Arsenal goalkeeper clean sheet helps country avoid relegation | OneFootball

Arsenal loan goalkeeper Karl Hein kept a clean sheet as Estonia avoided Nations League relegation with a draw against Azerbaijan on Saturday.

Karl Hein of Estonia during the International Friendly, Länderspiel, Nationalmannschaft match at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence. Date: 11th Novem…

Karl Hein was named in the starting lineup for Estonia against Azerbaijan on Saturday, with the team fighting to retain a spot in League C of the Nations League.

Only one team from the four in each League C group are at risk of relegation, and with two games to go both Estonia and Azerbaijan were still in danger.

But with Estonia having already won 3-1 against Azerbaijan at home, a draw in the away game would give them the head-to-head advantage, three points ahead of their opponents with just one game remaining. That or a win would be enough to avoid relegation.

Karl Hein of Estonia during the International Friendly, Länderspiel, Nationalmannschaft match at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence. Picture date: 11…

Hein knew that a clean sheet would ensure his team’s survival in the division, and that’s exactly what he achieved.

The Arsenal goalkeeper made three saves and ultimately proved the difference for his team in a 0-0 draw. The highlights, for want of a better word, are available here.

Azerbaijan’s fate is still unclear, as only the two worst-performing teams across the four groups are automatically relegated. The other two will take part in relegation play-offs, so Azerbaijan could avoid automatic relegation with a good result against group winners Sweden.

As for Estonia, they’re set for another campaign in League C next time around.

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Hein is currently on loan from Arsenal at Real Valladolid, and he’s earned rave review for his performances despite his team’s struggles.

Valladolid sit 19th in the table, but almost every point they’ve earned has been in large part thanks to their loan goalkeeper. His three clean sheets alone earned them a 1-0 win over Espanyol and two 0-0 draws with CD Leganes and Real Sociedad.

Before he returns to club football, Hein and Estonia have one more game away to Slovakia on Tuesday at 19:45 GMT.

Estonia can’t finish any higher or lower than third in their group, but Hein will want to make his 19th consecutive start in competitive games for his country. He’s only missed a few friendlies during that period of well over two years.