Holland complicates Germany, Croatia and Belgium without problems

Germany suffered a slip on the road to Euro-2020 by falling at home 4 to 2 this Friday against Holland, another of the powers of its group in the qualifying phase, while Belgium and Croatia command theirs after comforting thrashing 4 -0 in San Marino and Slovakia.

The earthquake of the day arrived in Hamburg. There the 2014 world champions were surprised by a combative Holland, which with two goals in the last twelve minutes could take the victory.

Germany had come forward with a goal from Serge Gnabry in the 8th minute, but Holland managed to tie already in the second half through Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong (58), to take advantage on the scoreboard thanks to a goal in the German's own goal Jonathan Tah (65).

But Toni Kroos gave the locals hope by drawing with a penalty in the 72nd minute. Holland recovered in the last quarter of an hour, with Donyell Malen's goals (78) and Georginio Wijnaldum (90).

"We are disappointed with this result, although it is logical, since Holland was better. We played below our technical level," admitted the German coach Joachim Löw.

After this result, Northern Ireland, despite not playing on this day, maintains the first place in Group C qualifying for Euro-2020 with twelve points, due to its four victories in as many games.

After this stumble, Germany is second with nine points in four games, while Holland is third with six units, but with one game less than Norwegians and Germans.

Northern Ireland and Germany meet Monday in Belfast.

Holland took revenge in addition to his German neighbor, with whom he had also lost within the group, in March in Amsterdam by 3 to 2.

In Group I everything is much clearer for Belgium, which has a full five wins and sails at full speed to the European Championship.

His victory this Friday in San Marino, 4-0, without the injured Eden Hazard, came after a bad first forty minutes, before the goals of Michy Batshuayi (43 penalty, 90), Dries Mertens (57 ) and Born Chadli (63).

Russia is three points behind the Belgians, who settled in second place by winning 2 to 1 in Scotland, which is fourth to six points in second place, seriously complicating the classification possibilities.

– Bale saves Wales –

The runner-up in the world, Croatia, had a placid night in Slovakia, with another 4-0 win, with goals from Nikola Vlasic (45), Ivan Perisic (47), Bruno Petkovic (72) and Dejan Lovren (89).

The Croats are aware of their reduced margin of error after the defeat against Hungary in March.

In the standings, Croatia now has 9 points, the same as Hungary, which did not play this Friday.

They are followed by Wales (3rd), who suffered a great deal to win 2-1 at home to Azerbaijan (colist without scoring), until their star Gareth Bale appeared providentially in the 84th minute.

After a series of rebounds in the area, Bale went to the auction on a lost ball and, headlong into the small area, signed the goal of the local victory.

This victory is crucial so that Wales, semifinalist of the Eurocopa-2016, is not very injured in his attempt to qualify for the 2020 continental event.

"Azerbaijan made it difficult for us. We were messy at some times. We overcame and were able to demonstrate our character," Bale breathed with relief.

Wales has 6 points, the same as Slovakia, and three in Croatia and Hungary, so the group is open.

There were also matches this Friday in Group G, where Poland, which had won its first four games, suffers a slowdown by falling 2-0 in Slovenia.

The Poles are still leaders (12 points), but see Austria approaching (2nd, 9), who walked 6-0 against Latvia, and Slovenia (3rd, 8).