Belgium and Eire full dramatic comebacks

March 23, 2025 Trending News

The destiny of over two dozen Nations League sides was selected Sunday night time as groups took half within the second legs to find out whether or not they could be promoted or relegated.

Whereas the highest sides, together with France, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Italy and Portugal all concerned within the quarter-finals, others had been seeking to transfer up the leagues and edge nearer to an opportunity of competing for the trophy sooner or later.

In one of many early kick-offs, Scotland noticed their time in League A come to an finish by the hands of Greece.

After taking a 1-0 lead away from Athens, Steve Clarke’s facet crumbled beneath the strain, dropping 3-0 at residence.

Elsewhere, Slovenia beat rivals Slovakia to maintain their place in League B, with the Slovaks remaining in League C.

It took additional time for Adam Cerin to seek out the winner, nevertheless it was sufficient.

Serbia overcame Austria to stay within the high division, a 3-1 mixture win batting away their possibilities of changing them in League A.

Learn on to see how the late video games unfolded and for a full record of ends in the Nations League.

#NationsLeague Matchday! ⚽️🤩🙌 pic.twitter.com/rVxkMeFRjP

— UEFA Nations League DE (@EURO2024DE) March 23, 2025

Belgium 3-0 Ukraine

Belgium staged a dramatic second-half comeback to defeat Ukraine 3-0 in Genk, securing their place in Nations League A.

Romelu Lukaku starred with a brace because the hosts overturned a two-goal mixture deficit to win 4-3 over each legs.

Regardless of Belgium’s dominance in possession, Ukraine’s disciplined defence stored them at bay for the primary half.

One of the best probability of the half got here when Kaliuzhnyi almost turned the ball into his personal web, however the submit saved him from an personal objective.

In the meantime, Andriy Lunin made essential saves, denying Hans Vanaken and Kevin De Bruyne to maintain the rating degree at half-time.

Belgium got here out with renewed urgency. Within the seventieth minute, substitute Maxim De Cuyper made a direct affect, slotting residence from Jeremy Doku’s help to present Belgium hope.

Simply 5 minutes later, De Bruyne delivered a pinpoint cross for Lukaku, who unleashed a shocking volley to degree the mixture rating at 3-3.

With additional time looming, Belgium struck once more within the 86th minute. De Bruyne’s intelligent flick launched Vanaken, who slipped Lukaku by way of on objective.

The striker held off his marker earlier than firing previous Lunin to finish the turnaround.

The hosts managed the sport’s closing phases expertly, making certain their survival in League A.

What. A. Victory. #BELUKR pic.twitter.com/WsLd1Hmgd2

— Belgian Crimson Devils (@BelRedDevils) March 23, 2025

Eire 2-1 Bulgaria

The Republic of Eire secured a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria in an intense Nations League fixture on the Aviva Stadium.

A late objective from Adam Idah accomplished the turnaround after the guests took an early lead.

Bulgaria began brightly and surprised the hosts within the thirtieth minute when Valentin Antov capitalised on a nook, ending from shut vary to place his facet forward.

Eire responded with urgency, however they struggled to interrupt down a resolute Bulgarian defence earlier than half-time.

Stephen Kenny’s facet got here out rejuvenated after the break, and their persistence paid off within the 63rd minute. A exact by way of ball from Finn Azaz discovered Evan Ferguson, who slotted the ball into the highest nook to degree the rating at 1-1. The equalizer injected recent vitality into the Irish facet, who continued to push ahead in the hunt for a winner.

The breakthrough arrived within the 84th minute when Idah pounced on a counter-attack, calmly ending from the centre of the field to place Eire forward.

The closing minutes noticed Bulgaria press for an equaliser, with Radoslav Kirilov lacking a late probability deep into stoppage time.

FT | League B standing retained! pic.twitter.com/9HCqWcdyjz

— Eire Soccer ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 23, 2025