Germany narrowly beat Ukraine in the Nations League on Saturday evening, partly thanks to a goalkeeper blunder. Under the watchful eye of 21,000 spectators, the team of national coach Joachim Löw triumphed in Kiev with 1-2. Spain beat Switzerland at the same time with minimal difference: 1-0. In three days, the meetings between Germany – Switzerland and Ukraine – Spain are planned: in mid-November, Germany and Spain will face each other.

Ukraine – Germany 1-2
The minimal lead at halftime in Kiev was downright deserved, but really did shine die Mannschaft not. Already in the opening phase, Löw’s team suffered a lot of loss as soon as they wanted to visit half of Ukraine. The lack of quality in the home team was the reason for the lack of a goal against. Germany struck after twenty minutes: after a low pass by Antonio Rüdiger from the right, Serge Gnabry tried to cash the ball with the heel, but it was Matthias Ginter who made the 0-1.

Georgiy Bushchan received no fewer than seven goals against France (7-1) last week in the exhibition match against France, but kept an excellent first half on Saturday. A few minutes after the break, however, the goalkeeper made an error. He released a cross from Lukas Klostermann from the right, causing the ball to land directly on Leon Goretzka’s head and bump into the goal. Bushchan prevented a third goal against several times and saw how a striking penalty kick from Ruslan Malinovskyi, after a foul by Niklas Süle on Roman Yaremchuk, meant the 1-2. However, Ukraine was not capable of more.

It is the first victory for Germany in the Nations League. Die Mannschaft played earlier in group 4 of division A against Spain (1-1) and Switzerland (1-1). Only the winner of the group will qualify for the Final Four at the end of the group stage, which is scheduled for June.

Spain – Switzerland 1-0
Luis Enrique’s team had a clear field advantage in the first 45 minutes, but struggled to create danger. Switzerland’s tight-knit defense managed to stop Spain every time, except when Yann Sommer made a mistake after less than fifteen minutes of play. Mikel Merino intercepted a pass from the goalkeeper, after which Mikel Oyarzabal fired the ball from close range and low against the ropes. The 1-0 score at half time was also largely due to David de Gea. A few minutes prior to the opening goal, he reacted well to a bet from close by from Loris Benito.

In the second half, Switzerland was looking more for a goal, but Spain made a very solid impression in the back. A second hit from la selección española was not forthcoming, despite the fact that Luis Enrique had hoped to end the game with substitutes such as Adama Traoré, Sergio Canales and Gerard Moreno. In the last fifteen minutes in particular, the fatigue was quite visible in both teams.

The team of national coach Luis Enrique is still unbeaten in the Nations League after three matches and leader in group 4. After the draw against Germany (1-1), the three-time European champion outclassed Ukraine 4-0 at the beginning of last month.