🇪🇺 NL: Hungary end England's record unbeaten run; Italy have a new hero | OneFootball

The Nations League action continued across Europe throughout the day on Saturday.

This is what went down.

Gnonto shines as Italy draw with Germany

Scorers: Pellegrini 70′; Kimmich 73′

Italy hailed a new hero as they bounced back from their Finalissima disappointment to begin their Nations League journey with a draw against Germany.

The closest either side came to a first half goal was through Gianluca Scamacca, who was denied a first goal for his country by the post following an effort from range.

Matteo Politano had an attempt just off target shortly after the break for the Azzurri, who then handed 18-year-old Zürich striker Wilfried Gnonto a first cap for his country.

And it didn’t take him long to have an immediate impact, quickly setting up Lorenzo Pellegrini to beat Manuel Neuer for the opener with a low cross from the right.

But within three minutes, the visitors levelled through Joshua Kimmich, who volleyed home coolly after Italy failed to clear their lines in the centre of the area.

He came close to a winner too, only for Gianluigi Donnarumma to deny him with a fine stop as both sides settled for a point to start their campaign.

England pay the penalty

Scorers: Szoboszlai pen 64′

England’s longest ever unbeaten run come to an end as they were beaten by a second half penalty in Hungary on Saturday night.

In an exciting contest, Dominik Szoboszlai came close to opening the scoring but saw his effort cleared off the goal-line by Conor Coady in the biggest chance of a first half which Hungary had the better of.

Bukayo Saka replaced one of England’s two debutants James Justin (the other being Jarrod Bowen) due to injury at the break and forced a good save out of Péter Gulácsi shortly after his introduction.

But it was Hungary who took the lead from the penalty spot after Reece James was penalised for a foul in the area, allowing Szoboszlai to net from the spot with a low penalty to Jordan Pickford’s right for the winner.

It brings an end to England’s national record 22-game undefeated streak, which stretched back to November 2020.

Ireland undone in Armenia

Scorers: Spertsyan 74′

Stephen Kenny’s wait for a first Nations League win as Republic of Ireland boss goes on after his side fell to a fantastic strike in Armenia on Saturday evening.

In a low-key first half, Ireland had the better chances but failed to create too much of note against a pragmatic and resolute Armenia outfit.

And typically, they were made to pay for not making the most of things when on top when Eduard Spertsyan struck for the winner with 16 minutes remaining when he launched a beautiful effort beyond Caomhín Kelleher from distance.

Ireland are yet to win any of their 11 Nations League fixtures (drawing five and losing six), while only San Marino with zero have netted fewer than their two goals.