By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Spain last night qualified for semi-final for the European Nations League with a 6-0 demolition of Germany.
Before the encounter, the Spanish had drawn 10-man Switzerand 1-1 at the weekend the penalty maestro, Sergio Ramos, missed two penalties when Yann Sommer manned the post for the Swiss side.
But last night, a rejuvinated Spain out-played the German visitors in all the departments of the game. It was a bad night for the German keeper, Manuel Neuer, who marked his 96th cap by concede half a dozen goals – the first time he’s allowed more than four goals in a Germany shirt.
Four of the goals came from Manchester City stars, with Ferran Torres scoring a hat trick and Rodri also finding the net after Alvaro Morata opened the scoring.
Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz had two assists in the win and also set up Jose Luis Gaya’s assist on Torres’ second, one of two assists for Valencia’s Gaya.
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal scored the final goal of the onslaught.
This seems likely to be the end of the celebrated Joachim Low era, especially with EURO coming up and Germany in a daunting group with France, Portugal, and Hungary.
He led Germany to the 2014 World Cup title as well as a third-place finish in 2010.
France 4-2 Sweden
Sweden took a 1-0 lead through Viktor Claesson in the fourth minute and Didier Deschamps had an early worry of losing to Finland and Sweden at home inside of a week.
But Olivier Giroud scored off a Marcus Thuram feed and Benjamin Pavard gave the French a 2-1 lead at the break.
Kylian Mbappe would assist Giroud’s second for the already-clinched Bleus.
A draw would’ve been enough for Sweden to avoid relegation to League B, but the equalizer did not materialize despite Robin Quaison’s late marker. Instead, Kingsley Coman combined with Lucas Digne to put France’s fourth on the board.
Croatia 2-3 Portugal
Determined not to be outdone by his new club teammate, Man City centre back, Ruben Dias, feasted twice in Portugal’s comeback win over 10-man Croatia.
Dias leveled the score in the 52nd minute, a minute after Marko Rog had been sent off for Croatia with the hosts holding a Mateo Kovacic-inspired lead.
Joao Felix put Portugal up 2-1 off a Diogo Jota feed, but Kovacic answered in the 65th. Dias struck in stoppage time to complete his brace as reigning UNL champs, Portugal, finished on an unlucky 13 points, three behind advancing France.