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Memphis Depay has confirmed he is aware of interest from Barcelona but says he is unsure on the likelihood of a move this summer.

The Lyon attacker has emerged as a top target for the Catalan side since former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman took over at Camp Nou last month

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said on Sunday that Barca are not the only team trying to sign in him, however, with Serie A side Roma showing interest, too.

Reports in France claim that Barca are already in talks with Lyon over a deal for the 26-year-old, whose contract expires next summer.

While Memphis recently admitted he could leave the Ligue 1 side before the end of the season, he insists he does not know what will happen before the transfer window closes next month.

“We just have to see what will happen. I'll report to [Lyon] tomorrow and we'll see what happens," he told NOS after Netherlands' 1-0 defeat to Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Monday. 

"I haven't heard much more from my agent. I know that there is interest, but I don't have much more to say because I don't know much about it."

The former PSV and Manchester United winger was disappointed in Netherlands' performance as they were bested by Italy in the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam, with Nicolo Barella heading in the decisive goal just before half-time.

"It had to do with the fact that we had little of the ball. The distances were huge. If we had the ball, then we had little energy to do things. No one was really free," he said when asked about his side's underwhelming display.

"We are winners and it is just a huge waste of such an evening. It was a tough game. We all have both feet on the ground."

Depay was shown a yellow card at the end of the game and will be suspended for the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina on October 11.

The Dutch, who beat Poland 1-0 in their Nations League opener on Friday, now sit a point behind Italy in the group.

Virgil van Dijk felt the Netherlands were suitably punished for a poor performance as they lost 1-0 to Italy in Monday's Nations League clash.

A header from Nicolo Barella secured victory for the Azzurri in Amsterdam and sent them top of Group A1, a point above the Oranje.

The home side kept Italy penned back in the closing minutes but created little by way of clear-cut chances, Manchester United's Donny van de Beek coming closest with a half-volley that was superbly saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

By the end of the match, the Netherlands had mustered just three shots on target, while Italy only fired four with Barella's finish proving to be the crucial moment in Monday's heavyweight clash.

Captain Van Dijk thought his side paid the price for a particularly off-colour display in the first half, as he was left frustrated by his team's performance. 

"It was a poor game for us," the Liverpool defender told NOS. "We couldn't really put them under pressure, we were sloppy in possession.

"The pitch didn't help, either, but that shouldn't be an excuse. We should be better - that's the conclusion tonight.

"The first half wasn't good. After the break, we tried to turn that around, and you saw it did go better at times, but, generally, it wasn't a good match.

"You try to put on all your pressure and, at a certain point, the players also get tired. It's then difficult to keep that up and, when we have the ball, to keep making runs.

"But I'm not going to make excuses. The first half, in particular, was average to poor."

Frenkie de Jong thought the Dutch were forced too far apart by Italy's pressing, leaving them unable to exploit any potential Azzurri gaps.

"They put pressure on us quickly," said the Barcelona midfielder. "They split us apart like that. When we had the ball, we were often far apart. It's then difficult to play football.

"This says nothing about our qualities. We will have to do better in the away game."

Next up for the Netherlands is a friendly with Mexico before visits to Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy during the next round of Nations League matches.

Italy, meanwhile, will meet Moldova for a friendly of their own before a visit to Poland and that clash with the Dutch squad in Milan.

Three Premier League players have tested positive for Covid-19 in the latest round of testing instigated by the league.

Manchester City have confirmed that Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez have both returned positive tests for the virus, but the identity of the third player is unknown.

Both City stars are, therefore, doubtful for the opening round of fixtures for the new Premier League season, with Pep Guardiola’s side up against Wolves on Monday, September 21.

“The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 31 August and Sunday 6 September, 1,605 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19,” a statement reads. “Of these, there were three new positive tests.

“Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days.

“The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

“No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing.”

City, however, elected to name Laporte and Mahrez as stars who contracted the virus.

“Both players are currently observing a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. Neither is displaying symptoms of the virus,” a statement from the club said.

“Everyone at the Club wishes Riyad and Aymeric a speedy recovery ahead of their return to training and the new season.”

Indeed, the French defender took to social media to put out his own post.

“Thank you all for your messages, everything is going as well as possible, I am following the protocol for the next few days and I will be back soon. Take care of yourself,” he said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Mahrez stated: “Thank you for all the nice messages, I'm good. Stay safe everyone take care of you.”

In total, 23 Premier League players have tested positive for the virus since May 17-18, when the protocol was first put in place.

Meanwhile, several other high-profile players from around the world have previously tested positive for the virus, including Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, who was on international duty with France when he returned his test, Paris Saint-Germain stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, as well as Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

Roma and Italy midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo has suffered a serious-looking knee injury, according to the Azzurri's doctor.

Zaniolo limped from the pitch in obvious discomfort after an innocuous collision with Donny van de Beek in Italy's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Monday.

The 21-year-old had only recently recovered from surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament tear sustained in January, making eight appearances for Roma in the closing weeks of the prolonged Serie A season.

Italy doctor Andrea Ferretti says the player looks to have suffered "major" damage to his left knee - not the one he injured back in January.

"It looks like a major knee sprain," Ferretti said to Rai Sport. "It's difficult to draw comparisons with the other knee because that's already been operated on.

"It's a sprain of some importance. He's coming out of that long rehabilitation process for the other cruciate and he's obviously worried, as we are, too."

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini said he was sorry for Zaniolo, adding: "I hope it's nothing serious. We'll know more tomorrow."

Champions-League winning coach Fabio Capello has previously said he believes Zaniolo is capable of winning the Ballon d'Or in the future.

"This Roma talent has extraordinary physicality, power and pace, mixed in with quality. He has the potential not just to win the Golden Shoe in future, but something more,” the 74-year-old told Sky Sport Italia last month.

"Kaka didn’t have the same strength as Zaniolo, as he was more technical and expressed himself better in the final third.

"I am in love with Zaniolo, because he has everything at the highest level: power, quality and pace. There are players out there with a lot of potential, but not like him.

"Looking at the assist for Perotti against Juventus, to reach the edge of the area after running from midfield with the ball at his feet and still having the cool head to make that precise pass, that means he has great vision and a really precise feel for the ball.

"I don’t see other young players as good as Zaniolo around at the moment, so yes, I think he has the potential to become a Ballon d’Or winner.”

A header from Nicolo Barella secured Italy's win over the Netherlands and moved them top of Group A1 in the Nations League.

Phil Foden has issued an apology for a breach of Covid-19 safety measures while on England duty in Iceland.

Foden, 20, and 18-year-old Manchester United winger Mason Greenwood, who made their international debuts in the 1-0 win, have been dropped from the Three Lions squad after it was revealed they invited women back to their hotel room in Reykjavik.

The incident has sparked a police investigation and the pair could be hit with fines, while they have been sent back to England and will have to obey quarantine guidelines before they can return to training with their respective clubs.

The Manchester City midfielder has admitted to breaking protocol and has promised to learn a lesson from the debacle. 

"Following the story which has emerged today regarding my actions in Iceland, I want to make a full apology," Foden wrote in a note published on Twitter.

"I apologise to Gareth Southgate, to my England team-mates, to the staff, supporters, and also to my club and my family.

"When I was called up by Gareth for these games, my first reaction was that of immense pride. To pull on that shirt for the senior team in my England debut was an incredible privilege.

"I am a young player with a lot to learn, but I am aware of the huge responsibility I have in representing Manchester City and England at this level.

"On this occasion, I made a poor decision and my behaviour didn’t meet the standards expected of me.

"I breached Covid-19 protocols put in place to protect myself and my England colleagues. As a consequence I will now miss the opportunity to travel to Denmark with the squad, and that hurts.

"I will learn a valuable lesson from this error in judgement and I wish Gareth and the team good luck this week."

England boss Southgate expressed his disappointment in Foden and Greenwood on Monday in his press conference ahead of their UEFA Nations League match against Denmark on Tuesday. 

"They have got responsibilities and they have apologised," he said. "What is clear is that there was a breach of the coronavirus guidelines. We spent such a long time getting those measures in place - the whole squad followed that together.

"It is a very serious situation and we have treated it that way. Obviously, they have been naive, we have dealt with it appropriately."

Atlanta United have announced that midfielder Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez has been sold to Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League.

Martinez originally joined the club in January 2019, becoming one of the most expensive transfers in league history as he signed on from River Plate in a reported $14 million deal.

It was at River that Martinez emerged as a superstar, having won the 2018 South American Player of the Year as he led the Argentine powerhouse to a Copa Libertadores crown.

But he never reached those heights during his time at Atlanta, as he scored five goals and recorded nine assists in his first MLS season amid difficulties under first-year manager Frank de Boer.

Still, despite a difficult season that saw De Boer's Atlanta team struggle to build on the success of previous manager Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, the club did win the Campeones Cup as well as the U.S. Open Cup.

This season, Martinez had seemingly found his form, firing four goals and four assists in 10 total appearances between league play and the CONCACAF Champions League.

De Boer was dismissed following a dismal performance at the MLS is Back Tournament, with Atlanta United earning five points from four matches under interim boss Stephen Glass since the league's restart.

However, the 27-year-old Martinez will now head to Saudi Araba, with Atlanta United confirming that the sale will join Miguel Almiron's $27m (£20m) move to Newcastle as the two most lucrative sales in MLS history.

According to the Athletic, Atlanta United will receive $18m (£14m) in the deal, earning a profit on the midfielder after a season-and-a-half stay in MLS.

“We want to thank Pity for his contributions to our club for the past two years,” said Atlanta United vice-president and technical director Carlos Bocanegra.

“He will forever be a part of Atlanta United’s history after playing an integral part in our 2019 season in which we lifted two trophies. We’ll look to be diligent in our efforts to fill that roster spot during this window.”

With Martinez's departure, the club frees up a Designated Player spot as well as an international spot.

Josef Martinez and Ezequiel Barco currently occupy the club's other two DP slots, with the former currently out of action after tearing his ACL in March.

Atlanta will face Inter Miami on Wednesday in the club's next MLS match.

Obrey Chirwa's first-half header was all Azam FC needed to defeat Polisis Tanzania by a solitary goal in a league match played at Azam Complex on Monday.

This was the seventh meeting between the two sides, and the Icecream Makers came into the match as favourites considering they have won four and drawn two of the last six meetings. 

With the team aiming at challenging for the Tanzania Mainland League title this season, a win at home would be vital to set the tempo for the Chamazi-based side at the start of the campaign.

It explains the reason why the hosts started the match on a high. Zimbabwean forward Obrey Chirwa, who finished last season with 12 goals for his team, once again proved his worth a few seconds prior to the half-break.

Defensive lapses from the left allowed Prince Dube enough space to cross the ball into the danger zone. The goalkeeper made poor calculations allowing Chirwa space to rise highest and head the ball home and ensure his team went to the break with a deserved lead.

It turned out to be the only goal of the game as the administrative side went home disappointed after losing their fifth game out of the seven played against Azam FC.

Earlier on, KMC recorded the biggest win of the first round after hitting their visitors Mbeya City for four.

Emmanuel Mvuyekure cheekily beat the defenders and the custodian with his 25-yard free-kick. It was a goal that goalkeeper Harun Mandanda could not keep out.

The second goal came in the 38th minute when Israel Patrick picked out the run of Hassan Kabunda and he passed the ball to him. The latter made no mistake from three yards to ensure KMC went to the break with a two-goal advantage.

Ten minutes after the break, the hosts were at it again, this time Abdul Hillary completed a Hassan Kabunda cross which the defenders failed to clear.

A good run and finish from Paul Peter in the 73rd minute ensured KMC went to the top of the table.

In another league match, Kagera Sugar suffered a 1-0 loss against their visitors JKT Tanzania. The lone goal came in the 15th-minute courtesy Adam Adam with Kevin Kongwe providing the assist.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced it has commenced processes towards the implementation of video assistant review (VAR) technology on the domestic scene.

The Ghana Premier League (GPL) is expected to be the first beneficiary.  

First written into the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in 2018, VAR reviews decisions made by the centre referee by the use of video footage and communication headsets.

"The Ghana Football Association (GFA), has begun the process of implementing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in domestic competitions," the national football's governing body said in a publication on its official website. 

VAR was used from the quarter-final stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt.

Following Ghana's surprising Round of 16 elimination at the hands of Tunisia, then Black Stars coach James Kwasi Appiah called for the full use of the technology at the tournament as he believed his side were unfairly denied an Andre Ayew goal which could have changed the outcome of the game.

Should Ghana implement the technology, they will follow the likes of Morocco, Egypt and South Africa on the continent.

"VAR is coming to Ghana, but there is a lot of work that we need to do to ensure that VAR comes to this country," GFA referees manager Alex Kotey said in an interview with GFA News.

"Fifa is saying that, by the next three years, VAR must go to all member VAR: Ghana initiates steps towards technology adoption in domestic football associations and so member associations must begin to accept this concept and let it become part of our football.

"So, in the project planning, there are so many requirements that Fifa will demand from us which is in line with the club licensing regulations and so there’s nothing to fear. After the project planning, there’s another requirement where you have to engage the various stakeholders, like referees who are the main actors of this program.

"The VAR is in three models, that’s, VAR in a structure, VAR in a container and VAR in a mobile van. For me, I’ll be biased and go for the van, and that is because it is movable so that anywhere StarTimes is covering a match, the VAR will be there to make their work very simple.

"Fifa is ready to support this course and the only thing that member associations need to do is to show commitment and the willingness to accept the VAR into our football.

"When that is done, Fifa and Caf will give us all the necessary support that we need to actualize the project. Though we are going to bring VAR, we need to work on our referees because VAR is an aide to officiating and so referees should not be dependent on the VAR.

"We want everyone to catch the euphoria that VAR will soon come to Ghana with the support of the Ghana Football Association, Caf and Fifa."

The VAR reviews goal, penalty, straight red card and mistaken identity decisions.

Former Ghana international and Right to Dream youth team coach Laryea Kingston believes compatriot Mohammed Kudus made a good decision in joining Dutch giants Ajax.

The 20-year-old, who graduated from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, sealed a five-year transfer to the Eredivisie outfit in July following a fine season with Danish fold Nordsjaelland.

He was linked to Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Everton and Newcastle United before settling on Erik ten Hag's team.

“Being with Right to Dream since he was eleven years provided him with all the fundamentals in football," Kingston told Citi Sports.

“His skills goes beyond the football pitch because he is mentally tough and knows how to relate with people.

“This is a good move for him and I expect him to settle in quickly.”

Kudus scored 11 times and assisted one goal in 25 league matches for Nordsjaelland last season.

“At our team FCN [FC Nordsjaelland], Kudus is one of the important players and the head coach wants to build the team around him," Kingston told Goal about Kudus in June.

"Most of the games that he’s played, he did very well. And now most of the big European clubs are chasing him, so it’s good for him and it’s good for the country as well.

“The only thing is he should consider a club where he feels he could play week in week out. He’s young, so when he goes and he’s playing, it’s going to build his confidence but when he goes and he doesn’t get playing time, that’s when his confidence goes down and his performance will drop.

“Looking at Newcastle and Everton, for me I think Everton will fit his game because they give a lot of young players chances. Even the English FA mostly pick youth players at Everton [for national teams], so they will help him develop.

“I will prefer Everton but if Liverpool comes in, they are a big club with guaranteed Champions League football, I think that [Liverpool] will help him a lot more than he will get at the other two clubs [Everton and Newcastle]."

Kudus left Right to Dream Academy for Nordsjaelland in 2018.

He could make his competitive debut for Ajax in their league opener against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday.

Everton have confirmed the signing of James Rodriguez from Real Madrid for a reported £22 million ($29m) fee.

The Colombia international has signed a two-year contract with an option for a third as he reunites with Carlo Ancelotti, who brought him to Madrid in 2014.

The midfielder then teamed up with Ancelotti again at Bayern Munich, where he spent two seasons on loan before returning to the Spanish capital last year.

James made just eight appearances in La Liga last season as Zinedine Zidane's men lifted the title and had less than a year left on his contract with the Santiago Bernabeu side.  

“I am really, really happy to be at this great club, a club with so much history, and here with a manager who knows me really well,” the former Monaco and Porto star told Everton's website. 

“I’m looking forward to achieving great things here – and winning things, which is what everyone’s aim is.

“I’ve come here to try to improve, to get better. I’ve also come here to help the team to win, to play good football – entertaining football. 

“I’m convinced, with Carlo and his technical staff, we can achieve big things and one of the big reasons [I signed] was the presence of Carlo Ancelotti. 

“I have enjoyed some great times with him previously at two different clubs. That was a massive reason to come here.”

He continued: “I’m a winner, I’m a real winner. I can see the plans here, the project here is very serious. Everyone means business.

“I think the seriousness and determination to win trophies can lead to silverware.

“I can see, too, these fans are real, true supporters. I hope we can have a good, positive, mutual feeling between ourselves.

“What they can be sure of is I am going to give everything in every game situation, every play, every build-up. I will be trying my absolute best.

“I have sensed that good feeling right from the very start, and it is excellent.”

Ancelotti, meanwhile, was delighted to welcome the 29-year-old to Goodison Park and hopes he can improve the team as they look to build on last season's 12th-place finish.

“James, as everyone knows, is a fantastic player with a lot of quality and a lot of ability to make assists for the strikers," the coach said.

“He’s really excited about the project of the club and the fact we want to improve. He was really excited to sign and I didn’t spend time to convince him - he was already convinced.

“Players like James and Allan can help us to be better and we can help them to be better. This kind of connection can be helpful to improve the results, the team and results of this club.”

Victor Osimhen will do well at Napoli, according to his Super Eagles teammate Wilfred Ndidi.

Following an inspiring season with Lille – where he scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for the Ligue 1 side in the 2019-20 season - he was snapped up by the Neapolitan side in a deal reported to be worth €50 million (£45m/$59m).

The striker first moved to Europe in 2017 with Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, before moving to Charleroi in Belgium, initially on loan and then in a permanent transfer.

He was hugely impressive in Belgium as he managed 36 goals in 37 appearances, earning him a €14m (£13m/$17m) move to Ligue 1, where his impressive scoring form earned him a move to Italy.

Nevertheless, his teammate at the Super Eagles has tipped him to shine for Gennaro Gattuso’s men, citing his enthusiasm to win as a key factor.

“Whenever Victor is in front [of goal], I also see the ‘ginger’ [enthusiasm]. So, I am very sure that he is going to do well,” Ndidi told NFF media.

“I say good luck to him. He is a great player, he has this energy of wanting to win and I pray God will protect him.

“It won’t be easy because it’s a new team, but I know he is going to do well.”

The 21-year-old is already showing football fans what he could be offering, having scored six goals in two pre-season encounters for the Italian giants.

His first treble came in the decimation of L'Aquila before finding the net thrice in the club’s 4-0 triumph over Serie C club Teramo.

He will spearhead Napoli's attack next season as they compete in the Europa League having finished only seventh in Serie A.

For Andrea D'Amico – who is associate to Osimhen’s current representative William D'Avila - he claims the Nigerian’s battle for a place in Napoli’s starting XI alongside Dries Mertens. Andrea D'Amico will create healthy competition.

"It is clear that when you join an important team, there is always competition,” D'Amico told Radio Marte.

"Napoli have had many champions who have been able to coexist to create healthy internal competition. When you compete on many fronts, you need more roses."

Former Nigeria striker Vitor Ezeji is of the opinion Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi should spend one more season at the Camp Nou.

The Argentine maestro sent shockwaves across the football world when he sent a Burofax to the Barca hierarchy stating his intentions of wanting to leave the Catalan capital.

This came on the back of Barca’s 8-2 Champions League quarter-final bashing at the hands of Bayern Munich, making it the third season in a row the five-time European champions exited on a sour note.

Messi, however, backtracked his desire of wanting to take that action and has revealed in an exclusive with Goal that he is keen to continue with the Blaugrana due to the bond and love he has for the club he has been with since the age of 13.

Messi has a year left to run on his current contract with a release clause set at €700 million. Having tried to force a move away, Ezeji believes he should simply spend the 2020-21 season in Catalonia, knowing he will be a free agent at the end of it.

“I’m very sure he [Messi] must have had a second thought. He must have known the consequences as well because the decision he took was not in his best interest, but only him knows why he took that decision,” Ezeji told Goal.

“One more season won’t do him any harm, then he can go as a free agent. So I think he would have considered that in no time one season will be here and he will go as a free agent instead of all this problem surrounding his move. I think it’s a wise one for him to retrace his steps and decided to stay back at Barcelona.”

Ezeji believes Messi must remain at Barcelona so he can lead the team as captain and win titles. This, according to the former Enyimba player, will make way for a better exit for the Rosario native.

“Being the professional that he is, I think he will always give his best. He is the captain of the team and will ensure things are OK even though [there is a planned] exodus of players from the club. He will have to stay and see what happens next,” Ezeji continued.

“Overall, wisdom must come into play. Let Messi take his time, do his thing for another season for Barcelona, win as much trophies as he can with the team, then he can quietly leave without all this noise.”

When quizzed on why Messi didn’t think through on the consequences of his initial action of wanting to leave, Ezeji said: “Sometimes you just try your luck and see what happens. If Barcelona had kept quiet, probably he would have benefited from it, but he has tried and seen it didn’t work so that’s why he is staying back.”

Ezeji concluded by insisting Messi is unlikely to stay beyond the upcoming season and anything that makes him extend his stay will depend on events during the campaign, under the eye of former Blaugrana player turned manager Ronald Koeman.

“For him to stay back, it will be a mouth-watering offer. If not that, he will definitely move. It’s not about him being emotional, it’s about what he wants. If he decides to leave, I’m very sure not matter what juicy contract they present to him, he might not want to stay back,” Ezeji concluded.

“If he decides that he is done with them, he will have to move on and try somewhere else, but I think all these things will play out in the coming months, then we can see if he’s really staying back or moving.”

The UEFA Nations League  returns for its second edition in the 2020-21 season and the European governing body will hope that the tournament can continue to capture the imagination of fans.

Introduced with the aim of replacing meaningless friendly matches, the idea was to give national teams more competitive action and greater incentives to field their strongest teams.

The second edition of the competition will be the first taste of European international football since November 2019 after the coronavirus pandemic forced the postponement of Euro 2020.

Goal has your guide to the tournament, including details about the groups, fixtures, results and more.

Contents

Nations League 2020-21 fixtures, results & tables

There are four Leagues - A, B, C and D. Leagues A, B and C were divided into four groups of four in the draw that took place on March 3, 2020.

League A

League A features the top 16 teams ranked by their UEFA team coefficient.

It makes for some of the most exciting match-ups, with England, Germany and Belgium in Group A2, Portugal and France in Group A3 and Spain in Germany in Group A4.

Group A1 table

Group A1 fixtures & results

Group A2 table

Group A2 fixtures & results

Group A3 table

Group A3 fixtures & results

Group A4 table

Group A4 fixtures & results

Return to top

League B

League B features the teams ranked 17 to 32, with the likes of Russia, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland in this pool.

Group B1 table

Group B1 fixtures & results

Group B2 table

Group B2 fixtures & results

Group B3 table

Group B3 fixtures & results

Group B4 table

Group B4 fixtures & results

Return to top

League C

Teams ranked 33 to 48 - including Greece, Kosovo and Belarus among others - make up League C.

Group C1 table

Group C1 fixtures & results

Group C2 table

Group C2 fixtures & results

Group C3 table

Group C3 fixtures & results

Group C4 table

Group C4 fixtures & results

Return to top

League D

League D is the smallest section, featuring the lowest-ranked seven teams.

Group D1 table

Group D1 fixtures & results

Group D2 table

Group D2 fixtures & results

Return to top

When does the Nations League 2020-21 start?

The 2020-21 edition of the Nations League will begin on September 3, 2020, with group games being played across September, October and November.

The finals will then take place on June 2, 3 and 6 the following year, with the relegation play-off matches set for March 2022.

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Is the Nations League 2020-21 linked with World Cup 2022?

The Nations League 2020-21 is linked with the UEFA qualifying for World Cup 2022, providing  two places in the play-offs.

Ten World Cup qualifying group winners advance directly to the tournament in Qatar and the 10 runners-up qualify for the play-offs.

The remaining play-off places are reserved for the best two Nations League group winners (based on overall ranking) who did not directly qualify or reach the play-offs in the World Cup qualifying stage.

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Who won the last Nations League?

Portugal won the inaugural edition of the UEFA Nations League in 2018-19. The Selecao defeated the Netherlands in the final to get their hands on the trophy.

Having topped a group containing Italy and Poland in League A, Portugal booked their place in the finals, where they were paired with Switzerland in the semi-finals.

They defeated the Swiss by a score of 3-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick - the decisive goals coming in the 88th and 90th minute.

A solitary goal from Goncalo Guedes was the difference in the final against the Dutch as Portugal secured a 1-0 victory on home turf at Estadio do Dragao.

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Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has hit out at the French FA (FFF) for the manner in which he learned that Kylian Mbappe has tested positive for Covid-19.

It was revealed by the media on Monday that the 21-year-old forward had the virus and had left the France national team camp ahead of their Nations League match against Croatia on Tuesday.

A statement from the FFF quickly followed up, but Leonardo claims that no-one had informed PSG of their player having contracted the coronavirus.

“I find it completely unacceptable that we learn from the press that one of our players is positive,” he told RMC. “They released a statement and sent the player home but no-one from the Federation has communicated this to us. No one has contacted us.”

Asked if he was forced to call the player to receive the communication, he said: “Exactly. He is at home and we learned that from him. 

“Are we managing? Everyone gives lectures to PSG, that we’re poorly managed. But when this happens, it's still PSG that have to manage the problems, despite not knowing about them. PSG are always the bad guys in the story. 

“It is a lack of respect to never communicate with the club. We did not speak with anyone. We only spoke with Mbappe. We were the ones who had to put the pressure on. It is unacceptable.”

Mbappe will, therefore, miss PSG’s forthcoming fixtures against Lens, Marseille and Metz, as well as potentially a clash with Nice. 

His absence will cause a major headache to the Parisian side, whose opening Ligue 1 match is set to take place in Lens on Thursday – just two days after UEFA’s Nations League matches are played.

PSG are already dealing with a cluster of Covid-19 positives in their squad, with a number of players having contracted the virus ahead of the Ligue 1 season

All of these players have already been ruled out of the clashes with Lens and Marseille, while Mbappe’s absence will reduce the options for head coach Thomas Tuchel even further.

Erling Haaland scored a stunning brace as Norway cruised past Northern Ireland 5-1 in their Nations League Group B1 game at Windsor Park. 

In a frantic opening, Mohamed Elyounoussi handed Lars Lagerback's side a second-minute lead before Paddy McNair levelled after six minutes. 

Haaland then fired home a wonderful side-footed half-volley from 20 yards just 67 seconds later before Alexander Sorloth added a third before the midway point of the first half. 

Sorloth grabbed a second shortly after the interval, before another fine strike from Haaland after 58 minutes sealed a comprehensive defeat for Ian Baraclough in his first home game in charge of Northern Ireland.

Norway wasted little time signalling their intentions, taking the lead after just 102 seconds courtesy of Elyounoussi's superb chest control and volley from Stefan Johansen's lofted ball to the back post. 

The hosts roared back only four minutes later when McNair stroked into an empty net from eight yards after Rune Jarstein had pawed away Conor Washington's effort. 

Haaland promptly restored Norway's lead, though, the Borussia Dortmund striker whipping into Bailey Peacock-Farrell's right-hand post from outside the penalty area.

They extended their advantage after 19 minutes when Sorloth steered home Haitam Aleesami's wonderful left-wing cross at the back post.

Norway started the second half like they did the first, Sorloth stroking home from eight yards in the 47th minute after being selflessly teed up by Haaland, who had latched onto a long ball over the top.

Haaland then wrapped up the scoring 11 minutes later, sumptuously curling home from just inside the area after running onto Omar Elabdellaoui's headed pass.

What does it mean? Baraclough back to earth with a bump

Baraclough will have gone into this game with a spring in his step after kicking off his Northern Ireland tenure with a last-gasp draw against Romania on Friday, but the 49-year-old was given a harsh lesson in the realities of international football by a relentless Norway outfit. 

The hosts' defending was exceptionally poor and they looked bereft of ideas in attack. He has got his work cut out ahead of next month's Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Haaland's talent on full display 

The Dortmund man once again showed why he is one of world football's most exciting young talents. He was a constant handful for the home defence and gave Peacock-Farrell no chance with two unerring finishes. 

Cathcart endures a game to forget

The Watford defender was comprehensively outpaced by Haaland in the build-up to Norway's fourth and offered scant resistance for the other goals.

What's next?

Both sides are in Euro 2020 play-off semi-final action on October 8, Northern Ireland travelling to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Norway hosting Serbia.

Scotland avoided embarrassment against a makeshift Czech Republic side but laboured to a 2-1 win in Monday's Group B2 Nations League clash in Olomouc.

The hosts had to work with an entirely different squad and backroom team after returning two positive coronavirus tests in their delegation prior to Friday's 3-1 win over Slovakia.

But Scotland were caught cold by Jakub Pesek – one of nine making a first start for his country – after 11 minutes before Lyndon Dykes levelled with his first shot in international football.

Ryan Christie scored from the penalty spot, just as he did in the 1-1 draw with Israel, but Steve Clarke's ragged visitors survived several scares en route to taking three points.

Scotland were given no time to settle by their enthusiastic opponents and fell behind when Stanislav Tecl's througball was coolly slotted home by Pesek.

David Marshall pushed another Pesek effort behind, which likely would have gone wide anyway, before Scotland finally stepped it up with Ales Mandous making a double stop from Liam Palmer and Christie.

It was Palmer's fine low centre from the right from which Dykes side-footed home to open his Scotland account, but Marshall again had to be wise to deny Adam Janos' daisy-cutting drive.

Christie clinically found the bottom right-hand corner from the spot after Andy Robertson was brought down by Tomas Malinsky six minutes into the second half, with initial contact perhaps having been made outside the area.

The goal did not settle Scotland, though, and Marek Havlik's free-kick struck the outside of the left post before Marshall came to the rescue when Pesek caught Scotland napping again, with Tecl completely fluffing his lines on the follow-up.

Substitute Callum Paterson put a one-on-one wide, but Scotland just about did enough for the win despite Antonin Rusek's looping header shaving the woodwork late on.

What does it mean? Still plenty for Clarke to ponder

Football is a results business and Scotland top the pool with four points from two games, but this was an ugly, disjointed performance against a team cobbled together at the last minute.

Palmer no Czech mate

In a first half of limited threat, Sheffield Wednesday full-back Palmer was Scotland's best weapon and had tested the home goalkeeper before providing a lovely assist for Dykes to equalise.

Hosts do Holoubek proud

Under-18s coach David Holoubek stepped in for regular incumbent Jaroslav Silhavy and a team of such little experience did him proud. At times their defending was unsurprisingly found wanting but the Czech Republic were full of invention and creativity going forward and probably deserved a point.

What's next?

Scotland host Israel in a Euro 2020 play-off semi-final on October 8, while Czech Republic have a friendly with Cyprus a day before.

Italy moved top of Nations League Group A1 with a deserved 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Monday.

Nicolo Barella powered in a header in first-half injury time to secure all three points for Roberto Mancini's men, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday.

The Netherlands, still looking for a replacement for former head coach Ronald Koeman, managed only three shots on target throughout a rather blunt display at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Memphis Depay, heavily linked with a potential move to Barcelona to work under Koeman, was largely isolated and unable to affect the Dutch attack as Italy made it six games unbeaten against the Oranje.

Barella had forced Jasper Cillessen into a good save 27 minutes into a rather quiet first half in which Italy, who handed Manuel Locatelli his debut, lost Nicolo Zaniolo to injury.

The opening goal came in the first minute of injury time, Barella heading in Ciro Immobile's pinpoint cross as Nathan Ake stood and watched.

Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Donny van de Beek an equaliser early in the second half, the goalkeeper acrobatically tipping over a first-time strike from the new Manchester United signing.

Italy threatened on the break but could not extend their lead, although Donnarumma was mostly untested behind an imperious defensive display.

What does it mean? Italy move top of Group A1

The Azzurri have four points from two games, one more than the Netherlands, who began the latest Nations League group stage with a 1-0 defeat of Poland.

Monday's game showed why they need to find a suitable replacement for Koeman sooner rather than later, as Italy continue to show signs of progress under Mancini.

Chiellini a rock

Much of Depay's lack of openings was down to him being marshalled superbly by Giorgio Chiellini, who made eight clearances and four interceptions - the most of any Italy player.

Ake caught cold

The Oranje defence looked susceptible to the counter-attack throughout and one positive run from Barella gifted him a free header as Ake stood idly by. The new Manchester City signing later left the pitch with an apparent hamstring problem.

What's next?

The Netherlands face Mexico in a friendly on October 7, four days before their next Nations League clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Italy host Moldova before heading to Poland on the same matchdays.

Algeria international Baghdad Bounedjah was among the goal scorers as Al Sadd secured a 5-1 away win over Al Sailiya.

Xavi Hernandez’s side came into the Qatar Stars League encounter having silenced Al Kharitiyah 5-1 in their previous tie – with the African also finding the net.

Against the Peregrines inside Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, they continued with their strong start to the new season in the six-goal thriller.

Captain Hassan Al Heidos led by example after seven minutes by beating goalkeeper Amine Lecomte who is on loan from Al-Duhail from close range.

Former Arsenal star Santi Cazorla doubled the lead via a penalty kick on the half hour mark, with the hosts reducing the deficit through Majdi Siddiq with four minutes from half-time.

In the 59th minute, Bounedjah restored the visitors’ two-goal advantage with a cool finish. Remarkably, Al Sailiya had their chances, but they were poor in the final third.

Tae Hee Nam dented Sami Trabelsi’s men ambition of launching a comeback with his 81st minute strike, while substitute Ahmed Sayyar capped the win with a fifth strike.

Bounedjah – who made the 2019 AFC Champions League Best XI was in action from start to finish for Hernandez’s team as well as Senegal’s Kara Mbodji, Algeria’s Nadir Belhadj and Morocco’s Ahmed Hammoudan for Al Sailiya. Guinea-Bissau international goalkeeper Gregory Gomis watched proceedings from the bench.

Thanks to this result, Al Sadd remain as league leaders having accrued two wins from two games, while Sailiya are ninth in the log with one point from same number of matches.

Hernandez and his team will hope to continue their impressive start when they welcome Al Khor to the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on October 22. Before then, they take on Al Ain and Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League.

Tunisia football icon Trabelsi is expected to help his side pick up their first win of the 2020-21 campaign versus Al Kharitiyath on September 12.

Having scored three goals at the 2019 Club World Cup, Bounedjah became the first Algerian to end as top scorer in the competition. Also, he netted the Desert Foxes’ winning goal in the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Asante Kotoko have confirmed their participation in the 2020-21 Caf Champions League, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced.

The news puts to bed three months of uncertainty about potential involvement in continental inter-club football next term.

The Porcupine Warriors were handed Ghana's ticket for the competition in June following the premature termination of the 2019-20 football season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ordinarily, the Premier League (GPL) champions would have won the nod.

"Asante Kotoko SC have confirmed their participation in the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League competition," the GFA announced on its official website on Monday.

"The confirmation is on the back of a letter sent to the club on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 to confirm their engagement in next season’s Caf inter-club competition.

"Kotoko’s confirmation was contained in a letter dated September 7, 2020, signed by CEO Yaw Amponsah and sent to the GFA.

"The club is expected to go through the mandatory Club licensing process as set out in the GFA and Caf Club licensing regulations.

"Engagement and registration for the 2020/2021 Caf inter-club competition was opened on September 1, 2020 and will be closed on October 20, 2020."

It will be a second straight appearance in the Champions League by Kotoko following their involvement last term.

On the last outing, their campaign was ended in the first round by a loss to Tunisian side Etoile Sahel.

The club's participation in the upcoming event had been cast in doubt due to coronavirus conditions, with many expressing safety concerns.

"Such decisions are normally taken by the board of directors, management and technical term," former Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong has told Hello FM.

"Using coach CK Akonnor’s era where we were not active, the management took a bold decision for us to represent Ghana. We even exceeded our target by qualifying for the group stage.

“We seem to have the same situation at the moment so if the leadership assesses the strength of the team and decide to play in Africa, I think it is in the right direction.

“When we play in Africa, it raises the value of the players where some even get better offers for the club to earn something.

“So if the board decides to allow the team to take the opportunity, it is good."

Kotoko are two-time Caf Champions League winners.