Nations League: Italy ease past 10-man Poland to extend unbeaten run

Italy extended their unbeaten run to 21 matches and moved top of Nations League Group A1 heading into the final matchday as a Jorginho penalty and Domenico Berardi’s late goal sealed a 2-0 win over 10-man Poland on Sunday.

🇮🇹 Italy are unbeaten in 20 international fixtures in all competitions.

🏆 Their last defeat came against Portugal in the Nations League, who eventually went on to win the trophy.

🤯 Some run they’re having.#ITAPOL pic.twitter.com/StkEDBLmI3

— Sporting Index (@sportingindex) November 15, 2020

Unbeaten in 21 games 🚧🥳#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro #NationsLeague #ITAPOL pic.twitter.com/InqkKeEuM6

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) November 15, 2020

Jorginho’s 27th-minute spot-kick proved crucial, with the penalty awarded for Grzegorz Krychowiak hauling down Andrea Belotti, whose earlier venture into an offside position had cancelled out Lorenzo Insigne’s would-be opener. 

#Azzurri 🇮🇹

⏱️ 27'
We all knew that was coming 😏#Jorginho steps up to take the penalty and strokes home ⚽

🇮🇹 #ITAPOL 🇵🇱 1-0#VivoAzzurro #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/00IPUClsti

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) November 15, 2020

#ITAPOL⁩⁩
Italy 1-0 Poland

Goaaaaaaaaaaal ⚽pic.twitter.com/LkmhBIwDOR

— Goals (@BGoals24) November 15, 2020

Though Belotti and Nicolo Barella squandered chances to add to Italy’s lead, Poland’s comeback hopes all but ended when Jacek Goralski received a second yellow card. 

#Azzurri 🇮🇹

⏱️ 77'
Goralski is shown his second yellow for a second foul on #Belotti. Poland are down to ten men 🟥

🇮🇹 #ITAPOL 🇵🇱 1-0#VivoAzzurro #NationsLeague

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) November 15, 2020

Italy made their numerical advantage count grab a deserved second in the second half after Insigne set up Berardi to thump in his second international goal.

#Azzurri 🇮🇹

⏱️ 83'
GET IN! A beautiful pass from #Insigne and a beautiful fininsh from #Berardi! 💥🤩

🇮🇹 #ITAPOL 🇵🇱 2-0#VivoAzzurro #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/yQ6RzILgtQ

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) November 15, 2020

#ITAPOL⁩⁩
Italy 2-0 Poland

Goaaaaaaaaaaal ⚽
pic.twitter.com/egsjq72q6U

— Goals (@BGoals24) November 15, 2020

#Azzurri 🇮🇹

⏹️ FULL TIME
A brilliant performance, three points and back on top of our #NationsLeague group 💪

🇮🇹 #ITAPOL 🇵🇱 2-0#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/TQg0kjG4Dx

— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@azzurri) November 15, 2020

Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice in a comfortable victory 3-1 for the Netherlands against Bosnia-Herzegovina in their Nations League group match.

YESS 🔥🦁 Happy to contribute with two goals, very happy with the win! 💪🏾🙌🏾 #NEDBOS 🇳🇱🇧🇦 pic.twitter.com/G5AGreWPz7

— Gini Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) November 15, 2020

FT in Amsterdam.

Netherlands 3-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Strong performance from the Dutch who go top of Group A1.#NEDBOS | #NationsLeague | #VMSport pic.twitter.com/83zFqOGH4t

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 15, 2020

It was just their second victory in five Nations League matches.

On Wednesday, Italy travel to Bosnia and the Netherlands are in Poland in the final group games, with the side finishing top of the group qualifying for the Nations League finals.

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE RESULTS SUNDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2020

Slovakia 1 – 0 Scotland

Netherlands 3 – 1 Bos-Herze

Georgia 1 – 2 Armenia

Albania 3 – 1 Kazakhstan

Belarus 2 – 0 Lithuania

Turkey 3 – 2 Russia

Bulgaria 1 – 2 Finland

Wales 1 – 0 R. of Ireland

Italy 2 – 0 Poland

Moldova 0 – 2 Greece

Slovenia 2 – 1 Kosovo

Belgium 2 – 0 England