England edge Croatia, qualify for semifinals

LONDON, November 18 

England fought back to qualify for the semifinals of the UEFA Nations League as Harry Kane and Jesse Lingard scored late goals in a pulsating 2-1 victory over Croatia, who were relegated from Group A4 after defeat at Wembley on Sunday.

England were themselves facing the drop when Croatia’s Andrej Kramaric scored after 57 minutes but substitute Lingard and Kane netted in the 77th and 85th minutes at a vociferous Wembley to turn the group on its head.

Gareth Southgate’s side, who were knocked out in the semifinals of the World Cup by Croatia in July, had dominated for large periods but fell behind when Kramaric twisted and turned before firing in via a deflection off Eric Dier. Yet Lingard poked home and Kane converted Ben Chilwell’s free-kick to ensure England finished top of a group where all three teams — including Spain who started the day top but finished second — could have qualified. England, who progress to the finals in Portugal in June, finished with seven points, one ahead of Spain and three clear of Croatia, who were relegated to the second tier. — Reuters

Portugal qualify for semis with 0-0 draw in Italy

MILAN: Portugal became the first team to qualify for the Nations League semifinals when they held Italy 0-0 on Saturday, the second time in a year that the hosts have been knocked out of a competition following a goalless draw at the San Siro. Italy, with defender Giorgio Chiellini making his 100th appearance, suffocated Portugal in the first hour with their pressing and created numerous openings with their intricate passing moves. But they ran out of steam in the last half-hour and the European champions held out fairly comfortably. Portugal have seven points from three games in the three-team group, two ahead of Italy who have finished their campaign. Last November, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after being held by Sweden at the same stadium in Milan. reuters