The 2024/25 UEFA Nations League season continues, with a number of key matches in the fourth round of the UEFA Nations League this morning, with Germany hosting Netherlands in Group C. In Group B, the European Red Devils Belgium played France at home, and the European Championship 1/8 final was repeated. In addition, Italy returned to their home stadium to meet Israel on a narrow road, and the teams had mixed joys and sorrows, and some joys and sorrows.
Germany 1-0 Netherlands
Germany is ranked 13th in the world and is worth 596 million euros. On the other hand, the Netherlands team is ranked 7th in the world and the team is worth 775 million euros. Germany has been in a slump in recent years, having been eliminated from two consecutive World Cup groups and reaching the quarterfinals of this summer's European Championships. Netherlands bottomed out between 2016 and 2018, missing the European Championships and World Cups, but in recent years Netherlands has begun to recover, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup and qualifying for the last four of this summer's European Championships.
In the game, in the 2nd minute, the straight plug from the right side of the Germany team was intercepted continuously, but the ball accidentally hit the feet of Lewelling, and Lewelling volleyed the goal! But then the referee looked back at the video and ruled that there was an offside and the goal was invalidated. In the 64th minute, Germany took a corner kick from the left, and the header from the front point was blocked by Van der Ven, and Levillein, who was waiting in front of the box, entered the box calmly! Shoot the goal! Germany 1-0 Netherlands. Harvey Simmons then hit the crossbar with a long-range shot. In the end, Germany won 1-0 against Netherlands.
Belgium 1-2 France
The golden generation of the European Red Devils Belgium has entered the end of their careers and is now ranked 6th in the world, with only 483 million euros left in the team. On the other hand, the France team is full of talent, currently ranked second in the world, and the whole team is worth 1.06 billion euros. Belgium is past its prime, reaching the group stage at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the round of 16 at Euro 2024. France is at its peak by reaching the final of two consecutive World Cups and reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
In the game, in the 21st minute, Opponda was tackled by Saliba in the penalty area with a single chance, and the referee ruled offside at the first time, and after VAR intervened, the penalty was changed to a penalty kick, and Tielemans kicked it away, and the score was still 0-0. In the 35th minute, Balcora deliberately handballed a penalty when Fass fell to the ground in the box, and Muani hit the penalty to give France a 1-0 lead. In the 45+3rd minute, Belgium's right side was transferred to the left side, Castagne sent a precise cross, and Opponda nodded in front of the goal! The linesman raised the flag as soon as possible, and VAR intervened to confirm that the goal was valid! Belgium equalized 1-1. In the 58th minute, Muani set up a cannon in the penalty area to make an arc, and Koné pushed it into the net with two consecutive hits, but Muani's handball was invalid in the first goal. In the 62nd minute, Digne sent a precise cross from the left, and Muani in the middle jumped high to score with his head! France led again 2-1. Tchouameni was sent off with two yellows. In the end, France beat Belgium 2-1.
Italy 4-1 Israel
Italy is ranked 10th in the world and the team is worth 609 million euros. Italy's form has been up and down, missing the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in a row, but they were able to win the European Championship in 2020. Italy failed to maintain consistency in the round of 16 at this summer's European Championships, and Italy topped their group with two wins and one draw in this season's UEFA Nations League, including a win away to France.
In the game, in the first half, Retegui missed a single knife + penalty shot, Tonali made a point, in the second half Raspadori assisted Di Lorenzo's header to expand the score, Aboufani corner kick to pull one back, Dimarco assisted Frattesi to push the goal to expand the score, Di Lorenzo volleyed to complete the double ring, and finally Italy 4-1 Israel remained at the top of the table.