England staged a superb late comeback to beat Croatia at Wembley to reach the finals of the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Croatia, England's World Cup semi-final conquerors in Moscow in July, looked set to inflict another defeat and relegate Gareth Southgate's side from the elite group when Andrej Kramaric's twisting finish put them ahead via a deflection off Eric Dier after fifty seven minutes. England needed two goals to win the group and reach the semi-final and final stages in Portugal next June and at least inflict a small measure of revenge on Croatia for that World Cup disappointment. And, they responded brilliantly to get the win their performance deserved and secure qualification for the next stage of the tournament as substitute Jesse Lingard scored from almost on the line with twelve minutes left. Seven minutes later the Three Lions were still facing relegation, when Harry Kane slid in Ben Chilwell's free-kick to send England through to the semi-finals at the expense of Spain and relegate Croatia. Gareth Southgate will have feared an old flaw was returning to haunt his side when Kramaric put Croatia ahead just before the hour after seemingly taking an age to twist and turn before beating Jordan Pickford via a deflection. It was rather cruel on England and punishment for failing, as they did in Moscow, to make the most of vast first-half superiority as they created a series of chances but contrived to miss them, with Kane and Raheem Sterling the chief culprits. England could have been forgiven for believing the fates were against them as they trailed to their League A Group Four opponents, who have become something of a bogey side over the years. Instead, they responded with courage and character as the clock ticked down to rescue a place in Portugal. Southgate can take his share of the credit for two attacking substitutions, sending on Lingard and Jadon Sancho with England's backs against the wall, the reward coming in the shape of that decisive late rally.
The Netherlands deservedly beat France in the Nations League to end the world champions' fifteen-game unbeaten run and, as a bonus, to relegate Germany to Europe's second tier. Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum struck from close range after Hugo Lloris parried a Ryan Babel shot. Lloris made a host of top saves to stop a thrashing - but Memphis Depay's dinked penalty in injury time made sure of the win. A Dutch draw in Germany on Monday would see them win the group. That would take Ronald Koeman's side into next June's Nations League finals - at the expense of France, who had only needed a point in Rotterdam to seal top spot. The winners of each group are also guaranteed a Euro 2020 play-off place if they fail to progress from qualification next year. France can still win the group if the Germans, who will be in the Nations League second tier in 2020, beat the Dutch. Elsewhere, Gibraltar's Euro 2020 dream is almost certainly over after a six-two hammering by Armenia. The minnows led through teenager Tjay de Barr but Yura Movsisyan scored four times for the visitors. Macedonia remain top of that group - and are ninety minutes away from the play-offs - thanks to a two-nil win in Liechstenstein. Wales' promotion bid is over after a two-one defeat by Denmark - who win the group and a place in the 2020 top flight. That result relegates the Republic of Ireland. San Marino are the only team in the bottom tier yet to pick up a point, but luckily for them relegation is impossible. Portugal's goalless draw in Italy on Saturday means they are guaranteed a place in the last four, with Poland relegated to the second tier. Belgium will reach the finals if they do not lose against Switzerland, who are three points below them. Ukraine, Bosnia and Denmark have already guaranteed promotion to the top division, while Russia are in pole position to take the other slot.
A referee has been suspended for three weeks for deciding a Women's Super League kick-off with a game of rocks, paper, scissors instead of a coin toss. David McNamara made the error before Sheikh Yer Man City's home game against Reading on 26 October after leaving his coin in the dressing room. The Football Association said that he had 'accepted a charge of "not acting in the best interests of the game."' A coin toss to decide kick-offs is a requirement under the laws of the game. In this case, it involved England and Sheikh Yer Man City skipper Steph Houghton and Reading captain Kirsty Pearce, before the teams shared a one-one draw. FA women's refereeing manager Joanna Stimpson told The Times that the McNamara's mistake was 'a moment of madness.' She added: 'The referee forgot his coin and in that moment, in a TV game, he was really pushed for time. He should have been more prepared, he should have had a coin. It was disappointing, it's not appropriate, it's very unprofessional.' McNamara's ban will last from 26 November to 16 December. An FA spokesperson said: 'The FA can confirm that referee David McNamara has been suspended for twenty one days, starting from Monday 26 November, after accepting a charge of "not acting in the best interests of the game." This follows an incident in the FA WSL match between Manchester City and Reading on Friday 26 October when he failed to determine which team would kick off the match by the toss of a coin, as required by the Laws of the Game.'
