Nations League: Lewandowski scores, then Poland goes down against Belgium

Enlarge image

Poland's Robert Lewandowski in a duel with Belgium's Leander Dendoncker (from left)

Photo:

Bruno Fahy / dpa

Belgium turned the game against Poland on the second day of the Nations League - and how.

The hosts won 6-1 (1-1) and made up for the 4-1 defeat against the Netherlands last Friday.

FC Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who was willing to change, gave his team the lead in the 28th minute, and Axel Witsel equalized before the break (42nd).

Midfield star Kevin De Bruyne (59th), Leandro Trossard (73rd/80th), Leander Dendoncker (83rd) and Loïs Openda (90th + 2nd) finally ensured the Belgians' first victory in the new Nations League in Brussels -Season.

Especially in the second half Lewandowski's team delivered a disappointing performance, up to the 80th minute Poland had only fired one shot on goal in the second half.

Goalscorer Lewandowski, who was substituted in the 69th minute, only saw the goals for Belgium from the bench.

And there were some notable moments, such as the 4-1 when Trossard shot the ball from the left edge of the penalty area undisturbed over Poland keeper Bartłomiej Drągowski into the far corner.

The Dutch have also won their second game of the new season and, after a turbulent final phase, prevailed 2-1 (0-0) in Wales.

Former Wolfsburg player Wout Weghorst headed the winning goal in the fourth minute of added time.

Previously, Teun Koopmeiners (50th) had put ex-Bayern coach Louis van Gaal's team in the lead, Rhys Norrington-Davies (90th + 2) managed to equalize in the meantime.

The Elftal is now unbeaten for eleven games.

In group 4 of the A-League only the Netherlands have six points after two games, followed by Poland and Belgium (3 each) ahead of Wales (0).

The national football team of Ukraine started the Nations League with a win just three days after losing in the World Cup qualifiers.

The Ukrainians won 1-0 (0-0) in Ireland on Wednesday evening.

Viktor Zygankov (48th minute) scored the decisive goal for his team in Dublin.

As a result, Ukraine moved up to second place in their group.

Ukraine missed out on participating in the World Cup in Qatar last weekend after beating Wales 1-0 in the playoff final.

Wales qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 64 years.

In the parallel match in Group 1, Scotland beat Armenia 2-0 (2-0), goals scored by Anthony Ralston (28') and Scott McKenna (40').

Scotland is the leader of the table.

ngo/dpa/sid