Uefa Nations League

England remain winless after Italy stalemate, Hungary hold Germany

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Harry Kane of England is challenged by Federico Dimarco of Italy during the UEFA Nations League - League A Group 3 match
  • Post published:June 11, 2022

England remain winless three games into their Nations League campaign after a 0-0 draw against Italy on Saturday, while Germany were held to a 1-1 draw bu Hunagry.

Mancini named an experimental line-up with only two survivors from the 11 that started the Euro final.

Southgate also took the opportunity to rotate the side that started a 1-1 draw in Germany on Tuesday.

Harry Kane was left on the bench as Tammy Abraham was given the chance to shine against the country where he plays his club football for Roma, among six changes.

When the sides last met, England struck within the first two minutes and nearly got off to a flying start again when Mason Mount crashed a shot off the bar from Raheem Sterling’s perfectly-weighted pass.

After a slow start, the inexperienced Italians found their feet and had the better of the chances before the break.

Aaron Ramsdale spread himself to produce a stunning save on just his second England start to deny Sandro Tonali a first international goal.

The Arsenal goalkeeper then tipped over Manuel Locatelli’s deflected effort with the last action of the first half.

England upped the tempo after the break and should have claimed three points to kick-start their Nations League campaign when Sterling somehow spooned over Reece James’ cross from point-blank range.

Sterling also fired into the arms of Gianluigi Donnarumma before Southgate unloaded his bench with the introduction of Kane, Jarrod Bowen and Bukayo Saka.

Kane had one opportunity to further close on Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals but blazed over as both sides had to settle for a point.

In the other game of the evening Germany had to settle for a 1-1 draw with brave Hungary who deserved to share the spoils in a frantic Nations League Group A3 tie in Budapest on Saturday.

Early in a pulsating first half the Puskas Arena erupted with ear-splitting noise when wing-back Nagy blasted home from close range after Manuel Neuer had palmed out a Roland Sallai header.

But the home crowd’s delight lasted just three minutes until Hofmann pounced on a precision through ball by David Raum, rounded Peter Gulacsi and finished into an empty net for the equaliser.

Slick Germany posed the greater danger though with Chelsea’s Kai Havertz steering a header from Raum wide before the impressive 1899 Hoffenheim winger sailed a curler round Gulacsi’s right post.

Hungary had pulled off a shock 1-0 home win over England a week ago and spurred on by their raucous fans they bustled with endeavour, with a drive from busy winger Attila Fiola forcing a reflex save from Neuer just before the break.

With no let-up in tempo in the second half Germany gradually upped the pressure and Hofmann should have scored his second with a quarter hour to go.

The pacy Borussia Mönchengladbach winger found himself clear on goal but underhit his side-pass to Timo Werner allowing Willi Orban to clear.

The Magyars squandered their own gilt-edged chance soon after when substitute Martin Adam, well-placed in the area, headed a Dominik Szoboszlai cross straight at Neuer.

Another home sub Daniel Gazdag then warmed Neuer’s gloves with a rasping effort from the edge of the box ten minutes from the end.

After three draws so far Germany will play their final match of the June international break at home against Italy on Tuesday.

The same day League A debutants Hungary, now on four points, visit England in Wolverhampton before the group campaign concludes in September.

Memphis Depay missed a last-minute penalty as the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Poland in the Nations League on Saturday in a game where the hosts trailed 2-0 at one stage.

Poland defender Matty Cash was penalised for handball as the clock hit 90 minutes.

However, Depay blasted his penalty high and wide.

The Dutch went into Saturday’s match in Rotterdam with a 100% record after a 4-1 win over Belgium and a late 2-1 victory against Wales.

Poland had beaten Wales 2-1 but suffered a 6-1 rout at the hands of Belgium.

After soaking up early pressure, the Poles opened the scoring after 18 minutes on Saturday.

Nicola Zalewski crossed from right where Aston Villa full-back Cash was on hand to slot the ball past Mark Flekken in the Dutch goal.

Five minutes into the second period, Poland were 2-0 ahead.

Krzysztof Piatek played a fine ball over the top to allow Przemyslaw Frankowski to break free of the Dutch offside trap.

He unselfishly squared the ball for Piotr Zielinski to tap in with the goal standing after a VAR review.

However, the Dutch roared back with two goals in three minutes with Davy Klaassen scoring from close range and Denzel Dumfries equalising from a Depay pass.

After Depay fluffed his penalty chance, he had the opportunity to quickly make amends but goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski pulled off a sensational stoppage-time save.