UEFA Nations League – League D
I don’t think anyone predicted how big of a boon the UEFA Nations League would actually provide to European football. What some thought was going to be another glorified international friendly has turned out to be a fantastic competition that is now seeing its group stage games coming to an end.
All of the groups in the fourth tier of the European competition saw little changes happen at the top as the leading countries saw themselves establish against the rest of the competition. With these results, there’s no question that these nations will definitely try now focus on playing tougher competition in League C.
Until that happens again, join SBOBET as we look at the games that just happened in League D.
Group 1
Georgia were on control of their group from the very start and didn’t let go of the top spot until the final day. Kazakhstan tried to at least spoil the party for the Crusaders, but spectacular goals from Giorgi Merebashvili and Giorgi Chakvetadze secured their final three points for their group stage game. Oralkhan Omirtayev grabbed a consolation goal, at the least.
Meanwhile, Latvia and Andorra both played out a bore draw. Both nations tried to score their goals and at least secure their three points. However, both teams remain as winless in their group as they struggled to find the back of the net.
Highlight of the Group: The Georgia-Kazakhstan game had three fantastic goals to choose from, but I think Omirtayev’s consolation goal is the most impressive of the group’s final games. The way the controlled the football and launched the ball goalwards is sublime.
Key statistics: Georgia showed just how good they were compared to the rest of their contemporaries. They dominated the opposition, forcing the Kazakh keeper to make four saves and the rest of the defence to commit 13 fouls.
Group 2
Belarus boosted their chances of making it out of League D after pulling off a convincing victory against tight rivals Luxembourg. They then only needed one more point against San Marino to progress, which was something they achieved with ease. Goals from Stanislav Dragun and Anton Saroka ensured that they will be climbing to League C.
Meanwhile, Luxembourg continued their disappointing streak with a draw against a team they have beaten before in Moldova. Bodies were flailing as Moldova scrapped for a goal, which was acquired from a 58th-minute Radu Ginsari spot-kick. It took some time for Luxembourg to recover, but Stefano Bensi managed a fantastic equaliser in the 70th minute.
Highlight of the Group: Bensi’s leveller has got be the most impressive out of the matches played in this group. Not only was the angle getting narrower with the oncoming defender, but the Moldovan stopper was also there to make his life tough. The fact that he converted the tough shot is worth praises.
Key statistics: Belarus just showed San Marino the amount of improvement they have to make if they ever wish of getting out of League D. They finished the game with 71% possession, 19 shot attempts with seven of those on target, converted 89% of their 771 pass attempts, and forced the San Marino stopper to make seven saves.
Group 3
This group once had the hardest UEFA Nations League 2018 odds to call in League D as there wasn’t any clear leader coming out of the nations. However, Kosovo soon made it clear that they were the top dogs of the group. Arber Zeneli’s hat-trick and Amir Rrahmani’s header ensured that Azerbaijan were nowhere close to the top spot at the end of it all.
Meanwhile, Malta failed to win a single one of their group stage game as they split the honours with the visiting Faroe Islands. Rene Joensen headed in the first goal for the visitors, but Juan Corbolan managed to get the equaliser only a minute later.
Highlight of the Group: Zeneli garnered plenty of UEFA Nations League 2018 highlights with his brilliant attacking play on the open pitch. His third goal was especially brilliant; the way the ball curved towards the net was mesmerising.
Key statistics: While the Faroe Islands had more time with the football, their keeper was forced to make more saves than his Maltese counterpart.
Group 4
This group saw two nations in Macedonia and Armenia vie for the top spot. Macedonia managed to stand on top of the group after winning just enough games to get through. Enis Bardhi, Ilija Nesteorovski, and Aleksandar Trajkovski secured the outstanding 4-0 for Macedonia over Gibraltar.
Meanwhile, Armenia were punching themselves in the head for losing to Macedonia earlier in the campaign. Sargis Adamyan tried to bring joy to the team by scoring first over Liechtenstein. Their hosts wrestled control of the match after terrific strikes from Marcel Buchel and Nicolas Hasler, but Alexander Karapetian ensured that the game ended in a draw.
Highlight of the Group: Bardhi’s first goal for Macedonia was nothing short of brilliant. Not only did he pull off a fantastic finessed shot to beat the stopper and get the first goal, but he also caused his marker to trip on his own foot in the process. That was truly a brilliant goal.
Key statistics: This group saw the most goals in League D. The Group 4 nations scored a total of eight goals, two more than Group 3’s tally of six.
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