Germany seal quarterfinal spot; Italy, France move closer to last eight

Munich: Germany booked a place in the Nations League quarterfinals on Monday after midfielder Jamie Leweling enjoyed a dream international debut by scoring the winner in a hard-fought 1-0 home success over the Netherlands in Group A3.

The 23-year-old Leweling, one of two Germany debutants, had the ball in the net in the second minute but his effort was ruled offside. He did score in the 64th though, firing into the top corner after the Dutch failed to properly clear a corner.

Germany are top on 10 points from four matches and guaranteed a place in the last eight, with the Dutch five points behind in second ahead of Hungary on goal difference. Bosnia are bottom with one point after losing 2-0 to the Hungarians.

"The first half was exceptionally good," said Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. "After the break they switched things around and we did not defend as well.

"But we fully deserved the win. We now want to win the remaining matches. We want to have continuity when it comes to the results."

The Germans had the visitors on the back foot from the start and apart from Leweling's goal they had more chances to score through Tim Kleindienst and Maximilian Mittelstaedt as Ronald Koeman's team struggled to find a way into the game.

The hosts kept the pressure up after the break and again came close through Serge Gnabry in the 54th before Leweling drilled in the winner.

The Dutch were anonymous for most of the game but almost scored with their first chance when Xavi Simons' shot bounced off the bar in the 77th just minutes before Mittelstaedt saw his own deflected effort sail narrowly wide of the post.

"I am not satisfied by our performance," Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said. "The Germans were the better, faster and physically stronger. They created more chances.

"We lost too many balls in the midfield. We went too far back, that was not the plan. The plan was to put pressure forward on the right side. But it did not happen," he added.

Like Leweling, it was another Germany newcomer, 34-year-old keeper Oliver Baumann, who made an impact when he preserved their lead in the 90th minute, superbly punching a powerful Doneyll Malen shot wide.

Striker Randal Kolo Muani scored a brace as France took a giant step towards the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over hosts Belgium in a League A Group 2 clash in Brussels.

Kolo Muani netted his opener from the penalty spot after a Wout Faes handball, but Lois Openda equalised in first half stoppage time after Belgium captain Youri Tielemans had earlier missed a spot-kick.

Kolo Muani headed in a second just past the hour-mark and France were able to hold on for the victory despite losing midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni to a second yellow card with 14 minutes remaining.

Italy head the group with 10 points from their four games, followed by France on nine. Belgium have four points and Israel zero. The top two teams qualify for the quarterfinals that will be played in March next year.

Italy defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored twice in an energising 4-1 win at home over Israel as Luciano Spalletti's side put one foot in the quarterfinals.

Italy need at least one point from their two remaining group games to guarantee a place in the next round.

The results: Group C1: Azerbaijan 1 lost to Slovakia 3; Estonia lost to Sweden 0-3

Group B1: Georgia lost to Albania 0-1; Ukraine drew with Czech Republic 1-1.

Group A 2: Belgium lost to France 1-2; Italy bt Israel 4-1. 

Group A3: Bosnia and Herzegovina lost to Hungary 0-2; Germany bt Netherlands 1-0.

Group B4: Iceland lost to Turkey 2-4; Wales bt Montenegro 1-0.