The former Dortmund and Munich Ivan Perisic shocked France and led Croatia to a 2-0 (2: 0) success in the quarter-final first leg of the Nations League. First the 36-year-old put on his teammate Ante Budimir (26th minute) to 1-0, the second goal scored Perisic (45.+1) with a remarkable shot from the edge of the box himself.
In front of 35,000 spectators in Split, the Croatians awarded an even earlier lead because France’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan was able to parry the penalty of Hoffenheim professional Andrej Kramaric after a handball.
Spain experiences an eventful game in the quarter-final first leg in Rotterdam
European champion Spain saved a 2-2 (1: 1) against the Netherlands at the last minute. The defending champion caught a perfect start in the Rotterdamer de Kuip against hosts Netherlands. With a remarkable shoot in the 9th minute, Nico Williams scored 1-0 for Spain.
But the hosts, in whom Memphis Depay celebrated his comeback in the 99th international game, made the game after a strong appearance through the goals of Cody Gakpo (28th) and Tijjani Reijnders (46.), who met Frimpong after the Leverkuseners Jeremie. Mikel Merino saved the Spaniards in added time (90.+3). Portugal’s outstanding goalkeeper Diogo Costa was not able to save his team at 0: 1 (0-0) in Copenhagen. The superior Danes, which initially failed by a penalty awarded by Christian Eriksen on the Portuguese keeper, came to success with Rasmus Hojlund (78th). The 2019 National League winner disappointed with the now 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo and showed a weak performance.
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