Ethan Ampadu in action for Wales in their 4-1 win over the Republic of Ireland
Photo: Stephen Gormley (RedEye Agency)
The Icecaps melt as UNL begins with a bang and a record broken
by Steven Clare
International football made its welcome return this weekend, its first appearance since the 2018 World Cup final.
Intertwined with the usual arranged friendlies is the birth of a new competition, the UEFA Nations League (UNL). Several results have already caught the eye none more so than Switzerland’s extraordinary 6-0 thrashing of Iceland in League A Group 2 of the UNL. Had Switzerland beaten Iceland 6-0 in a friendly, it wouldn’t have raised and eyebrow. In a competitive match however everyone draws a breath, and wonder if this is the end or the beginning of a new dawn
World Cup semi finalists Belgium make up that group, and you can be sure as waffles that they took notice after they left the field victorious in Glasgow, where they beat Scotland 4-0 in a mere friendly.
Wales 4-1 thumping of the Irish Republic also caught the eye. It was a revenge mission for the Welsh who inability to beat the Boys in Green, costs them their place in the World Cup. Thomas Lawrence (6′), Gareth Bale (18′) Aaraon Ramsey (37′) and Connor Roberts (55′) were the men on the mark. Denmark are also in the group.
“Had Switzerland beaten Iceland 6-0 in a friendly, it wouldn’t have raised and eyebrow.In a competitive match however everyone draws a breath.”
Little Luxembourg recorded their record home and competitive victory and surprisingly it wasn’t against a traditional minnow. In lowly League D Group 2, they beat Moldova 4-0 with Kevin Malget (34′), Olivier Thill (60′), Danel Sinani (75′) and Christopher Martins (83′) the scorers. This is also a side who held World Champions France to a 0-0 draw in the recent World Cup campaign.
Back in League A, Germany drew 0-0 with France, Italy drew with Poland and Spain beat England 2-1 at Wembley.
In League B, Ukraine, Russia and Bosnia-Herzegovina all started with 2-1 away wins. The Czech Republic, Turkey and Northern Ireland were their beaten hosts. Greece (1-0 at Estonia), Bulgaria (2-1 at Slovenia) and Serbia (2-1 at Lithuania won away in League C, with Israel, 1-0 conquerors of Albania, Norway 2-0 winners over Cyprus, and Finland 1-0 winners over Hungary the home sides to win.
