MADRID, 22 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Netherlands team has a foot and a half in the ‘Final Four’ of the 2022-2023 League of Nations after comfortably beating Poland this Thursday (0-2) at home, a goal that Croatia also has in its hand after their victory against Denmark (2-1), while France achieved an important victory (2-0) against Austria to strengthen their chances of not relegation.
Group 4 of League A virtually has its winner in the figure of the Netherlands, who could only be left out if they concede a win on the last day at home against Belgium, which should improve the 1-4 they conceded in Brussels.
The ‘oranje’, which was already one of the four teams that played the first ‘F4’ of the competition, remains undefeated and with a three-point lead over the ‘Red Devils’ after beating Poland without too much trouble Robert Lewandowski not very active.
The 0-1 score by Cody Gapko before the first quarter of an hour of play reassured Louis van Gaal’s men, who dominated their rival without too many problems, sentencing him on the hour with a goal from Steven Bergwijn. The worst news, the possible injury of the blaugrana Memphis Depay.
Belgium is still in the race to be in next year’s ‘Final Four’ after taking all three points against Wales, which they beat 2-1, a tighter result than the match really offered and in which the Spanish coach Roberto Martínez was expelled.
The goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Michy Batshuayi in the first half reflected the clear superiority of the locals against a rival where Gareth Bale only played the final half hour, but who provided excitement until the end with Moore’s goal as soon as the second started part. The Welsh team will play to avoid relegation on the last day against Poland against which only victory is worth.
On the other hand, in Group 1, things are even tighter, although more favorable to Croatia, who took the lead thanks to their long-suffering 2-1 victory in Zagreb against Denmark, which remains second by one point before the decisive day where they will face Austria, at home, and France, at home, respectively.
In an even duel and without too many risks on the part of both, the current runner-up in the world took the lead after the break through Sosa and when he seemed to have the game under control, he conceded 1-1, the work of Eriksen. But the joy did not last for the Danes, who shortly after received the final 2-1 through Majer and that leaves Zlatko Dalic’s men depending on themselves to play their first ‘F4’.
Denmark will have to win on the last day against a France that took a breather and left the last place in the group by beating Austria 2-0 in Saint-Denis, which now happens to be the bottom team and the one most likely to leave the League A.
Didier Deschamps’ men were the ones who put the most effort into getting the three points, but despite their dominance and their continuous arrivals, they were not able to open the scoring in the first 45 minutes, which left Jules Koundé possibly injured.
After passing through the changing rooms, the script did not change too much and Kylian Mbappé appeared to score a great goal and put an end to the visiting resistance. Veteran striker Olivier Giroud, with a great header, sentenced minutes later an almost obligatory victory for the current world champion.