🇪🇺 France and Sweden stumble; Spain hit seven; Dutch & Germany survive | OneFootball

More UEFA Women’s Nations League action took place on Tuesday and some big teams hit the pitch.

Here is what went down.

Belgium pile big pressure on England

Scorers: De Neve 9′, Wulaert 45+4′, 85′(P); Bronze 38′, Kirby 44′

Euro 2022 winners England will feel heaps of pressure regarding their Olympic qualification as Belgium won a five-goal thriller.

Laura De Neve opened the scoring almost immediately from the start with a perfectly executed free-kick that beat Mary Earps.

However, the Lionesses thought they had turned it all around when two goals in six minutes from Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby put the visitors ahead.

The Chelsea star notably scored her first for the team after 462 days when she blasted home Lauren Hemp’s cutback into the far right corner.

Yet, as Belgium suggested in the early moments and in their slim loss last time out, they wouldn’t go down easily.

Tessa Wullaert eventually secured a brace – the winning goal a cool penalty with minutes remaining.

The result will be a concern for Sarina Wiegman, who also lost defender Alex Greenwood to a serious head injury.

The now third-place Lionesses need second-place Belgium not to take maximum points from their final two matches if they have any chance of a Team Great Britain side playing in next summer’s Olympics.

Putellas on fire as Spain hammer Swiss

Scorers: Pigrim 69′; Oihane 4′, Putellas 11′, 62′ (P), Méndez 56′, Del Castillo 72′, 89′, Oroz 90+3′

Alexia Putellas scored her first goal for the national team in two years as Spain ran rampant in Switzerland.

The floodgates opened early when Oihane Hernandez headed home at the back post before the two-time Ballon d’Or winner easily scored a cutback into the box. Her last competitive goal on the international stage was in 2021.

Meanwhile, current Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati pulled the strings for La Roja but didn’t get on the scoresheet.

María Méndez headed home another after the break before Putelles secured a brace from the penalty spot and assisted Athenea del Castillo for Spain’s fifth.

The Real Madrid forward then secured a brace to pile misery on Switzerland and substitute Maite Oroz later made it seventh heaven.

The one positive for the hosts will be scoring against the World Cup champions via Alayah Pilgrim.

Looking at the result, Spain remain undefeated with four wins from four while Switzerland are still last with zero points in Group A4.

Norway somehow end France’s perfect run

The points were split at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II as a determined Norway side somehow kept France at bay.

The hosts dominated possession (66%) and registered a staggering 22 shots on target compared to two from the visitors.

However, Norway’s determined backline, combined with France’s off-put attacking talent, saw this end in a goalless draw.

Visiting goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen notably had a strong performance, while the likes of Eugenie Le Sommer, Amandine Henry and others fell short of their usual form.

The result is the first stumble for France who sit top of Group A2. Norway picked up just their second point and sit bottom of the table.

Dutch sit top after nervy Scotland win

Scorer: Brugts 60′

One goal was enough for the Dutch to sit top of Group A1 as Scotland fell just short on Tuesday.

The visitors dominated with 66% possession of the ball but failed to make the most of their 12 shots and only three hit the target.

Despite things sitting 0-0, Scotland’s lack of attack couldn’t inspire an upset and they finished the match with just three attempts on goal.

The winning moment arrived via World Cup star Esmee Brugts, who scored a long-range effort in and off the post as the Dutch held on to all three points.

Looking at the standings the Netherlands are first with nine points and Scotland are last with one.

Germany lucky to survive in Iceland

Scorer: Gwinn 64′ (P), Bühl 90+3′

Germany avoided a stumble away from home thanks to Giulia Gwinn’s ice-cold composure.

Nothing could separate the two sides after over an hour up until Telma Ívarsdóttir conceded a penalty.

The Bayern Munich star then stepped up to the spot for the third time in as many games and scored once again.

The hosts couldn’t conjure up the suggestion of a comeback, and a late goal from Klara Bühl ensured the visitors survived a potential scare.

Germany made it three wins from three after losing their opener to Denmark, and have nine points (three off the leaders)

Iceland, meanwhile, are third in Group A3 with three points.

Dramatic four minutes as Austria edge Portugal

Scorers: Capeta 75′; Pinther 72′, Campbell 76′

A flurry of action in the second half was enough to see Austria edge past Portugal away from home.

After over an hour without a goal, Viktoria Pinther opened the scoring after twisting past her defender and striking from the edge of the box.

The hosts immediately responded when Ana Capeta slotted home into an empty net, but less than 60 seconds later, Eileen Michelle Campbell scored the winner by sneaking the ball past Patrícia Morais’ near post.

All three goals were scored in a four-minute span.

The result means second place Austria extended their lead over third place Portugal in Group A2.

Top-ranked Sweden hold Italy

Scorer: Sembrant 90+6′; Giacinti 56′

The points were split in Malmö after a late goal saw Sweden draw Italy 1-1.

The hosts maintained control of the ball but struggled to find their finishing touch, with only one effort on target throughout the initial 90 minutes.

The visitors, meanwhile, kept goalkeeper Zećira Mušović on her toes with 12 shot attempts, one of which was a moment of individual brilliance.

Striker Valentina Giacinti cushioned down a ball over the top and volleyed home beyond the Chelsea shot-stopper for the opener.

Italy held on for almost the entire match until a stoppage-time header from Linda Sembrant ensured things finished as a draw.

The visitors will feel incredibly unlucky, having dropped points right at the death to FIFA’s No. 1 ranked side. Looking at the standings in Group A4, Sweden sit second with seven points, while Italy are third with four.

Don’t you love the international break?