Friday night saw a number of Euro 2020 qualifiers taking place, as the groups start to take shape. Here is what happened in a drama-filled night of action:
Netherlands shock Germany
The Netherlands pulled-off a 4-2 victory against Germany in Hamburg in Group C of qualifying. The result moved the Oranje to third place in the group, three points behind the home side.
Germany took the lead on nine minutes, as Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry scored his fourth goal in as many qualifiers. However, the visitors hit back in the second period, as Frenkie de Jong equalised on 59 minutes before Jonathan Tah scored an own goal to put the Oranje in front for the first time.
The home side equalised through Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos on 73 minutes from the penalty spot. However, Ronald Koeman’s regained the lead on 79 minutes through Donyell Malen. Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum sealed victory in stoppage-time from a Memphis Depay. Despite the defeat, Germany remain the favourites to qualify for Euro 2020.
Russia gains initiative against Scotland
Russia moved to second in Group I by recording a 2-1 victory in Scotland, with the home sides chances of qualifying now in a precarious state.
Scotland took the lead after just ten minutes. Russian goalkeeper Guilherme dropped a Ryan Fraser cross at the feet of Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn who was not going to miss. It was the former Aberdeen midfielders first international goal.
The visitors then enjoyed the better of possession and looked threatening with Scottish goalkeeper David Marshall pulling off a save from Artem Dzyuba before palming away a dangerous Aleksei Ionov cross.
Russia equalised on 39 minutes, as Andy Robertson deflected Aleksandr Golovin’s pass to Dzyuba who finished beyond Marshall. The visitors were the more threatening in the second half and took the lead on 64 minutes. Golovin’s fired a cross to the back post and the ball found its way into the net with a combination of Yuri Zhirkov and Stephen O’Connell, with the last touch coming off the Kilmarnock star.
The visitors looked for a third goal with Marshall producing a fingertip save from a Mario Fernandes headed effort. Magomed Ozdoev also saw an effort deflect off Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay before hitting the woodwork.
Scotland’s biggest threats on the Russia goal came from substitute Ryan Christie, who shot straight Guilherme. Meanwhile, defender Charlie Mulgrew also curled a free-kick just wide of goal after Dmitri Barinov had fouled Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser on the edge of the penalty area.
Zhirkov forced a good Marshall into another good save, while Mulgrew had to clear Aleksandr Erokhin tame effort off the goal line.
However, in the end, Russia did enough to claim maximum points. The victory means the visitors are second place in the group, three points behind group leaders Belgium. Scotland are now six points behind second-place Russia.
Friday’s other results from Euro 2020 qualifying
Cyprus 1-1 Kazakhstan
Estonia 1-2 Belarus
Austria 6-0 Latvia
San Marino 0-4 Belgium
Slovakia 0-4 Croatia
Slovenia 2-0 Poland
Wales 2-1 Azerbaijan
Who recorded the best result in Euro 2020 qualifying?
