one-sided win for Senegal, as they hosted Malawi in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. A red card for Malawi after 16 minutes made the home team’s task simpler as they took a 1-0 lead before half-time.
They pulled clear after the break, with Jackson finding the net from an Idrissa Gueye assist to complete the scoring in a 4-0 victory. Senegal are now on seven points after three of their six games, sitting second in the group behind leaders Burkina Faso on goals scored, with the top two going through.
At youth level, Malo Gusto helped France secure at least a play-off place in qualification for next summer’s European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia. The full-back was in the starting line-up and played 79 minutes of their match away at Cyprus.
The French should have had the lead through Loum Tchaouna from a brilliant Gusto cross early on, but eventually took control with the first goal shortly after an interruption due to a floodlight failure, and made it two in the second half before a late goal completed their 3-0 win.
That leaves France needing just a point from their last game at home against Austria on Tuesday to seal automatic qualification.
Also in Under-21 Euros qualifying, Lucas Bergstrom looked set to play a big hand in Finland taking a massive step towards qualification. They were moments away from a vital 1-0 win away at Switzerland, after good Bergstrom saves to deny Lars Villiger and Theo Berdayes, with the goalkeeper also doing well to claim a series of crosses during the late Swiss onslaught.
However, Finland couldn’t hold on indefinitely and the Swiss scored in added time to make it 1-1. That means Finland remain one-point behind second-placed Switzerland and two off the top, needing to secure a top-two finish for a chance to qualify, with one game remaining.
In the younger age groups, Ollie Harrison, Olutayo Subuloye and Frankie Runham were in the starting XI for England Under-18s’ 2-0 friendly defeat to Sweden, while Genesis Antwi was among the substitutes as Sweden Under-19s were beaten 3-0 by the USA.
Related News :