Zinchenko scores to hand Ukraine shot at promotion

Oleksandr Zinchenko scored for Ukraine as they beat Albania 2-1 to avoid UEFA Nations League relegation and instead give them a chance of promotion.

Our left-back operated in central midfield for his nation who started the night bottom of Group B1 and staring at possible relegation to League C. However they were given a dream start by Alex who netted after five minutes in Tirana when a shot deflected into his path, and he volleyed it low into the bottom corner to register his 10th international goal on his 70th cap.

Five minutes later, Ukraine doubled their advantage when Roman Yaremchuk stooped to head in a ball across the box, and Alex lasted until the 69th minute before being replaced. He watched on from the bench as Nadim Bajrami pulled one back from the penalty spot, but the visitors held on to get the three points.

Those, coupled with Georgia’s loss to the Czech Republic, saw Ukraine jump two places to second in the group, and secure a promotion play-off against Serbia, Scotland, Hungary or Belgium as they look to reach League A in March.

With their place in the quarter-finals already secured, Germany rotated their side for a game against Hungary which ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a 99th-minute penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai. Kai Havertz came on in the 61st minute for the visitors to win his 55th cap.

Jurrien Timber’s Netherlands are also in the knockout stages, and he was an unused sub in their dead rubber against Bosnia and Herzegovina which also ended in a 1-1 draw, while David Raya and Mikel Merino also didn’t see any playing time as Spain beat Switzerland 2-1.

There was worse news for Jakub Kiwior though as Poland suffered relegation from League A following a last-gasp defeat to Scotland. A winner from Andy Robertson in the 93rd minute saw the Scots push the Poles to bottom spot in the group and suffer demotion, with Jakub playing the full match in Warsaw.

Away from European action, Gabriel started and Gabriel Martinelli came on in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Uruguay in World Cup qualifying, the Selecao’s second successive draw in this window.

After a 1-1 draw in Venezuela, Brazil suffered the same fate but managed to salvage a point after Gerson cancelled out Federico Valverde’s opener for the visitors. Gabi played all 90 minutes for the sixth successive game for his country, while clubmate Gabriel Martinelli came on just before the hour mark to earn cap number 16.

The point means Brazil stay fifth in the standings, with the top six teams automatically reaching the finals.

our internationals IN ACTION:

Thursday, November 14
France 0-0 Israel
Nations League | Saliba was an unused sub

Belgium 0-1 Italy
Nations League | Trossard played 90 minutes

Venezuela 1-1 Brazil
World Cup qualifier | Gabriel played 90 minutes, Martinelli came on in the 82nd minute

Friday, November 15
Portugal 5-1 Poland
Nations League | Kiwior played 90 minutes, assisted

Denmark 1-2 Spain
Nations League | Raya played 90 minutes, Merino played 80

Saturday, November 16
Georgia 1-1 Ukraine
Nations League | Zinchenko was an unused sub

Netherlands 4-0 Hungary
Nations League | Timber played 68 minutes

Germany 7-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Nations League | Havertz played 90 minutes, scored and assisted

Sunday, November 17
Italy 1-3 France
Nations League | Saliba played 90 minutes

Israel 1-0 Belgium
Nations League | Trossard subbed on 37 minutes

Monday, November 18
Poland 1-2 Scotland
Nations League | Kiwior played 90 minutes

Spain 2-1 Switzerland
Nations League | Raya and Merino were unused subs

Tuesday, November 19
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Netherlands
Nations League | Timber was an unused sub

Hungary 1-1 Germany
Nations League | Havertz came on in 61st minute

Albania 1-2 Ukraine
Nations League | Zinchenko played 69 minutes, scored

Wednesday, November 20
Brazil 1-1 Uruguay
World Cup qualifier | Gabriel played 90 minutes, Martinelli came on in 58th minute