Nico Williams Shines for Spain; Germany, Denmark, and Croatia Secure Wins in Nations League
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Synopsis
On March 21, Nico Williams was instrumental in Spain's 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals. Germany, Denmark, and Croatia also achieved significant victories in their respective matches.
Key Takeaways
- Nico Williams scored for Spain and assisted in a late equalizer.
- Germany came from behind to defeat Italy 2-1.
- Croatia secured a 2-0 win over France.
- Denmark edged Portugal 1-0 with a late goal.
- Spain's Pau Cubarsi was injured, leading to Dean Huijsen's debut.
Madrid, March 21 (NationPress) Nico Williams played a pivotal role in Spain's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands during a thrilling UEFA Nations League quarterfinal first leg match. The Athletic Bilbao forward initially gave his team the lead and later contributed significantly to a late equalizer.
Spain opened the scoring in the ninth minute when intense pressure led to Jorrel Hato being dispossessed by Lamine Yamal high on the pitch, who then set up Pedri. The Barcelona midfielder slipped the ball to Williams, allowing him to turn and score from approximately six meters out, beating goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.
The Netherlands equalized in the 28th minute when Cody Gakpo received the ball on the left side of the Spain penalty area, as reported by Xinhua.
Spain faced a setback when defender Pau Cubarsi sustained an injury after 40 minutes, leading to the debut of 19-year-old Dean Huijsen, who was born in Amsterdam but raised in Spain.
The Netherlands nearly took the lead when Tijjani Reijnders' volley skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Just a minute into the second half, the Netherlands went ahead after the impressive Jeremie Frimpong outpaced Marc Cucurella and set up an unmarked Reijnders, who shot past goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Coach De la Fuente substituted Dani Olmo, Ayoze Perez, and Mikel Oyarzabal for Yamal, Pedri, and Alvaro Morata, providing Spain with additional stability, although Perez’s yellow card means he will miss Sunday’s return leg in Valencia.
A late challenge by Hato on Robin Le Normand left the Netherlands a man down for the final ten minutes, allowing Spain to equalize in the 93rd minute. Williams again showcased his talent by cutting inside and shooting, forcing Verbruggen to parry the ball into the path of Mikel Merino.
In other matches, Germany came back from a goal down to secure a vital 2-1 victory against Italy.
Sandro Tonali put Italy ahead in the ninth minute after the German defense failed to clear a ball from the right, allowing the Newcastle midfielder to strike home with his right foot.
Though Germany controlled possession, Italy had the better chances, with Tonali's powerful shot testing goalkeeper Oliver Baumann in the 30th minute, quickly followed by Moise Kean being denied by Baumann after breaking the offside trap.
Germany equalized immediately after the break when Joshua Kimmich assisted unmarked substitute Tim Kleindienst for a header.
Kimmich was instrumental again, setting up Leon Goretzka to put Germany ahead in the 76th minute.
Croatia triumphed 2-0 at home against France, despite Andrej Kramaric seeing an eighth-minute penalty saved by Mike Maignan. Ante Budimir gave the home side the lead with a close-range header in the 26th minute, following a cross from Ivan Perisic.
Perisic doubled Croatia's advantage with a right-footed shot just before halftime.
Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund netted a winner in the 78th minute as Denmark claimed a narrow 1-0 victory at home against Portugal. The Danes generated 23 shots throughout the match, with nine on target, while Christian Eriksen missed a first-half penalty, and Portugal managed only two attempts on goal against goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
