Oleksandr Zinchenko scored for Ukraine as they beat Albania 2-1 to avoid UEFA Nations League relegation and instead give them a chance of promotion.
Our left-back operated in central midfield for his nation who started the night bottom of Group B1 and staring at possible relegation to League C. However they were given a dream start by Alex who netted after five minutes in Tirana when a shot deflected into his path, and he volleyed it low into the bottom corner to register his 10th international goal on his 70th cap.
Five minutes later, Ukraine doubled their advantage when Roman Yaremchuk stooped to head in a ball across the box, and Alex lasted until the 69th minute before being replaced. He watched on from the bench as Nadim Bajrami pulled one back from the penalty spot, but the visitors held on to get the three points.
Those, coupled with Georgia’s loss to the Czech Republic, saw Ukraine jump two places to second in the group, and secure a promotion play-off against Serbia, Scotland, Hungary or Belgium as they look to reach League A in March.
With their place in the quarter-finals already secured, Germany rotated their side for a game against Hungary which ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to a 99th-minute penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai. Kai Havertz came on in the 61st minute for the visitors to win his 55th cap.
Jurrien Timber’s Netherlands are also in the knockout stages, and he was an unused sub in their dead rubber against Bosnia and Herzegovina which also ended in a 1-1 draw, while David Raya and Mikel Merino also didn’t see any playing time as Spain beat Switzerland 2-1.
There was worse news for Jakub Kiwior though as Poland suffered relegation from League A following a last-gasp defeat to Scotland. A winner from Andy Robertson in the 93rd minute saw the Scots push the Poles to bottom spot in the group and suffer demotion, with Jakub playing the full match in Warsaw.
Away from European action, Gabriel started and Gabriel Martinelli came on in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay in World Cup qualifying, the Selecao’s second successive draw in this window.
