Portugal reach Nations League quarter-finals as Germany held by Greece

Portugal became the first side to reach the Nations League quarter-finals after a 2-1 victory over Norway, while Germany were held to a goalless draw by Greece on Sunday.

Goncalo Ramos scored in the 86th minute to complete Portugal’s comeback in Oslo. Kristoffer Ajer had put the World Cup quarter-finalists ahead with a superb strike from outside the penalty area, before Joao Cancelo equalised with a powerful finish.

Portugal were without Cristiano Ronaldo, who left the squad on Wednesday after coach Jorge Jesus dropped him to the bench. Jesus said after the match that the 41-year-old could return to international duty, but the decision would rest with the player.

“If he wants to, he’ll return to the national team… we can talk before the next call-up, but Cris is the one who’s going to decide,” Jesus told reporters.

Jurgen Klopp’s Germany were unable to find a way through a disciplined Greece side in Thessaloniki. Eintracht Frankfurt forward Jonathan Burkardt thought he had scored in the first half, but his effort was ruled out.

Klopp’s record since taking charge of Germany now stands at one defeat, one victory and one draw.

The Netherlands moved to the top of their Nations League group after beating Serbia 2-1 in Eindhoven. Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee came on as a second-half substitute and scored the winning goal by turning in a cross from Tijjani Reijnders.

The fixture was also Virgil van Dijk’s 100th appearance for the Netherlands. New coach Xavi remains unbeaten after four matches, with two wins and two draws.

Ireland and Israel draw after pre-match gestures

Israel’s players wore black armbands marked “7.10” during their 1-1 draw with Ireland, commemorating the victims of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack.

The gesture followed the previous meeting in Hungary, when Irish players wore black armbands to protest against the war in Gaza. As in last week’s match, which Ireland won 3-0, Ireland’s players bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem and neither team shook hands before kick-off in Backa Topola, Serbia.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had declined to host Israel in Ireland for security reasons after calls for a boycott.

Ireland took the lead after 39 minutes when Troy Parrott converted a penalty. Dor Peretz had fouled Jimmy Dunne, but Peretz made amends two minutes after half-time by scoring from close range after Liam Scales deflected a shot into his path.

The draw leaves Ireland third in Group 3 of League B, behind Austria and Kosovo. Israel remain bottom with two points.

Hojlund penalty condemns Wales

Wales suffered another defeat as Rasmus Hojlund’s 75th-minute penalty gave Denmark a 1-0 win in Cardiff.

Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward had made several saves to keep Denmark out, but conceded the decisive spot-kick after fouling Denmark midfielder Gustav Isaksen.