UEFA Nations League wrap: Italy and France secure quarter-final spots

England seized control of their group, and key promotion and relegation battles unfolded across Europe.

Thursdays matches in brief:

Sandro Tonali's strike sends Italy throughBelgium 0-1 ItalyItaly clinched their place in the quarter-finals with a narrow victory over Belgium in Group A2. Sandro Tonali's first international goal in the 11th minute proved decisive, as the midfielder finished off a slick move involving Nicolo Barella and Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Despite Belgium's spirited second-half push, which saw Wout Faes hit the post and Gianluigi Donnarumma pull off crucial saves, they fell short and were eliminated from the competition.

England dominate in AthensGreece 0-3 EnglandEngland stormed to the top of Group B2 with an emphatic win in Athens. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring early, but Jordan Pickford's heroics kept the visitors ahead as Greece pressed. England doubled their lead in the second half when Jude Bellingham's effort ricocheted off the post and the Greek goalkeeper, Odysseas Vlachodimos, for an own goal. Curtis Jones capped the performance with a stylish back-heel finish, securing a crucial head-to-head advantage over Greece.

France held but progress securedFrance 0-0 IsraelFrance advanced to the quarter-finals despite being held to a goalless draw by a resilient Israel side in Saint-Denis. N'Golo Kante and Randal Kolo Muani were both denied by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, who delivered a stellar performance. Peretz's late save to deny Warren Zaire-Emery ensured Israel claimed their first point in the campaign.

Elsewhere in the Nations League

Kazakhstan 0-2 Austria: Kazakhstan were relegated to League C after Austria's Christoph Baumgartner and Michael Gregoritsch sealed a win with two superb strikes.Republic of Ireland 1-0 Finland: Evan Ferguson's decisive goal in Dublin condemned Finland to the bottom of Group B2.North Macedonia 1-0 Latvia: Nikola Serafimov's strike earned North Macedonia promotion to League B.

Full Results: 

Group A2: Belgium 0-1 Italy, France 0-0 IsraelGroup B2: Greece 0-3 England, Republic of Ireland 1-0 FinlandGroup B3: Kazakhstan 0-2 Austria, Slovenia 1-4 NorwayGroup C4: Armenia 0-1 Faroe Islands, North Macedonia 1-0 Latvia

The Nations League continues to deliver high stakes and memorable moments as the competition progresses.

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