Soccer Monday: Nations League champions (CONCACAF and UEFA) crowned and Scotland’s big comeback
Everything you need to know about all the action this past weekend
With the domestic club season in most of Europe now over, the time has come once again to put the spotlight on national teams.
Two trophies were awarded on Sunday. In Rotterdam, Spain outlasted Croatia on penalty kicks after the teams had played to a scoreless draw to win the UEFA Nations League. Several hours later, and halfway across the world in Las Vegas, the United States blanked Canada to lift the CONCACAF Nations League.
Here’s a recap of this past weekend’s biggest stories:
3. USMNT wins second straight CONCACAF Nations League
Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun scored their first international goals — both assisted by midfielder Gio Reyna — as the U.S. downed Canada 2-0 at Allegiant Stadium for the Americans’ second straight CONCACAF Nations League title.
Richards scored on a header in the 12th minute off a corner kick. Balogun, who debuted in Thursday’s 3-0 win over Mexico after choosing to play the U.S. over England, doubled the lead in the 34th minute.
In all, Reyna was involved in four of the U.S.’s five goals at this edition of the Nations League recording a goal and three assists. The performance comes just two days after U.S. Soccer rehired Gregg Berhalter to coach the team.
Berhalter had given Reyna limited playing time at the World Cup last fall. As a result, Reyna’s parents tried to bring Berhalter down by notifying U.S. Soccer of a decades-old allegation that he’d kicked his then-girlfriend (and now-wife) while the two were in college.
2. Spain lifts first international trophy since 2012
Spain’s 11-year trophy drought came to an end after La Roja outlasted Croatia 5-4 on penalty kicks in the UEFA Nations League final at De Kuip Stadium.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon made two saves in the shootout after the tense match concluded 0-0 following extra time. The goalie used his feet to save a penalty by Lovro Majer with the shootout level at 3-3, then dived to deny Bruno Petkovic.
Dani Carvajal converted his kick to seal the win and thwart Croatia’s dreams of winning their first-ever international trophy.
Spain’s previous titles came in the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 1964, 2008 and 2012. Croatia, on the other hand, finished second at the 2018 World Cup and third at the World Cup held in Qatar last fall.
1. Scotland score two late goals to beat Norway
The weekend was also punctuated by a series of European Championship qualifying games.
In what turned out to be a thrilling contest, Scotland remained undefeated in Group A after coming from behind on Saturday in Oslo to beat Norway. Erling Haaland tallied in the 61st minute on a penalty kick to give his side the lead.
The Manchester City striker was later substituted, only for Scotland to score twice in the span of three minutes. Lyndon Dykes scored in the 87th minute before teeing up Kenny McLean two minutes later for the 2-1 win.
In other news: Inter Miami could be adding two more players to bolster its lineup once Lionel Messi officially signs with the MLS side. Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba could end up in Florida later this summer. … Alaves was promoted to La Liga on Saturday following a 1-0 win against Levante. Asier Villalibre’s goal on a penalty kick in the 129th minute sent Alaves back into the Spanish top flight in dramatic style after just one season in the second division. The teams had played to a scoreless draw in the opening leg. … Brazil made history on Saturday in Barcelona when players wore an all-black jersey for the first time in the team’s 109-year history during a friendly against Guinea in Barcelona as part of the team’s anti-racism campaign. Brazil, who played the first half in black before reverting to its traditional canary yellow shirts, won the game 4-1.