Five players reach UEFA Nations League quarters | International | News

Kai Havertz got on the scoresheet in Germany’s 7-0 thrashing of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which secured their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals in style.

The Germans had raced into an early 2-0 lead in Freiburg before Kai grabbed himself a goal on 37 minutes when he linked up well with Florian Wirtz to net his fifth strike in his last nine international appearances.

During an impressive display, he also tested the Bosnian goalkeeper on four other occasions, and laid on an assist when he picked out Leroy Sane with an excellent pass. He also played his part in a goal for Wirtz when his pass was deflected into his teammate’s path, as Julian Nagelsmann’s team became the first in Nations League history to score seven in a game.

That secured Die Mannschaft’s spot in the knockout stages in March as group winners, with the Netherlands joining them in the last eight with another big win as they dispatched Hungary 4-0.

Jurrien Timber started for the Dutch in Amsterdam as two first-half penalties set them on their way, and after Denzel Dumfries added a third, Jurrien was withdrawn in the 68th minute having already picked up a yellow card.

William Saliba returned to France’s starting line-up to help them beat Italy and leapfrog the Azzurri at the top of their group on goal difference.

Adrien Rabiot’s brace proved crucial for the visitors as they triumphed in the San Siro, and bounced back from a goalless draw against Israel to gain revenge for Italy’s 3-1 win in Paris in September. William played all 90 minutes of the game on his 23rd appearance for his nation.

Elsewhere in Group A2, Leandro Trossard was forced off after 37 minutes of Belgium’s 1-0 loss to Israel in Budapest, with his team already confirmed in one of the relegation play-off spots following a 1-0 loss to Italy last week.

Spain also secured a top-spot berth and home advantage in the two-legged quarter-finals in March after beating Denmark 2-1 in Copenhagen. David Raya started once again for La Roja between the posts to win his ninth cap, while Mikel Merino was named in midfield.

Mikel Oyarzabal and Ayoze Perez grabbed goals before Merino was subbed off with 10 minutes to play, but soon after Raya was beaten when a loose backpass allowed Gustav Isaksen to pull one back, but the holders hung on to move one step closer to retaining their crown.

Jakub Kiwior ended Friday night with an assist to his name but saw his side suffer a second-half collapse as they lost 5-1 to Portugal in Porto.

The Poles needed to win to have any sniff of the quarter-finals and the scoreline was still goalless at the hour mark, but a late flurry of goals saw them now trying to ensure they don’t suffer relegation with a defeat to Scotland on Monday night.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was an unused sub as Ukraine let a lead slip to draw 1-1 against Georgia, and leave them needing a win in Albania on Tuesday night to avoid relegation to League C.

our internationals IN ACTION:

All times GMT

Thursday, November 14
France 0-0 Israel
Nations League | Saliba was an unused sub

Belgium 0-1 Italy
Nations League | Trossard played 90 minutes

Venezuela 1-1 Brazil
World Cup qualifier | Gabriel played 90 minutes, Martinelli came on in the 82nd minute

Friday, November 15
Portugal 5-1 Poland
Nations League | Kiwior played 90 minutes, assisted

Denmark 1-2 Spain
Nations League | Raya played 90 minutes, Merino played 80

Saturday, November 16
Georgia 1-1 Ukraine
Nations League | Zinchenko was an unused sub

Netherlands 4-0 Hungary
Nations League | Timber played 68 minutes

Germany 7-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nations League | Havertz played 90 minutes, scored and assisted

Sunday, November 17
Italy 1-3 France
Nations League | Saliba played 90 minutes

Israel 1-0 Belgium
Nations League | Trossard subbed on 37 minutes

Monday, November 18
Poland (Kiwior) v Scotland
Nations League | Warsaw | 7.45pm

Spain (Raya, Merino) v Switzerland
Nations League | Santa Cruz | 7.45pm

Tuesday, November 19
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Netherlands (Timber)
Nations League | Zenica | 7.45pm

Hungary v Germany (Havertz)
Nations League | Budapest | 7.45pm

Albania v Ukraine (Zinchenko)
Nations League | Tirana | 7.45pm

Wednesday, November 20
Brazil (Martinelli, Gabriel) v Uruguay
World Cup qualifier | Salvador | 12.45am