Timo Werner scored but Germany were held by Spain, while Wales beat Finland and Republic of Ireland grabbed a late draw.
Nations League results
Timo Werner looked sharp and scored with a tidy finish for Germany, who were denied all three points against Spain after a dramatic late equaliser deep into stoppage time.
Werner's 50th-minute strike looked to be enough to give Germany a winning start, but Jose Gaya popped up to prod in a late, late leveller in the 95th minute to bag a draw for the visitors.
Duffy rescues a point for Republic of Ireland
Captain Shane Duffy left it late to ensure Stephen Kenny’s big night did not end in defeat as the Republic of Ireland fought back to secure a 1-1 Nations League draw in Bulgaria.
Kenny’s first game in charge looked destined to end in a disappointing defeat until central defender Duffy, who this week sealed a loan move to Celtic from Brighton, headed home his fourth international goal in the third minute of stoppage time in Sofia.
In the process, he cancelled out Bozhidar Kraev’s 56th-minute opener at the Vail Levski Stadium, and will have been relieved to do so having had to take a share of the blame for it.
It was no more than Ireland deserved on a night when a new-look side promised much but looked set to come up short as they began their preparations for next month’s Euro 2020 play-off in Slovakia.
Bulgaria 1-1 Republic of Ireland Opta stats
- Bulgaria remain unbeaten at home to the Republic of Ireland in all competitions, winning three and drawing two of their five meetings.
- Republic of Ireland have lost just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions (W5 D7), losing 2-0 away at Switzerland in October 2019.
- Republic of Ireland have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven games in all competitions, after registering five shut-outs in their six games before that.
- Bulgaria attacker Bozhidar Kraev has scored more UEFA Nations League goals (3) than any other player for Bulgaria.
- On as a sub, Shane Long made his first appearance for the Republic of Ireland in 688 days, since a UEFA Nations League clash with Wales on October 16th, 2018.
- All four of Shane Duffy’s goals for the Republic of Ireland have been headers.
Moore the merrier for Wales
Wales opened their Nations League campaign with a 1-0 win against fellow Euro 2020 qualifiers Finland in Helsinki.
Kieffer Moore struck 10 minutes from time – his third international goal in six games – as he latched on to Daniel James’ inviting cross and rewarded Wales’ superiority at the Olympic Stadium.
The lack of pre-season training for both sets of players was evident and Wales captain Gareth Bale, making his first start since February, lasted only 45 minutes before being withdrawn at half-time.
But Wales called the tune for most of the night and deserved a third successive away win.
Finland 0-1 Wales Opta stats
- Wales picked up their first victory against Finland since September 2002 under Mark Hughes (2-0), having remained winless in their previous four matches against them (D2 L2).
- Wales remain unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions (W5 D2), since a 1-0 defeat to Hungary in a EURO qualifier in June 2019.
- None of Finland’s last 20 games across all competitions have ended in a draw (W12 L8), since a 0-0 stalemate against North Macedonia in March 2018.
- Kieffer Moore has scored in all three of his away appearances for Wales (3 goals).
- Kieffer Moore’s winner for Wales in the 80th minute was the first and only shot on target in this game.
- Finland’s Lukás Hrádecky became the first goalkeeper to have a touch in the opposition penalty area in a UEFA Nations League game (94th minute).
Friday's Nations League preview
Bale feels loved with Wales
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