Spain Reach Nations League Quarter-Finals as International Window Closes
Spain have become the second team to reach the Nations League quarter-finals, beating Croatia 2-1 in Rijeka on the final day of an extended international window.
Mikel Merino scored both goals in the comeback win. On the same evening, Harry Kane scored twice as England beat Czechia 3-0 at Wembley.
England Finish Strongly
England's window ended far better than it began. Thomas Tuchel's side lost 3-2 at home to Spain on the opening matchday, leading 2-1 through Anthony Gordon and Kane before Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal turned it around.
They responded with a 2-0 win in Prague, then produced the performance of the campaign in Croatia, winning 7-0 in Rijeka. Kane and Bukayo Saka both scored twice, with Gordon, Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers adding the rest, and Bellingham also recording three assists. That match was played behind closed doors as a punishment for crowd disturbances, with only around 5,000 children admitted.
Tuesday's win over Czechia completed nine points from four matches, leaving England second in Group A3 behind Spain, who have maintained a perfect record and extended their unbeaten run beyond 40 matches.
Klopp Finds a First Win, Then Stalls
Jurgen Klopp's start as Germany coach has been mixed. He drew 1-1 away to Xavi Hernandez's Netherlands in his first competitive match, then lost 1-0 at home to Greece in Augsburg.
He got his first win on 1 October, a 2-0 victory over Serbia in Munich with Florian Wirtz scoring, before a goalless draw away to Greece on Sunday halted the momentum. Germany had 16 attempts in Thessaloniki without finding a way through.
Germany sit third in Group A2 on five points, three behind both the Netherlands and Greece, who are level on eight. Greece remain unbeaten.
Zidane and Mancini
Zinedine Zidane's France recovered from a goal down to beat Belgium 4-1 in Monday's standout result, following a 1-0 win in Turkey through Kylian Mbappe earlier in the window.
Roberto Mancini claimed a first home win since returning as Italy manager, beating Turkey 3-1 to move second in Group A1 after an opening 2-0 home defeat to Belgium.
Elsewhere, Portugal beat Norway 2-1, Denmark won 1-0 in Wales, the Netherlands beat Serbia 2-1, Scotland lost 2-1 at home to Slovenia and Switzerland won 3-0 against North Macedonia. The Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Israel, a fixture they had confirmed they would fulfil.
The league phase resumes on 17 November, with the quarter-finals in March 2027 and the finals the following June. Domestic football returns at the weekend, with the Premier League back after a two-week break. Champions League matchday 2 follows on 13 and 14 October.
