Deniz Undav’s goal brings Germany closer to the quarterfinals, the Netherlands saved a draw in Hungary – Firstpost

Deniz Undav scored twice as Germany beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1 to move closer to the Nations League quarter-finals on Friday, while 10-man Netherlands salvaged a 1-1 draw in Hungary. After 30 minutes in Zenica, Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen fell on the Undav goal with his heel.

Then the striker from Stuttgart scored two goals after a cross by Maximilian Mittlestaedt.

Bosnia responded with 20 minutes remaining when 38-year-old former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko headed in a corner kick for his 67th international goal.

“After the goal, the situation deteriorated a bit, but we controlled the situation confidently,” Undav, who was making only his second international start, told German broadcaster RTL.

Victory will give Germany seven points after three games and two ahead of the Netherlands, with the heavyweights facing each other on Monday in Munich.

“We scored too few goals for the number of chances we had,” said German coach Julian Nagelsmann.

At the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, Dutch players and spectators observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Dutch football great Johan Neeskens, who died this week at the age of 73.

Hungary took the lead in the 32nd minute when Roland Sallai scored from close range after a pass by Zsolt Nagy.

It was an excellent start to the match for Hungarian coach Marco Rossi, who led the national team for the 69th time.

“We wanted to score a goal.”

Hungary wanted to beat the Dutch in the first meeting between the two teams since an 8-1 defeat in 2013.

That prospect brightened when Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk was shown a red card in the 79th minute.

Four minutes later, however, the Dutch made a mockery of a one-man disadvantage when Denzel Dumfries headed in a free-kick from Cody Gakpo.

“Even with a team of ten, we tried to keep the pressure on,” said Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman. “I really thought we were going to score.

Wales squandered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Iceland in Reykjavik.

Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson, who scored for the seventh straight game for club and country, and Harry Wilson gave Craig Bellamy’s side a comfortable 2-0 lead at half-time, but Iceland hit back in the second half.

Substitute Logi Tomasson reduced the deficit in the 69th minute, before Wales goalkeeper Danny Ward allowed the same player’s drive to rebound off his elbow and into the net in the 72nd minute.

“I’m really happy in the long run. And I don’t mean I’m trying to sweeten the tie after a 2-0 lead, I’m really not,” Bellamy said.

“What I’m telling you now, I told the players. It was really good.”

Other results

In the same group, Türkiye defeated Montenegro 1-0.

Elsewhere on Friday, Sweden blew a 2-0 lead and drew 2-2 in Slovakia, giving both teams seven points after three games, but the Swedes led the group on goal difference.

Yasin Ayari and Ken Sema had Sweden leading 2-0 after 32 minutes in Bratislava, but Slovakia made up for the loss thanks to a goal by David Strelec.

Tomas Chory scored two goals and gave the Czech Republic a 2-0 home victory against Albania.

The Czechs have six points with group leader Georgia, who lost to Ukraine 1-0 thanks to Mykhailo Mudryk’s great finish in the 35th minute.