Evan Ferguson’s fourth senior international goal handed Republic of Ireland a 1-0 Nations League victory over Finland as Caoimhín Kelleher saved a penalty to see them across the line.
The 20-year-old Brighton striker’s header in the final minute of the first half proved sufficient to add three more points in Group B2 to those his side secured in the reverse fixture in Helsinki last month, but only after Liverpool keeper Kelleher had kept out the substitute Joel Pohjanpalo’s second-half spot-kick.
Ireland’s head coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, has now won two of the five matches for which he has been in charge, but the fact that Ireland have tasted victory just eight times in their last 34 competitive outings. They now play England at Wembley on Sunday in their final Group B2 fixture.
Sandro Tonali tapped in an early goal to hand Italy a 1-0 away win over Belgium that consolidated their top spot in Group A2. Tonali scored his first goal for Italy and could have had another in an impressive performance on the road at the King Baudouin Stadium, although Belgium gave as good as they got in a fast-paced game.
Tonali took full advantage of Giovanni di Lorenzo’s pass after a slip by Belgian defender Maxim De Cuyper in the 11th minute to give Italy an early advantage they never relinquished despite a strong finish by the hosts.
The result moved Italy up to 13 points in the standings, with Belgium out of the running for a quarter-final berth in March.
France also qualified for the quarter-finals out of Group A2 despite a lacklustre goalless draw against Israel for their Stade de France homecoming after a 17-month hiatus.
Back in the northern Paris arena for the first time since June 2023, Les Bleus were unimpressive but still secured at least second place. They are second on 10 points from five games, three behind Italy, who they face in Milan on Sunday with top spot at stake.
Thursday’s game was played in front of scant crowds and heavy security a week after violence in Amsterdam involving visiting Israeli fans. Scuffles briefly erupted in the stands in the first half and the Israeli anthem was booed.
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With captain Kylian Mbappé omitted from the squad and Ousmane Dembélé ruled out with a thigh injury, France were missing their usual firepower and it showed. They lacked creativity and inspiration throughout, with Randal Kolo Muani, who started as a lone forward with Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise on the flanks, struggling to threaten. He had his first chance in the 19th minute, but his header was safely parried away by Daniel Peretz.
France dominated and thought they had the opener in the 77th minute, only for Peretz to keep his side afloat with a save to deny Warren Zaïre-Emery. Second-half substitute Marcus Thuram headed straight into Peretz’s arms and Christopher Nkunku also came close in added time but it was too little, too late for the home side.
Prolific The Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was again among the scorers for Norway in their 4-1 win in Slovenia. In Group C4, the Faroe Islands won 1-0 in Armenia with a 33rd-minute penalty from Viljormur Davidsen to move up to second, despite the home side having 27 shots on goal.
