August 9 to September 6, 2020 (Inter-Nations League)

The following article provides an oversight for matches and tournaments taking place in 2020.

August 9 to September 6, 2020 (Inter-Nations League)

 

The Inter-Nations League reached its zenith this month.

 

Costa Rica came from last place in the group to win their three last home games and reach second place in Group A. Chile also won two of their last three games and reached the top of the group. South Korea tried valiantly to win their final match, only to draw against Chile, in their fifth draw out of eight. Their only loss game in a 4-1 drubbing against Costa Rica. The Czechs will rue their disappointing home results; they ended in fourth place.

 

 

	Group A	Pl	W	D	L	Pts	GD
1	Chile	8	3	4	1	13	+3
2	Costa Rica	8	3	3	2	12	+3
3	South Korea	8	2	5	1	11	-1
4	Czech Republic	8	2	3	3	9	+1
5	Egypt	8	1	3	4	6	-6

 

Japan held onto a top two spot in Group B, while Brazil blitzed the others with eight wins and two draws.

 

	Group B	Pl	W	D	L	Pts	GD
1	Brazil	10	8	2	0	26	+16
2	Japan	10	5	3	2	18	+6
3	Ghana	10	4	1	5	13	-2
4	Netherlands	10	4	0	6	12	-1
5	Jamaica	10	1	5	4	8	-5
6	New Zealand	10	1	3	6	6	-14

 

 

Colombia and Mexico sought to catch the Ivoirians and English in the tightest of groups, where two points separated the top four.

 

Colombia managed to wrestle second place from England thanks to a better goal difference; Mexico, though, could not overcome Colombia in their final match, which the Central Americans won 2-0 in a last gasp effort over the lengthy campaign.

 

	Group C	Pl	W	D	L	Pts	GD
1	Côte d’Ivoire	10	6	2	2	20	+9
2	Colombia	10	6	1	3	19	+14
3	England	10	6	1	3	19	+8
4	Mexico	10	6	0	4	18	+13
5	Fiji	10	3	2	5	11	-16
6	Pakistan	10	0	0	10	0	-28

 

Cameroon dropped to fourth as Ecuador claimed second place, three points behind Germany. That 2-1 win over the USA helped Ecuador reach the Quarter Finals.

 

	Group D	Pl	W	D	L	Pts	GD
1	Germany	10	7	2	1	23	+13
2	Ecuador	10	6	2	2	20	+7
3	USA	10	5	1	4	16	+13
4	Cameroon	10	5	1	4	16	+10
5	Bahrain	10	2	1	7	7	-19
6	Vanuatu	10	1	1	8	4	-24

 

Quarter Finals

Chile hosted Japan in the first of the Quarter Finals. The match petered out to a scoreless draw, where Chile looked more dangerous in attack, only to have three of their shots fly straight at the Japanese goalkeeper. Japan failed to get a shot on target as they sat back and effectively played for penalties. The Chileans did the same in extra time, only having one shot fly at goal. In penalties, Japan took the upper hand with their penalties taken down the middle, and then after Nicolás Castillo’s penalty flew over the bar, it seemed Japan would take the match. Takehiro Tomiyasu then missed, giving Chile a slim sliver of hope, only for Alexis Sánchez’s spot kick to be saved by the goalkeeper, and Japan advanced to the Semi Finals.

 

Ecuador flew to Côte d’Ivoire in the second Quarter Final, and took the early lead when the Ivoirians gave away a free kick. Jhegson Méndez stepped up and scored after being passed the ball off the free kick. Côte d’Ivoire, however, fought back and took the lead in the 84th minute, after Maxwel Cornet scored a brilliant solo effort and Sebastien Haller headed off the underside of the crossbar from a corner. Thinking they had won, the hosts took a back seat, allowing Ecuador to draw level in additional time via youngster Leonardo Campana. Carlos Gruezo then scored in the second half of extra time, while goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez made three crucial saves in that extra thirty minutes to gift a Semi Final berth.

 

Brazil scored twice in the first half against Costa Rica to progress. Neymar’s shot in the fourth minute hit the post before Gabriel Jesus backed up the shot and slotted home the opener. Fred then powered his way to a goal in the 44th minute as he used his body strength to win the ball in the box before snagging the goal. From there, Brazil backed off, allowing their two-goal lead to be the catalyst for the win.

 

Germany thought they had the advantage when they hosted Colombia, where Leroy Sané scored in similar fashion to Gabriel Jesus, pocketing a goal off the post rebound. Colombia had other ideas and turned the game around, scoring via Juan Cuadrado and Wilmar Barrios before the break. Germany tried in vain to wrestle back a goal, only for Colombia’s defence and goalkeeper to hold firm and advance to the Semi Finals.

 

Semi Finals

Japan took on Ecuador in the first Semi Final, with Ecuador taking the early lead via an Enner Valencia header off a corner. Japan’s Wataru Endo scored with his left foot nine minutes later. From there, Japan gained the upper hand, that culminated in a penalty from Takumi Minamino straight after the break. The penalty came from an Endo crossed that thudded straight into the arm of an Ecuadorian defender. Japan consolidated their defensive structure and held on for the win and the right to host the Final.

 

Brazil then played against Colombia for the other place in the Final, with the hosts dominating much of the field. In the 33rd minute, Everton managed a long shot that curled away from the Colombian goalkeeper, and into the back of the net. From there, Brazil fought to keep their lead, and did so thanks to the back four holding firm.

 

Final

Japan surprised the Brazilians early in the Final as Daichi Kamada chipped the Brazilian goalkeeper in the fifth minute, taking the early lead. Brazil equalised seven minutes later after a quick free kick caught the Japanese unawares, and Casemiro shot from long range to ruffle the back of the net. However, Japan had other ideas. Yuto Nagatomo got on the end of a cutback pass, and powered into the net, giving the hosts the lead. It seemed the long trip to Japan gave the Brazilians dead legs, leading to a third Japan goal via yet another Takumi Minamino penalty. Brazilian substitute Gabriel Barbosa did peg back a goal in additional time, but it was Japan who came out winners 3-2, gaining status as the first Inter-Nations League champions.