UEFA Nations League: Ansu Fati becomes Spain’s youngest scorer in win over Ukraine; Switzerland ties with Germany

Ansu Fati of Spain watches the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Spain and Ukraine at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain on Sunday, September 6, 2020 (AP Photo / Bernat Armangue) .

Paris France: Ansu Fati announced her arrival in international football on Sunday after becoming the youngest scorer in the history of the Spanish team in a 4-0 scorer over Ukraine that placed her at the top of her UEFA Nations League group.

Barcelona forward Fati put Spain three goals ahead in the 31st minute of the League A, Group 4 clash at Madrid’s empty Alfredo di Stefano Stadium with a fine individual goal that came amid a brilliant debut in the debut of his adopted country.

At 17 years and 311 days old, Fati, who was born in Guinea-Bissau and obtained Spanish nationality a year ago after moving to Spain at the age of seven, broke the previous record held by Juan Errazquin, who scored three goals at the age of 18 against Switzerland in 1925.

“As soon as I showered and changed, I called my family, they are the people who have helped me get to this day and who always help me overcome challenges,” Fati said after the match.

“I will ask all the boys to sign this Spain shirt and I will put it on the wall in a special place in my house.”

Having won the penalty that captain Sergio Ramos converted just two minutes after kickoff, he could have scored minutes before finding the net when his close-range bicycle kick was unknowingly cleared just as it looked like it was heading in.

Fati’s goal, a super curling shot after some good footwork on the edge of the area, came just three minutes after Ramos put Spain up two with a beautiful looped header from a Dani Olmo cross. Substitute Ferran Torres completed the win five minutes from time.

The easy win leaves Spain at the top of Group 4 with four points, one ahead of Sunday’s opponents but more importantly two ahead of Germany, who achieved a second 1-1 draw in a row, this time. with Switzerland.

Germany disappoints

Ilkay Gundogan gave Germany the lead in the 14th minute, but Swiss right-back Silvan Widmer leveled for the hosts just before hours behind closed doors in Basel.

It was the second time in as many games that Joachim Loew’s team had failed to capitalize on the lead after conceding a tie in the seventh minute of injury time against Spain on Thursday.

The visiting team started strong, but the hosts began to advance shortly after going back, with Benfica striker Haris Seferovic hitting the post for the Swiss just before half-time.

They deservedly tied when Borussia Moenchengladbach forward Breel Embolo, one of six on the Swiss team playing for German clubs, chose Widmer, who beat Bernd Leno in the 58th minute.

Germany had Leno to thank for earning a point, with the Arsenal man making a series of good saves, notably from a well-hit free kick from his Gunners teammate Granit Xhaka five minutes before the end.

Previously, Russia continued their strong start in League B with a 3-2 win over Hungary in Budapest that would have been less tense had it not been disengaged with a three goal lead.

Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov criticized his team as “unacceptable” for allowing the hosts to return from the dead, with a deft chip from Freiburg striker Roland Sallai and a powerful shot from Nemanja Nikolic that gave Hungary 20 minutes to try. complete what would have been a remarkable comeback.

However, the Russians held out to take two wins out of two and take first place in Group 3, three points ahead of the Hungarians.

“Two games, two wins, that’s the main thing and besides, now we have to think before the next games,” Cherchesov said.

Wales also maintained their perfect record in Group 4 following a last-gasp header from promising teenager Neco Williams, which gave them a close 1-0 win over Bulgaria.

Williams ‘first goal in professional football at the age of 19 turned Wales to four consecutive victories in all competitions and leaves Ryan Giggs’ team at the top of the group with six points.

They are three ahead of Finland, who managed a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin thanks to Fredrik Jensen’s goal just seconds after reaching the middle of the second half.