Following the 1-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain, a number of FC Bayern Women players were away with their national teams for Matchdays 5 and 6 in the UEFA Women’s Nations League. Here’s a round-up of all the results.
Germany through to finals
Germany, boasting Klara Bühl, Sydney Lohmann, Giulia Gwinn, Linda Dallmann und Lina Magull, faced Denmark first in League A and recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win, with Bühl bagging the third goal. Horst Hrubesch’s team were then held to a goalless draw in the final game against Wales. However, Denmark’s defeat to Iceland meant it was enough for Germany to progress to the finals, consisting of two semi-finals and either the final or third-placed play-off.
Netherlands also through, two wins for Iceland
The Netherlands and Jill Baijings suffered a 3-2 defeat to Georgia Stanway’s England. However, they went on to beat Belgium 4-0 and snatch top spot in the group. The Bayern midfielder didn’t feature in either game.
Glódís Viggósdóttir and Iceland were in Wales for Matchday 5 and held a 2-0 lead going into the 90th minute. The hosts got a goal back in the fourth minute of added time, but it was too late. They followed that up with a 1-0 win at home to Denmark. A record of three wins and three defeats meant Iceland finished the section in third place.
Second place for England and Austria
England were 2-0 down at the break in their game against the Dutch. Stanway brought them back into things with her goal in the 58th minute. The Lionesses then equalised moments later before snatching a 3-2 win in added time. England then won their decisive final match against rivals Scotland and Samantha Kerr 6-0. However, it wasn’t enough to earn first place, which the Netherlands took on goal difference.
Austria fell to a 3-0 defeat to unbeaten France before a 2-1 win over Norway. Sarah Zadrazil and Katharina Naschenweng started both games. Second place in group A2 means Austria can no longer qualify for the 2024 Olympics.
Mixed results for Norway, Scotland and Serbia
Norway got their first Nations League win, with Tuva Hansen featuring in the 4-0 victory over Portugal. The Scandinavians then visited Austria for the final game, losing 2-1 to Zadrazil and Naschenweng.
Kerr and Scotland managed a 1-1 draw against Belgium before their 6-0 thumping at the hands of England. The Scots therefore finished Group A1 bottom without a win.
However, Serbia were victorious against Greece, with Jovana Damnjanovic’s country claiming a 2-0 win thanks to late goals in either half. They were then beaten 1-0 by Ukraine but still finished second in Group B3. Second-placed teams from League B will contest the play-off for promotion against a third-placed team from League A.
Eriksson and Sweden beaten
Magdalena Eriksson didn’t feature in Sweden’s 1-0 loss to Switzerland due to suspension for accumulation of yellow cards. She then started against unbeaten Spain, with the Swedes twice going ahead but eventually losing 5-3 to finish third in Group A4.
It all means the Netherlands, Germany, France and Spain will contest the Nations League finals, with the semi-finals and final set to be played on 21 and 28 February 2024. The two finalists will then earn a place at the Olympic Games in Paris. As hosts, France have already qualified. Should they reach the final, third place will get to compete at the Olympics.
Bayern’s plans for the winter break have been confirmed:
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