MAIGNAN THE HERO FOR FRANCE, GIMENEZ WINS CONCACAF NATIONS LEAGUE

It was a brilliant night for various Rossoneri players with their respective national teams. Santiago Gimenez’s Mexico experienced glory, beating Panama 2-1 in the Concacaf Nations League final to win the trophy for the first time in history. As was the case in the semi-finals against Canada, a brace from Jiménez proved decisive. Our striker played 96 minutes before being replaced by Pineda in stoppage time. Meanwhile, a USMNT side containing Pulisic and Musah (both featured for 69 minutes) lost to Canada in the third-place play-off. There were smiles on the faces of Theo and Maignan yesterday evening as France defeated Croatia on penalties. After previously keeping out a Kramarić spot-kick in the first leg, the Rossoneri goalkeeper was decisive again, saving penalties from Baturina and Stanišić to help seal a turnaround and Les Bleus’ spot in the semi-finals.

Leão and João Félix’s Portugal have also progressed to the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League. At the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, the hosts overcame their 1-0 first-leg deficit to beat the Danes 5-2 after extra time (it finished 3-2 after 90 minutes). Rafa featured for 62 minutes before being replaced by Diogo Jota. João, meanwhile, remained on the bench. It was a bitter night for Reijnders’ Netherlands: after the 2-2 first-leg draw in Rotterdam, a spectacular match took place in Valencia: it finished 2-2 after 90 minutes and 3-3 after extra time, with the champions of Europe then emerging victorious on penalties. Tijjani produced a solid performance and featured for 110 minutes before making way for Koopmeiners. A Serbia side containing Pavlović and Jović enjoyed a 2-0 second-leg success over Austria. After returning from suspension, Strahinja played 90 minutes. Luka, meanwhile, came on at half-time and provided an assist for Vlahović to make it 2-0.

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