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| Ilkay Gündogan of Germany, Harry Kane of England during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between Germany and England at Allianz Arena on June 7, 2022 in Munich, Germany. |
Harry Kane’s late
penalty earned England a 1-1 draw in Germany in their Nations League game on
Tuesday, when Italy and Turkey registered wins.
Kane slotted the
equalizer from the spot in the 88th minute, though there was controversy over
referee Carlos del Cerro Grande’s decision to award it after a VAR check as
Kane looked to be offside before going down in a tangle with Germany defender
Nico Schlotterbeck.
It had looked like
Jonas Hofmann’s 51st-minute goal would give Germany a measure of consolation
for losing to England at the European Championship last year and condemn Gareth
Southgate’s team to its second consecutive loss after its 1-0 defeat to Hungary
on Saturday.
But Kane, who
missed several good chances, stayed cool to convert the best chance late on.
Germany coach Hansi
Flick made seven changes to the team that drew in Italy 1-1 on Saturday, while
Southgate made four to the side that lost in Hungary.
Both teams’ players
knelt on one knee before kickoff in a stand against racism. The Munich stadium
was also illuminated in rainbow colours as a sign against homophobia.
Germany made the
better start, forcing two corners early on. Kyle Walker made a potentially
goal-saving clearance off the line for England.
England midfielder
Kalvin Phillips had to go off early after a clash with Schlotterbeck.
Schlotterbeck’s 18-year-old Borussia Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham came on
for his 14th appearance in Phillips’ place.
Hofmann had a goal
ruled for offside after a lengthy VAR check, then Kane fired over an empty goal
from close range after a corner at the other end.
The 18-year-old Jamal Musiala, who was playing an outstanding game, fired a good opportunity at goalkeeper Jordan Pickford toward the end of the first half. There was still time before the break for Bukayo Saka to test Manuel Neuer, then shoot another chance just wide.
Germany failed to
make more of further chances after Hofmann made the breakthrough.
Italy wins
Lorenzo Pellegrini
continued his impressive scoring form to help Italy beat Hungary 2-1 in Cesena.
Pellegrini finished
off a well-worked team move on the stroke of halftime when Matteo Politano cut
into the right side of the area and put in a low cross for the Roma midfielder
to slot in at the far post.
It was Pellegrini’s
second goal in as many matches for Italy, having also scored against Germany.
Pellegrini scored nine times for Roma in Serie A last season and five times in
the Europa Conference League to help his team win the trophy.
Nicolò Barella had
scored Italy’s opener in the 30th minute. Leonardo Spinazzola controlled a long
ball over the top and rolled it across the edge of the area for Barella to
place a precise shot into the top left corner.
Italy was playing
with renewed enthusiasm and had several chances to score a third. But the
Azzurri allowed Hungary back into the game in the 61st minute when Gianluca
Mancini turned a cross from substitute Attila Fiola into his own net.
It was nevertheless
a convincing performance from Roberto Mancini’s team which is going through a
rebuilding process again. European champion Italy did not qualify for a second
consecutive World Cup and lost 3-0 to Argentina in the Finalissima last week.
Also, Turkey romped
to a 6-0 win in Lithuania and Luxembourg enjoyed a 1-0 win in the Faeroe
Islands.
Finland defeated
Montenegro 2-0 and a goal from Smail Prevljak was enough for Bosnia-Herzegovina
to defeat Romania 1-0.
Australia moves
into World Cup playoff v Peru
DOHA, Qatar A late deflected goal from Ajdin Hrustic secured a 2-1 win for Australia in an Asian playoff Tuesday over the United Arab Emirates and sets up an intercontinental showdown with Peru for a spot at the World Cup in Qatar. The Australians are a win away from a fifth consecutive World Cup appearance after ending the UAE’s bid for a return to soccer’s marquee tournament for first time since 1990.
Jackson Irvine steered in Martin Boyle’s strong run and pinpoint pass from the right to open the scoring for Australia in the 53rd minute but the UAE hit back minutes later through Caio Canedo to level playoff. Hrustic’s left-footed volley deflected off a defender before beating the goalkeeper minutes before the final whistle.
The Socceroos have a six-day break before the playoff against Peru, which finished fifth in South American qualifying, for a place alongside France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D at the World Cup starting in November.