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

Portugal secured a place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Norway, while the Netherlands beat Serbia by the same score to preserve Xavi’s unbeaten start as head coach.

Germany were held to a goalless draw by Greece in Thessaloniki, leaving Jurgen Klopp with only one victory from his first four matches in charge. Denmark also strengthened their quarter-final hopes by beating Wales 1-0 in Cardiff.

Germany frustrated again

Germany dominated possession but could not find a way past Greece goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis. Jonas Urbig saved early from Georgios Masouras after a cross by Kostas Tsimikas, before Florian Wirtz, Derry Scherhant and Tom Bischof tested the hosts.

Jonathan Burkardt appeared to put Germany ahead in the 32nd minute after a pass from Scherhant, but VAR ruled out the goal for a handball by Bischof in the build-up. Tzolakis made further important saves before half-time.

The second half became scrappy, with fouls and stoppages disrupting Germany’s pressure. Masouras headed narrowly over from Manolis Saliakas’ cross, while Wirtz shot over and Philipp Treu delivered a dangerous ball into the area without producing a decisive response.

Greece have lost only two of their last 16 Nations League matches, although they have won just one of their previous six at home. Germany remain third in Group A2 and face a difficult task to reach the Nations League Finals.

Ramos sends Portugal through

Goncalo Ramos scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as Portugal beat Norway and moved six points clear at the top of Group A4, with two matches still to play. The result extended Portugal’s unbeaten home run to 12 matches and left Norway bottom after three successive defeats.

Francisco Conceicao and Joao Felix were denied by Norwegian defending early on, while Joao Cancelo forced Egil Selvik to save. Norway then threatened through Antonio Nusa, whose curling effort was tipped over by Diogo Costa.

Kristoffer Ajer opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a spectacular long-range finish from Martin Ødegaard’s pass. Portugal equalised soon afterwards when Nuno Mendes’ long throw reached Cancelo, who struck past Selvik.

Bruno Fernandes and Cancelo went close after the interval, while Erling Haaland shot wide for Norway. Felix then set up Ramos, who poked the ball over the line.

Portugal had to defend their lead after Conceicao was sent off for two quick yellow cards, but held on. They have lost only once in their last 13 meetings with Norway.

Netherlands maintain perfect start

The Netherlands ended the international window with a 2-1 home win over Serbia in Eindhoven, moving top of Group A2 and giving Xavi a fourth unbeaten match in charge. Serbia remain bottom without a point.

Teun Koopmeiners put the hosts ahead shortly after the half-hour mark when his low free-kick evaded Virgil van Dijk and found the bottom corner. Mihajlo Cvetkovic equalised with a header from Aleksa Terzic’s cross, having beaten Koopmeiners to the ball.

Serbia threatened after the break through Cvetkovic and Lazar Samardzic, but Bart Verbruggen made important saves. Denzel Dumfries then crossed for Tijjani Reijnders to tee up Joshua Zirkzee, who scored his first Netherlands goal in two years.

The Netherlands finished with 10 men after Micky van de Ven was injured, while Verbruggen made a late save from Nemanja Gudelj to secure Xavi’s first home victory.

Rasmus Højlund’s penalty gave Denmark victory over Wales after Danny Ward conceded possession to Gustav Isaksen and then brought down the forward. Ward had earlier saved Højlund’s effort and tipped Isaksen’s header onto the post.

Wales remain bottom of Group A4 with two matches left and have lost five of their past eight games in all competitions. Denmark are second, but need points against opponents other than Wales to qualify. The defeat was Wales’ fifth in a row against Denmark.