June 7th to 20th, 2021 (Nations League Finals)

June 7th to 20th, 2021 (Nations League Finals)

Europe

The Czech Republic and Netherlands fought in a shootout between Patrick Schick and Memphis Depay. The former had two goals to one by halftime, set up twice from the left wing to pocket them both. However, the second half belonged to Schick and the Czechs as Schick scored three more goals, along with substitute Tomáš Pekhart.

 

The second semi-final went the same path as the first, with the away side in Poland having a 2-1 lead over the Germans at halftime. Jakub Kamiński and Robert Lewandowski both scored for the visitors, before a perfect through ball found. İlkay Gündoğan free to lead onto the ball. After the break, Leroy Sané headed home Timo Werner’s initial shot and save. Germany had all the play from halftime, only to not capitalise.

 

The penalties went as planned, until Toni Kroos missed Germany’s third penalty. Lewandowski then had a chance to win the match with the Polish fifth penalty kick; Manuel Neuer picked the right way and saved it. It took until the seventh penalty, where Matthias Ginter had his penalty saved. Maciej Rybus then scored the winning penalty, sending the Polish to the final.

 

Germany made two changes for the third-place match; the Dutch kept the same line up. Once again, the match went to penalties. Initially, Sané opened the scoring in the 56th minute for Germany. Depay, however, replied two minutes later. The Dutch had the upper hand throughout the rest of the match but could not find that finishing blow. The Netherlands, from the spot, made no mistake out of their four shots. Jamal Musiala, having played most of the match with an injury, hit the crossbar. Gündoğan then tried a chip shot, only to chip it over the bar, allowing the Dutch to take third place.

 

The Czechs made two changes for the final, while Poland kept the same starting eleven. This match was a tighter affair, with only the Czechs looking the more likely to score. Again, the match drew out the full 120 minutes, before penalties ensued without a goal scored. The first penalties were missed; Antonin Barák first for the home side, followed by Karol Linetty. The next series of penalties were solidified, until Pekhart missed to the right of goal. That left Lewandowski once again to take the Polish to the cup. Unfortunately, he also missed to the right. For Poland’s sixth, needing to score, Bartosz Bereszynski chipped the ball over the bar, and the Czech Republic became Nations League champions for the second time.