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Germany picked up only their second victory of 2020 as Gian-Luca Waldschmidt scored to help Joachim Low's men to a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.

Benfica forward Waldschmidt netted his second goal in five international appearances in Leipzig, where Low played a new-look team and was rewarded with a solid performance.

There were impressive debuts for wing-backs Ridle Baku and Philipp Max, while Florian Neuhaus dictated play from midfield in the absence of Joshua Kimmich as Robin Koch dealt ably with the visitors' attacking threat.

Low will hope these players can help to usher in a new era of success after a challenging period for his side, who are unbeaten in this calendar year but have too often stuttered to draws and have plenty of work to do in the Nations League.

Max was involved in the only goal after 13 minutes as he pounced when Neuhaus' powerful 20-yard drive was parried by Jiri Pavlenka, crossing for Waldschmidt to turn the ball past the recovering goalkeeper from close range.

Ilkay Gundogan should have doubled Germany's lead when a sweeping move ended in him firing disappointingly straight at Pavlenka, and Julian Brandt wasted a gift as he blazed wide after collecting a loose ball in the Czech Republic box.

Nadiem Amiri, on for the injured Jonas Hofmann, was smartly denied by Pavlenka twice in quick succession late in a first half laden with chances that ended with just one goal for the hosts.

Substitute Tomas Soucek headed narrowly wide as the Czech Republic improved after the interval, and Tomas Holes sent a powerful drive over the crossbar from 25 yards.

Neuhaus almost capped a fine performance with a memorable goal when he drove a fierce half-volley goalwards from the edge of the box, but his attempt hit the corner of post and bar and Low's men had to settle for a modest margin of victory, seeing out a slightly nervy finish.
 

What does it mean? Assured Mannschaft give Low options

Solid performances from debutants and inexperienced players alike gave Germany, who had conceded seven goals across their previous three games, a more assured look, and Low should not hesitate to use the likes of Max and Waldschmidt going forward.

Koch shows his class

The way Koch sprinted back to dispossess Michal Krmencik when the Czech Republic striker broke clear early on will have pleased Low, who saw the Leeds United defender help Germany win 60 per cent of their duels.

Krmencik misfires

After scoring against Slovakia in September and subsequently showing some good form for Club Brugge, Krmencik carried the visitors' main attacking threat, but he was replaced after mustering just one shot in the opening 45 minutes.

What's next?

Germany entertain Ukraine on Saturday in the Nations League, while the Czech Republic play Israel the following day in the same competition.

Vincenzo Grifo scored his first international goals as Italy stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games with a 4-0 friendly win over Estonia at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Wednesday. 

The Azzurri have now won 15 of their 20 matches since a 1-0 Nations League loss to Portugal in September 2018 and they never looked in danger of tasting defeat against a side 97 places beneath them in the world rankings. 

Led by Alberico Evani with Roberto Mancini self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19, the hosts went ahead after 14 minutes courtesy of Grifo's maiden Italy goal and Federico Bernardeschi doubled their advantage.

Grifo then added a second from the penalty spot in the 75th minute before substitute Riccardo Orsolini added another from 12 yards to help Italy wrap up the most routine of wins. 

Freiburg forward Grifo marked his fourth appearance for Italy with a sumptuous opener, whipping a half-volley in off Marko Meerits' left-hand post from 25 yards after a lay-off by Kevin Lasagna.

An unmarked Lasagna missed a glorious chance soon after, the Udinese forward failing to make a clean connection with Bernardeschi's teasing cross from close range.

Italy's dominance was rewarded shortly before the half-hour mark, though, when Bernardeschi cut in from the right to bend a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area – his first international goal since October 2019.

Emerson Palmieri lashed wide following an incisive move on the edge of the penalty area after the interval, while Grifo saw an effort deflected narrowly wide.

Grifo got his second when he thumped home from 12 yards after Roberto Gagliardini was tripped inside the penalty area by substitute Georgi Tunjov.

Orsolini then wrapped up the scoring in the 86th minute, sweeping home his second international goal from the spot after forcing Henri Jarvelaid into a rash challenge in the area.

What does it mean? Azzurri brush aside lightweight visitors

Estonia were hardly the most challenging of opponents, Karel Voolaid's side failing to register a single shot on target, but the absent Mancini will be pleased his side went about their business with the minimum of fuss. The hosts carved out 14 shots on goal and enjoyed a whopping 71 per cent possession in what was a dominant performance.

Bernardeschi delivers all-action display

The Juventus forward scored a superb goal to double his side's advantage before the interval and was a handful before his departure in the 71st minute. He made a game-high three key passes and put in seven crosses – four more than any of his team-mates.

Soriano fails to impress

Roberto Soriano was only one of four Italian outfield starters to play the full 90 minutes, but he did not make much of an impression. The Bologna midfielder failed to have a shot on target, made just 28 successful passes – the fewest of any Italy player to take part in the entire game – and lost possession 11 times.

What's next?

Both sides are in Nations League action on Sunday. Italy host Poland in a crunch Group A1 clash, while Estonia face a trip to North Macedonia.

Michy Batshuayi scored twice for Belgium as the number one FIFA-ranked team in the world laboured to a 2-1 win over Switzerland in a low-key international friendly.

Admir Mehmedi gave the Swiss the lead early on at the Den Dreef Stadion in Leuven with a crisp low finish past Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Batshuayi equalised for Belgium four minutes into the second half with an angled finish after an intelligent pass from Youri Tielemans.

The 27-year-old striker then took his tally to 21 goals for Belgium, scoring his second of the game with a shot on the turn from close range to seal victory with 20 minutes left.

Belgium struggled to find their rhythm in the first half as they failed to register a single effort on target during a dismal 45 minutes, and Switzerland capitalised.

A long punt forward was accidentally headed backwards by Sebastiaan Bornauw which allowed Mehmedi to break clear and the Wolfsburg forward elegantly struck a left-footed shot across goal into the corner of the net.

Mignolet's goal was under pressure again on the half hour and he used his body to good effect at the near post to keep out Mehmedi's close-range effort.

Belgium flickered into life on the stroke of half-time when Dennis Praet teased a cross into the penalty area but Switzerland goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo strongly beat the ball away.

The Red Devils showed greater intensity after the break and substitute Tielemans provided the telling pass for Batshuayi, who beat the offside trap and ruthlessly struck a low shot beyond Mvogo.

Batshuayi's effort was his first attempt on goal, and Belgium's first effort on target and the striker, on loan with Crystal Palace from Chelsea, scored again with their second on both fronts.

The forward superbly controlled a difficult cross from substitute Thomas Foket inside the area before he hooked the ball home.

Switzerland had their moments in the remainder of the game but could not find an equaliser as Roberto Martinez's side held on for an underwhelming victory.

What does it mean? Belgium labour against solid Swiss

The last time the two sides met two years ago, a Haris Seferovic hat-trick gave Switzerland a thrilling 5-2 comeback win which secured their place in the Nations League finals. This low-key friendly, though, never came close to hitting those heights. 

Belgium were without some of their stellar names and it showed with a scrappy display containing just seven attempts, with the two goals being their only efforts on target. Switzerland were far more threatening going forward, having 12 shots and completing more passes (632 to 594).

Clinical Batshuayi puts name in the frame

Batshuayi had just two sniffs at goal and showed his predatory instincts with two goals. For the majority of the game he was starved of service and managed just three touches inside the penalty area in the whole 90 minutes. 

He must come into Martinez's thinking for their next two Nations League games, but may have to settle for the bench with Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke among his stiff competition.

Hazard fails to fill sibling's boots

With Eden Hazard ruled out because of a positive coronavirus test, a portion of Belgium's attacking impetus was supposed be led by his brother Thorgan. The Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder saw plenty of the ball - taking 101 touches and making a team-high 79 passes at an accuracy of 84.8 per cent - but failed to trouble the Swiss defence, creating just one chance.

What's next?

Belgium face England in Brussels in Nations League Group A2 on Sunday while Switzerland are also in action in Group A4 when they host Spain in Basel the day before.

Donny van de Beek made it two goals in as many games for the Netherlands as he cancelled out Sergio Canales' maiden strike for Spain in Wednesday's 1-1 friendly draw.

The Netherlands were seeking their first win in four attempts under Frank de Boer but got off to a bad start at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Alvaro Morata marked his return to the Spain side with an assist for Canales' well-taken opener but Van de Beek added to his goal against Italy last month to level matters. 

Memphis Depay should have won the game for De Boer's men in a second half that saw Sergio Ramos come on to earn his 176th Spain cap and equal the European record held by Italian great Gianluigi Buffon.

The hosts were already without captain Virgil van Dijk and lost fellow centre-back Nathan Ake to an apparent hamstring injury inside the opening six minutes.

That stoppage did little to halt Spain's flow and they took the lead through Canales' calm finish past Marco Bizot after being played in by in-form striker Morata.

Luuk de Jong had a weak penalty appeal rejected and then tested debutant Unai Simon, while Bizot was equal to Morata's edge-of-the-box effort at the opposite end.

But Van de Beek drew the Netherlands level 105 seconds into the second half as he ghosted in to meet Owen Wijndal's left-sided cross and drilled the ball home.

Koke, another Spain player brought in from the cold to captain the side, volleyed over a glorious chance on the hour mark and Hector Bellerin's low drive was pushed to safety.

An even bigger chance fell the way of Depay, who had time to get the ball out of his feet in the Spain box but could not squeeze the shot past Simon.

Ramos was brought on in the final stages for his landmark cap but the game ultimately petered out.

Diego Maradona has left hospital after more than a week following successful treatment on a blood clot on his brain, the legend's doctor confirmed on Wednesday. 

The 1986 World Cup winner was admitted to a La Plata clinic days after his 60th birthday due to his worrying physical condition, with medic Leopoldo Luque initially stating that he was suffering from anaemia, dehydration and that he was in low spirits. 

Tests carried out at the facility then revealed that Maradona had sustained a subdural haematoma, which required immediate surgery at a hospital in Olivos, to the north of Buenos Aires. 

While the operation was a success, the Gimnasia coach's recovery was complicated by what Luque told La Red were withdrawal symptoms from alcohol: "sweating, heart palpitations and euphoria." 

But on Wednesday doctors at the Olivos clinic cleared Diego to return home, where he will continue to be treated as an out-patient. 

"Diego's release is imminent. I don't have the day, but it won't be today, although it will be soon," Luque had told reporters on Tuesday, 24 hours before his patient was ultimately cleared to go home, at around 6pm local time in Argentina (9pm GMT/4pm ET). 

The doctor later posted a photo with Maradona in his hospital bed on Instagram, accompanied by the message: "I gave you my word, you trusted in me and we both pulled through. 

"This will continue, but today we are celebrating this big step together. I wish you peace with your family, Maradona. I'll love you forever." 

Dr. Alfredo Cahe, who has treated Maradona for decades, warned on Friday that combatting his drinking problem, which he believes has arisen as a substitute for Diego's past substance abuse, will be key in overcoming this latest health scare. 

"The whole family agrees, his daughters, his siblings, that Diego is uncontrollable like this and is going to get worse and worse," Cahe told TyC Sports. 

"Diego is in a similar state to when I took him to Cuba.

"Now we have to dry Diego out and then we will see. We are in the phase of complete drying out. Alcohol is a drug, he swapped one for another. 

"I remember in past years it wasn't just drugs that Diego consumed, alcohol also formed one of the cornerstones of Diego's addiction. But I don't want to talk about the past, but rather how we proceed now. 

"If Diego realises his condition and starts to recover, it will be a different story."

Debutants Marcus Forss and Onni Valakari scored debut goals as Finland ended France's 12-match unbeaten run with a shock 2-0 friendly victory.

A much-changed Les Bleus side made a promising start, but 21-year-olds Forss and Valakari struck in the space of three first-half minutes to put Finland in command at the Stade de France on Wednesday.

France debutant Marcus Thuram struck the crossbar before Forss opened the scoring, but the world champions were toothless ahead of their Nations League encounters with Portugal and Sweden.

Finland, who also rung the changes, were solid after rocking Didier Deschamps' side with those two first-half goals from out of the blue and famously secured their first win over France, whose previous defeat came against Turkey in June 2019.

Thuram made a lively start on the left flank and almost opened the scoring when he rose high to head Lucas Digne's corner against the crossbar 15 minutes in, before volleying over unmarked from just eight yards out.

France were dominant but Finland took the lead against the run of play just before the half-hour mark, Forss driving into the penalty area to fire home with his left foot after Rasmus Karjalainen dispossessed Moussa Sissoko.

Things quickly went from bad to worse for Les Bleus, with Valakari cutting inside onto his left foot and picking his spot in the top-left corner with a stunning strike from around 20 yards out.

Finland were brimming with confidence and Steve Mandanda had to be alert to keep out Joni Kauko's effort with his feet early in the second half.

Antoine Griezmann, Anthony Martial and N'Golo Kante were introduced 12 minutes after the break, with Paul Pogba among the trio withdrawn, but France were running out of ideas.

Monaco full-back Ruben Aguilar made his debut off the bench and Griezmann firing wide in stoppage time when he ought to have scored summed up a frustrating night for France.

What does it mean? Fringe players fail to take their chance

Digne, Clement Lenglet and Steven Nzonzi were the only players who started the win over Croatia last month to be named in the line-up to take on Finland.

Deschamps would have been expecting those who came into the team to show the world champions' strength in depth, but it was a flat performance after a bright start.

Mixed start for Thuram

The performance of Thuram might be one positive for Deschamps to take from a rare defeat. Son of France legend Lilian Thuram, the 23-year-old Borussia Monchengladbach attacker showed glimpses of his quality in Paris.

He had six shots and should have found the back of the net, but only once hit target. Thuram took on much more responsibility than some of his more senior team-mates, though, and also made two key passes. However, a lack of composure was evident not just with his finishing, as just one of his five crosses found the intended target.

Pogba ineffective

Midfielder Pogba's struggles with Manchester United have been well documented and he had an evening to forget in the middle of the park.

While he failed to complete only six of his 51 passes, Pogba did not really look like unlocking the Finland defence and was often too deep to have a significant impact before he was withdrawn.

What's next?

France face Portugal in the Nations League on Saturday, while Finland come up against Bulgaria away from home on Sunday.

Gabriel Jesus wants Brazil to again prove they can win without Neymar after it was confirmed their talisman would miss the 2022 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.

Selecao No.10 Neymar is struggling with a groin strain, missing Paris Saint-Germain's past three matches in all competitions – including a Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig.

Brazil are just as reliant on the 28-year-old as his club, with their remarkable semi-final collapse against Germany at a home World Cup in 2014 coming after he was injured in the last eight.

But Tite's men were also without Neymar for last year's Copa America, a competition they won, and Jesus does not believe his side can go looking for excuses.

"Obviously we talk about the importance of Neymar with his club and for our team, how much he has given and gives every day. I'm a big fan," the Manchester City forward said. 

"But when it comes to the national team, everyone has to share the responsibility, it can't just fall on him. Everyone is here for a reason.

"With Neymar, we were closer to victory, but the Selecao demonstrated that they can play without him. We always want him to be available, as he scores, assists. But if he can't play, while we know his importance, we have to share the responsibility.

"Whoever is here has the quality to make the Selecao win."

Jesus, who both scored and was sent off in the Copa America final, is determined to play his part, having missed the previous international break through injury.

"Even as a young man, I have a certain history here and I am happy to wear this shirt that I always dreamed of," he said.

"And whenever there is a call-up, it is the same party as always; I look, I hear my name and I am moved. I always want to come and help, and this time I came with 100 per cent focus to be able to help."

After hosting Venezuela on Friday, Brazil then travel to Uruguay for another World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. Tite's side have won their past three matches and scored an impressive 12 goals in the process. 

Spain captain Sergio Ramos has equalled Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon's record for the most international appearances made by a player for a European nation.

Ramos made his 176th appearance for La Roja in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in a friendly at Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam - matching the mark set by Buffon made with his final Italy appearance in March 2018.

The Spaniards couldn't mark the 34-year-old's milestone with a win, however, despite Sergio Canales' maiden international goal putting them ahead in the 19th minute.

Manchester United's Donny van de Beek drilled home an equaliser in the second half as the two teams played out a draw ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixtures later in the international break.

During his teenage years at Sevilla, Ramos made his debut for Spain's national team during a 3-0 friendly win against China in March 2005 - with his appearance at 18 years, 361 days making him the national team's youngest player in 55 years at the time.

After joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2015, Ramos scored his first two goals for Spain shortly after in a 4-0 thrashing of San Marino in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.

Ramos also established himself as an indispensable part of the Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup and European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

He captained his nation for the first time in a friendly against South Korea in June 2010 and eventually took over the role permanently in 2018 for the World Cup once legendary goalkeeper Iker Casilias was phased out of the squad.

Ramos started his career as an attacking right-back, but eventually moved into central defence when his defensive qualities became apparent.

Despite playing as a centre-back, Ramos is Spain's eighth-highest all-time goalscorer with 23 goals, as he often takes penalties and threatens from set pieces.

He also holds the record for the most international victories for La Roja with 129 wins.

Spain are currently positioned top of Nations League A Group 4 with seven points - one ahead of Germany and Ukraine.

Their next fixtures in the competition will come against Switzerland (Saturday) and Germany (Wednesday).

Crystal Palace's £17 million ($22m) summer signing Eberechi Eze is readying himself for England Under-21s' match with Albania on Friday but his journey has been a story of overcoming rejection.

Eze was released by Arsenal aged 13 and tried his luck at a series of other clubs but history repeated itself after the academies at Fulham, Reading and Millwall all declined his services.

Having worked part-time in a UK supermarket chain while studying in college, Eze finally saw a subsequent trial at Queen's Park Rangers lead to a contract. He made his first-team debut six months later and now, four years on, he is playing against Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League.

To overcome such a series of setbacks wasn't easy and Eze admits that he was concerned that his dream might never have come to fruition.

"Of course, you have doubts," Eze said at England's training centre at St. George's Park. "You have doubts in your thinking of whether you're going to get your professional contract, whether you're going to be what you hoped you'd be.

"It has built huge resilience in me; I think being released, I'm sure loads of players will tell you this, being released is not the best feeling and you're not in the best space mentally. But of course, as a footballer, not just a footballer, but anyone, you have to be strong, you have to be courageous.

"You have to get back up again, not allow your setbacks to determine where you end up in life. You have to keep moving forward. For me, I feel that's something that was put into me, was forced into me after being released - I had to get up and be strong.

"But for me, it was more the support my family and people around me that continue to instil, that faith in me - and being religious as well.

"Having faith was huge for me, I would always believe that I would get to where I hope to get to and thankfully, and thanks to God, it has worked out."

The contract at QPR was important for Eze, who staked a lot on making it in football. He grew up in Greenwich, London and admitted to money struggles in his part of the south-eastern borough as a kid.

"I didn't come from a rich family or anything like that, my parents did what they could and try their best to help me and my brothers and my sister to get through life. I know the struggle that they've been through, it wasn't easy for them even to gather money for us to look after us," he added.

"But that's why it was more of a relief because I can take some pressure off them and help them a bit and it's not so much of a hand-to-mouth sort of situation.

"I finally got the pro contract that I was praying for, endlessly. And for my family, knowing that I'm now in a position where I can grow and progress along if I work hard, I can grow and be able to help them out of whatever situation that we were in back then.

"That's why it was more of a relief because we had been in a situation without a club for a while and was still working hard still doing what we can but the fact that it came eventually and came quite late, it was honestly a grateful moment.

"I can't relax because you're still working hard but a bit of pressure is off now."

Eze is out to gain more experience in England's set-up, having had just two U21 and seven U20 appearances so far. England have already qualified for the U21 European Championships this summer but still have two extra games to play to help work out who will be in Aidy Boothroyd's final squad.

That is amid a first full season in the Premier League for Eze, who has quickly emerged as a key player for Roy Hodgson's high-flying Palace side. That hasn't changed his mentality, though, and the polite youngster hasn't changed his outlook since making it.

"You know how I feel about myself? I feel the same as how I felt when I was at QPR," he continued. "So it's not much of a difference for me. I know other people may look at me differently,  but for me, the way that me and my family have been and how they've helped me and supported me, I can't look at it any differently."

Uganda Cranes custodian Denis Onyango has cautioned his teammates not to underrate South Sudan when the two sides clash in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The two nations will face off in the first of their two meetings set for November in Kampala on Thursday before the return leg is set for Kenya on November 17.

Onyango, who turns out for South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns says by reaching the group stages of the competition, their opponents have proved they are no pushovers and should be handled with care.

“It is never a walk-over in football,” Onyango said as quoted by Kawowo Sports. “The fact they made it to the group stages shows they have the quality to play at any stage.

“To us, it is all about winning and remaining focused. They are a very resilient team as they fight up to the last end. We need to take our chances created in the game. Our dear fans, we shall miss them but should support us from home.

“They are our neighbours and that makes it more difficult for us but all we need is a win. We need to go hard on them and get maximum points.”

On Wednesday, Uganda suffered a huge blow after striker Alexis Bbakka pulled out of the squad owing to injury. The Umea FC forward was among 20 foreign-based players summoned by coach Johnathan McKinstry for the double-header against South Sudan.

The striker was part of the team that faced Burkina Faso last year in a game that ended in a 0-0 draw in Ouagadougou. Alex Kakuba and Uche Ikpeazu are the others who have withdrawn from the squad preparing to face the Bright Stars on Thursday.

Wycombe Wanderers’ Ikpeazu was set to make his Uganda debut but an injury suffered while turning out for the club has denied him the chance.

Edirisa Lubega, Kizito Luwagga, Ronald Mukiibi, and Joseph Ochaya are the foreign-based players who have already linked up with seven local players that were picked from an initial list of 20.

Goalkeepers: Dennis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al-Hilal, Sudan), Charles Lukwago (KCCA).

Defenders: Nico Wakiro Wadada (Azam, Tanzania), Timothy Denis Awany (Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Elvis Bwomono (Southend, England), Dissan Galiwango (Vipers), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Patrick Mbowa (URA), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers), Ronald Mukiibi (Ostersunds FK, Sweden).

Midfielders: Michael Azira (Chicago Fire, USA), Khalid Aucho (Misr Lel Makasa, Egypt), Allan Kyambadde (El Gouna, Egypt), Allan Okello (Paradou, Algeria), Karim Watambala (Vipers), Shafic Kagimu (URA).

Forwards: Derrick Nsibambi (Smouha, Egypt), William Luwagga Kizito (Hapoel, Israel), Edirisa Lubega (Paide Linnameeskond, Estonia), Emmanuel Arnold Okwi (Ittihad Alexandria, Egypt), Fahad Bayo (Ironi Ashdod, Israel), Farouk Miya (Konyaspor, Turkey), Brian Aheebwa (KCCA FC).

Ghana have dropped any hope of having the services of Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey for an upcoming 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying double-header against Sudan.

The 27-year-old suffered a thigh injury in The Gunners’ 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, leading to his substitution at half-time.

On Monday, Goal exclusively reported the Odumase-Krobo-born player will be unable to join up with his national squad for the upcoming internationals. The Ghana Football Association (GFA), meanwhile, failed to close the door on the possibility of having their man, stating on Tuesday they were waiting for official communication from Arsenal to decide the fate of the former Atletico Madrid man.

“Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been ruled out of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan,” the GFA announced on their official website on Wednesday.

“The Arsenal stalwart was on Sunday, replaced at half time by Daniel Ceballos during their Premier League game against Aston Villa at the Emirates.

“Arsenal have confirmed that the player picked up a minor sprain in his ankle and would require treatment in London. As a result, Partey, will not travel to Accra for the double-header against Sudan as he continues his treatment in North London.

“Partey was included in coach CK Akonnor’s 23-man squad to face Sudan in the 2021 Afcon qualifiers, but the injury has ruled him out of the two games.

“The game is scheduled for the Cape Coast stadium on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 16: 00 GMT.

“We wish Thomas a speedy recovery.”

Partey’s confirmed absence is the latest setback for Ghana who have been rocked by some other withdrawals from coach CK Akonnor’s original 23-man squad summoned.

USA-based right-back Harrison Afful has reportedly pulled out of the double-header on the request of club side Columbus Crew, while China-based Mubarak Wakaso is also said to have withdrawn from Akonnor’s squad due to club commitments.

Germany U21 winger Jamie Leweling has rejected a call-up to the Black Stars, having been invited for the first time, while Real Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Baba Mohammed has been sidelined by injury.

Ghana host Sudan on Thursday and travel for the reverse fixture five days later.

The qualifying stages of Euro 2020 (or Euro 2021) are approaching an end, but we still won't know the full roster of participating teams until November 2020.

Twenty teams automatically advanced to the finals through the qualifying stages, which leaves four additional teams fighting for a spot through the play-offs.

Things, of course, were complicated by the global crisis of the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic, but Goal has everything you need to know.

Contents

What are the Euro 2020 play-offs?

The top two in each of the 10 Euro 2020 qualifying groups automatically advanced to the tournament, making for 20 participants.

The four remaining places, then, are determined through the play-offs.

Whereas in previous editions of the Euros where play-off participants were determined by their performances in the qualifiers, for 2021 they were decided based on their standings in the UEFA Nations League.

The play-offs take place in November 2020.

What is the UEFA Nations League? Finals, fixtures, results & how it works

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How do the Euro 2020 play-offs work?

In addition to the 20 teams who qualify for the competition by finishing in the top two of the 10 groups, four teams will qualify via the play-offs.

A total of 16 teams participate in the play-offs based on their Nations League group finishes and performances.

Four play-off routes are involved, with four teams allocated to each route.

There are two semi-finals and one final per route, and each match will be single-leg matches – there will be no two-legged matches unlike in previous years.

During the semi-final stage, the best-ranked Nations League team is at home against the fourth-placed side, and the second-ranked team will welcome the third-best team.

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Which teams qualified for the Euro 2020 play-offs?

Here's where it all seems to get a bit complicated. The winners of the 16 Nations League groups (Groups A, B, C and D) progressed to the play-offs.

But the way the structure of the play-offs is set, roughly half of the Nations League group winners qualified for the Euro finals directly. Since they don't need to qualify from the play-offs, their place will be allocated to the next best-ranked team from that League.

Here are the teams in the play-offs.

Path A:  Iceland, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary
Path B:  Bosnia and Herzegovina , Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland
Path C:  Scotland, Norway, Serbia, Israel
Path D:  Georgia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Belarus

A draw took place on November 22 to confirm the play-off matches and the outcome can be seen below.

Play-off path A

Iceland defeated Romania in semi-final one of Path A, while Hungary beat Bulgaria in the other semi-final.

Hungary will have home advantage in the final.

Play-off path B

Semi-final one saw Northern Ireland beat Bosnia & Herzegovina, while Slovakia defeated the Republic of Ireland in the other semi-final.

Northern Ireland will be the hosts for the final.

Play-off path C

Scotland overcame Israel on penalties in one of the semi-finals, while Serbia beat Norway in extra time in the other.

The winner of Norway vs Serbia will be at home for the final.

Play-off path D

Georgia narrowly defeated Belarus, while North Macedonia saw off the challenge of Kosovo in the other semi-final in path D.

The final will be hosted by Georgia.

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Which teams have qualified for Euro 2020?

A total of 20 countries - Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales - have already secured their places automatically and will not need to participate in the play-offs.

Euro 2020: Which countries have qualified for the 24-team finals?

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When are the play-offs?

The play-offs will take place on November 12, 2020.

They had originally been scheduled for March 2020, then June, but were pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Champions League group stage has been drawn and the 32 teams know who their first six games of the tournament will be against.

Bayern Munich won the competition last season after beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final in Lisbon, and Goal looks at who the favourites are to be victorious this time around.

Who are the favourites to win the Champions League?

Bayern Munich are 11/4 (3.75) to win the Champions League again following their triumph at Estadio da Luz in August 2020.

Kingsley Coman scored the winning goal to round off an incredible campaign by the Bundesliga champions, with Hansi Flick’s men winning every single game and netting 43 times in the process.

The title holders will be confident of reaching the knockout stages again, having taken nine points after beating each of Atletico Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow in their opening three Group A games.

Manchester City are 9/2 (5.50) to break their duck and win the Champions League for the first time.

Pep Guardiola has previously won the tournament with Barcelona, but has yet to progress past the quarter-finals during his four seasons with City.

Liverpool won the Champions League in 2018-19 and are 6/1 (7.0) to lift the trophy for the seventh time in their history.

Drawn into Group D, the Reds will be backing themselves to progress and have started impressively with wins over Ajax, Atalanta and Midtjylland, earning nine points from a possible nine so far.

Who are the underdogs to win the Champions League?

PSG reached the Champions League final for the first time last season and are 14/1 (15.0) to go one step further this time.

Boasting one of the most fearsome attacks in world football, the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe will need to be at their best to overcome a poor start in a tough group featuring Manchester United and RB Leipzig.

Barcelona are also 14/1 (15.0) after a turbulent summer saw them almost sell Lionel Messi.

Most neutrals will certainly be glad that Messi remained at the club as Barca are in Group G alongside Juventus, meaning the Argentine will clash with Cristiano Ronaldo once again.

Juventus are priced at 14/1 (15.0) to win the Champions League for the first time in 25 years.

The Serie A champions have lost in the final five times since last winning it in 1996, and although they should progress from Group G, whether that is in first or second will likely rest on the form of Ronaldo.

Real Madrid are 16/1 (17.0) to win the Champions League for the fifth time in eight seasons.

Zinedine Zidane’s side won it an extraordinary four times between 2014 and 2018 and, as the most successful side in the competition’s history, will be out to lift the trophy for the 14th time in their history.

Who are the outsiders to win the Champions League?

Chelsea are 20/1 (21.0) to win the Champions League and may prove a popular bet after being handed a relatively straightforward group.

Frank Lampard’s side have taken seven points after one game against each of Sevilla, Krasnodar and Rennes, as the former Blues midfielder searches for European glory and his first trophy as manager.

Atletico Madrid have proven themselves to be an incredibly tough side to break down in the last decade and are 25/1 (21.0) to finally win the Champions League.

The staunch defence of Diego Simeone’s men makes them a side that nobody wants to face, but the Spanish club are yet to lift this trophy after losing the final in 2014 and 2016 to Real Madrid.

Sevilla are 25/1 (26.0) to follow up last season's Europa League final win over Inter by lifting the Champions League title, and are in a good position to reach the knockout stages after picking up seven points from nine.

Manchester United are available at 28/1 (26.0) after sneaking into the Champions League on the final day of last season, and have recorded stunning wins over PSG and RB Leipzig but lost at Istanbul Basaksehir to keep the group in the balance.

Also 28/1 (26.0) are Borussia Dortmund, who are one of the most exciting young sides in the competition but it remains to be seen if that translates into European glory.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Salinas' Ghanaian defender Nartey Polo believes his club are in a better position to pick up a Caf Confederation Cup first round ticket over Ghana Premier League (GPL) outfit Ashanti Gold.

The two sides are set for a showdown int the preliminary round of the continental championship, having been pitched against each other in Monday's draw.

The Burkinabe club will travel to Ghana for the first leg fixture on November 27-29 and host the reverse fixture one week later. 

"I was very happy when I heard the news that we are going to play against Ashanti Gold in the Confederation Cup," Polo told Ashh FM.

"I know Ghanaians to be the best when it comes to football and we also play good football so it will be very exciting and interesting playing against Ashanti Gold.

"I have known Ashanti Gold to be one of the best teams years ago but for now I don't know their players and the team.

"We [Salitas] are good at all aspects of systems used in football. Salitas is very sound when it comes to finances so surely qualify ahead of Ashanti Gold."

The aggregate winners of the AshGold-Salitas tie will face either El Amal of Sudan or KVZ FC of Zanzibar in the next round of the competition.

Salitas are the runners-up of the 2018-19 Burkinabe Premier League. 

“I think the club can make a case in Africa with better preparations," Elmina Sharks coach Yaw Acheampong said on AshGold's Africa campaign in June, as reported by Footballghana.

"Now the players are embarking on individual training due to the Covid-19 and that is not enough for them.

“I will entreat them to prepare well. They have some talented players like Amos Addae and other good players who have tested Africa.

"So if management is able to beef up the squad, they can do well having had experience in the ongoing season."

Last season, AshGold similarly played in the Caf Confederation Cup, and their campaign ended in the first round by Moroccan sides RS Berkane.

Acting Wales manager Rob Page has promised to take good care of Gareth Bale and the rest of the squad after Jose Mourinho expressed his concerns over the Tottenham star's condition. 

Bale has been eased back into first-team action since rejoining Spurs from Real Madrid over the summer. 

And Mourinho is worried that consecutive international games could undo the club's work in helping the winger regain his fitness, having only recently returned to the starting XI. 

"He's a player that's had enough problems in the past. He's working so much and we all are working so much and so carefully with him that we don't want to destroy the work that everybody has been doing for the past couple of months," the Spurs boss signalled to reporters ahead of the international break.

"Wales have two matches in the Nations League and I expect him to play but if they care as much about him as we do they have to manage the recovering periods."

Page, who is managing Wales on an interim basis while Ryan Giggs answers alleged assault charges, gave a diplomatic response as he sought to put the Special One's mind at ease. 

"I can empathise with what Jose is saying because I have been a club manager myself," Page explained in a press conference held via Zoom on Wednesday.

"We are borrowing his players so they can play for Wales, so we are absolutely going to look after them.

"We are not going to undo any work that has been done at club level, irrespective of whether that is Gareth Bale or whoever. We trust that what we deliver is elite sports preparation for the games.

"I haven't spoken to him [Mourinho], but there is a plan that we have for Gareth and that is no different to any other player.

"If they come in having played on a Saturday, they will have a second-day recovery on a Monday. If they play on Sunday, they will be off the grass on Monday, with second-day recovery on Tuesday.

"We have a medical team that is second to none and they have a template in place for every player coming into the squad.

"If they have individual plans for themselves, we will, of course, adhere to that as well.

"From our point of view, there has been no communication [with Spurs], but we have a plan to get the players fit and ready for the games in a sensible manner. It has been no different over the years and we will continue to do that."

Page nevertheless admitted that he was delighted to have Wales' star player back in peak condition, and backed him to make a big impact in the upcoming matches.

"We now have a fully fit Gareth Bale," Page added. "I've had a conversation with him and he is raring to go. He is fighting fit.

"Since I've been involved with Wales over the past year, this is probably the first time he has been enjoying his football and his training. He looks fit and he feels fit.

"It's good to have a fully-fit Gareth Bale involved in the squad."

Wales meet United States in a friendly on Thursday before back-to-back Nations League meetings with Republic of Ireland and Finland on November 15 and 18 respectively.

Jurgen Klopp says he looks "like a complete idiot" because of his conduct on the sidelines during Liverpool matches.

The German coach is famous for his energetic and emotional reactions to events on the field, which have landed him in trouble with officials throughout his career.

But Klopp admits he cannot control himself, as he said in the new film The End Of The Storm:  

“The most obvious thing is people see me very animated constantly, grinding my teeth and pointing. 

"I cannot look overnight like The Thinker, standing out there like this [adopts Rodin pose] and everybody thinks obviously something must be going on in his mind. At specific moments I still look like a complete idiot on the sidelines, I know that.

“I still have the most red cards, or certainly the most fines, as a manager in the history of the Bundesliga. Irony doesn’t help. Referees cannot really deal with that. I think it was my first red card as a manager, I went to the assistant referee and I said: ‘How many wrong decisions are allowed? Because if it’s 15 we have one left.’ He raised his flag, and whoosh, I was already on my way to the stands. But I can’t sit down.”

The 53-year-old says he is proud of the diversity in his side and described how the team accommodates Muslim players like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

“I love that we have so such ‘Multi-Culti’. I would say [having] the best ambassadors for being a Muslim in the team is really great." he said.

"Muslims wash their body very often in specific situations. Before warming up, after warming up, it takes time. So we decided to do things differently.

“We only had an hour when we arrive in the stadium and when we go back in the dressing room after warming up to do these rituals. It costs us exactly two minutes to do these rituals. It’s easy to give these two minutes away that they can do in this moment what is to them absolutely important.”

The former Borussia Dortmund boss has instilled an intense playing style at Anfield, but he says their high pressing helps players conserve energy.

“You don’t have to be fitter to play for Liverpool. You just have to be fit and to fit our plan," he added.

"Our game is not actually as intense as it looks. We do the things we do to save energy. Winning the ball back immediately is a two or three-yard sprint. If you don’t win the ball there, 10 players have to run 50 or 60 yards to win the ball, it’s much more exhausting.

“Even when we are attacking we need to have players who are ready to defend. Because the only time in life when you can feel free is when you have protection.”

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has stated his team’s double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are must-win games, to shift attention to World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles currently lead Group L with six points, having defeated Benin Republic and Lesotho in their opening two games.

Victory for the three-time African kings in Benin City and a draw in the return leg at least will send them through to the biennial football showpiece billed for Cameroon.

As his team continues to intensify preparations for the game against John Keister’s side, the German tactician also disclosed that his team would not underestimate the visitors at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

“We do not in any way underrate the Sierra Leoneans that we play over two legs within these four days, but we have our focus and objective for the matches,” Rohr was quoted in a statement made available by the NFF.

“We want to win both games so we can have the ticket and be able to be little more relaxed for the final games.

“You know that next year, we also have the World Cup qualifiers to focus on. It is better to get the Africa Cup of Nations job behind us now.

“I am excited by the spirit of the players and their sense of dedication and commitment. We have not played a competitive match in a year, but they look very ready and good to go. Our mission is six points in these two matches.”

After a sluggish start to the qualifying series which saw them draw Lesotho and lose to Benin Republic, the West Africans sit at the base of the group. And to stand a chance of making their third appearance in the finals, they must shock the Super Eagles in both fixtures.

Meanwhile, Kenyan referee Peter Kamaku will be in charge of the encounter. His compatriots Gilbert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Tony Mudanyi Kidiya and Anthony Juma Ogwayo are assistant one, assistant two and fourth official respectively.

Solomon Gebreselassie Abebe from Ethiopia will be the match commissioner while Attama Ibrahim Boureima from Niger Republic will be the referee's assessor.

For all that there are numerous polarizing points in the Nigerian polity at the moment, the verdict on October’s pair of international friendlies was quite unanimous; for all intents and purposes, they provided no further insight on the state of the senior men’s national team.

If anything, the reviews veered toward the negative. While they were not competitive internationals, and the Super Eagles were forced to do without Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Victor Osimhen, the supine, diffident performances against Algeria and Tunisia fell well below expectation.

One of the few crumbs of comfort came in the form of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who tripled his total number of international caps with assured showings in both matches. He even found occasion, in the midst of largely forgettable fare, to make some impressive saves to boot, and cannot be faulted for either of the two goals conceded.

It was a mighty source of relief, particularly considering the absences of Francis Uzoho and Daniel Akpeyi. The uncertainty between the sticks for the Super Eagles down the years has been copiously documented, but suddenly it appears there is relative bounty.

Of course, with a multiplicity of options comes an uncertainty of a different kind altogether. With Akpeyi returning for the qualifiers against Sierra Leone, Gernot Rohr suddenly has a new question to answer, one not centred on picking the least worst option.

So, should Okoye keep his spot as Nigeria’s No.1?

There are two prisms through which to appraise the worth of a goalkeeper’s case: his own performance, and those of his competitors. Okoye has incumbency, of course, but he has to contend with challenges from previous first-choices Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, as well as a left-field contention from newbie Sebastian Osigwe.

On his own merits, the Sparta Rotterdam shot-stopper has been pretty impeccable in green and white. Since taking the field in the second-half of the 2019 friendly against Brazil, Okoye has set about quieting the misgivings of Nigeria, who considered his invitation from the German fourth-tier.

He has since moved to the Eredivisie, and has enjoyed a run of games as a starter for his struggling Dutch club side. More pertinently, however, he has appeared unfazed by the challenge of international football, unflappable under pressure and assured in his mien.

There is still a case against him, however. And it is that, for all that he has impressed, Sierra Leone – if he were selected – would mark his competitive debut, his three previous outings having come in friendlies. There is still something to be said for greater stakes and the effect they can have on the nerves; with something on the line, does Rohr really want to take the plunge with next to nothing by way of sample size?

By contrast, Akpeyi and Ezenwa have been tested in the fires of competitive international football, and were part of the squad to last year’s Africa Cup of Nations. However, both come with caveats that are impossible to ignore.

Akpeyi has not kept a clean sheet for Nigeria in five games, and is coming off a bit of an injury lay-off.

While he has never overwhelmingly convinced, his form with Kaizer Chiefs, where he displaced club icon and long-time South Africa No.1 Itumeleng Khune, has meant he deservedly held the post following the unfortunate ACL injury suffered by Francis Uzoho in October 2019.

Ezenwa has also not convinced, despite being handed some daunting assignments, especially during the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. More pertinently however, he has not played football in any capacity since March, and as such it would be a major surprise were he to upturn the established order.

Osigwe is a curveball, having no experience whatsoever and playing out of the lowly Swiss top-flight. His invitation is almost certainly a sort of on-site assessment exercise.

With all the cards on the table, and knowing Rohr’s preference toward loyalty, there is a likelihood that he reinstalls Akpeyi. In truth, that would not be a travesty by any stretch. However, he copped a significant amount of flak for plucking Okoye out of relative obscurity in the first place, and will no doubt relish the chance to finally justify his leap of faith.

Egoism aside, the serenity that Okoye transmits, as well as a burgeoning relationship with the rest of the back four, suggests the German-born goalkeeper is both the likely and the ideal selection come this weekend.