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Dutch delight in win over France, Germany relegated

November 17, 2018
Netherlands' forward Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between the Netherlands and France at the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam on Friday. — AFP
Netherlands' forward Memphis Depay celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Nations League football match between the Netherlands and France at the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam on Friday. — AFP

ROTTERDAM — Georginio Wijnaldum blasted home from close range and Memphis Depay converted a last-gasp penalty to earn the Netherlands a 2-0 win over world champions France on Friday and condemn Germany to relegation from their Nations League group.

Wijnaldum followed up after France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a fine stop from point-blank range just before halftime and Depay sealed the victory to give the Dutch a chance to win the group when they meet Germany in Gelsenkirchen on Monday. A draw would be enough to see Ronald Koeman's team advance to meet other group winners next June.

Lloris stood between the Netherlands and a bigger winning margin with several key saves as he replicated his form from the World Cup but the Dutch got a second goal with the last kick of the match from Depay's penalty.

France, despite losing their first game since winning the World Cup, remained top of the Group One standings but have completed their campaign.

The Dutch looked anything but overawed at the Feyenoord Stadium against a French side who only needed a draw to win the group.

The hosts served early notice of their intent, forcing Lloris into a save after 90 seconds as Depay set up a chance with a run from the right-hand side but Wijnaldum struck the ball straight at the goalkeeper.

The goal came after a defensive slip by France’s Steven Nzonzi, whose attempted headed clearance set up Ryan Babel, who was denied by Lloris before Wijnaldum swept the rebound home. With four minutes of added time already up, Frenkie de Jong was pushed in the French penalty area and Depay dispatched the spot-kick.

Denmark beat Wales 2-1 to claim promotion

Denmark strikers Nicolai Joergensen and Martin Braithwaite struck to secure a 2-1 victory over Wales and promotion from Nations League B Group 4 in a pulsating clash in Cardiff.

The Welsh went behind to Joergensen's goal before the break and Braithwaite added a second late on before Gareth Bale almost immediately pulled one back but it was too late for the hosts.

Denmark's Kasper Schmeichel had to be at his best to keep out a stunning late free kick by Bale, which he palmed away as it arrowed towards the top right-hand corner of his goal.

The result put Denmark top of the group on seven points with one game left to play at home to already relegated Ireland, while Wales have finished second on six points from four games.

Gibraltar's promotion dream over after Armenia drubbing

Gibraltar’s hopes of a fairytale promotion from their Nations League group ended as they slumped to a 6-2 home defeat by Armenia on Friday after a disastrous second-half performance.

The result means Macedonia, who beat Liechtenstein 2-0, will be guaranteed promotion if they avoid losing to Gibraltar in Skopje on Sunday. Armenia must beat Liechtenstein and hope Gibraltar win if they are to top the group.

Julio Ribas’s Gibraltar side secured the biggest result in their history when they won 1-0 in Yerevan last month, and it appeared a repeat was on the cards when 19-year-old Tjay de Barr opened the scoring after 10 minutes.

Armenia's Yura Movsisyan appeared offside as he leveled from close range after 27 minutes and the Chicago Fire striker hit three in the first nine minutes of the second half to take the game away from Gibraltar.

Artur Kartashyan made it five before substitute Adam Priestly restored some pride for the hosts with a fine solo effort. Alexander Karapetian completed the rout in stoppage time. — Reuters


November 17, 2018
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