England Relegated in Nations League As Form Spirals Entering the World Cup

Defeat to Italy sends England tumbling to League B—and more importantly raises more questions before the Three Lions go to Qatar

ROME (AP) — It was a rough night for two teams expected to be World Cup contenders. England lost at Italy 1-0 and was relegated from the top tier of the Nations League, and Germany lost at home to Hungary by the same score.

Italy, which didn’t qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, went ahead at the San Siro when Giacomo Raspadori controlled a ball over the top from Leonardo Bonucci and scored from the edge of the area in between several England defenders.

Italy may not be going to the World Cup, but it can at least try to ruin England’s build-up to Qatar.

Giacomo Raspadori’s strike could send the Three Lions tumbling toward #NationsLeague relegation and another poor result

(via @FoxSoccer) pic.twitter.com/0F5jISTgHL

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) September 23, 2022

Italy full back Federico Dimarco also hit the post in the rematch of last season’s European Championship final which was won by the Azzurri.

The goal of the night belonged to Hungary captain Ádám Szalai, who scored with an audacious backheel flick 17 minutes in following a corner.

Hungary takes the lead over Germany and strengthens its position atop a #NationsLeague group that also includes England and Italy 😱

(via @TUDNUSA) pic.twitter.com/TEipdhMRZS

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) September 23, 2022

Germany captain Thomas Müller, who was marking Szalai, didn’t appear to take into account that Szalai was going to attempt a shot on goal with his back to the net from a sharp angle but the ball sailed over the head of goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and inside the far post.

Hungary leads Group 3 with 10 points, followed by Italy (8), Germany (6) and England (2).

On Monday, Italy visits Hungary and England hosts Germany in the final round of group matches. The group winner books a spot at the finals in June.

PROMOTIONS

Bosnia and Herzegovina was promoted to League A following a 1-0 win over regional rival Montenegro, with Ermedin Demirović scoring in first-half added time after being set up by Edin Džeko.

Unbeaten Georgia secured promotion from League C with a 2-0 win over visiting North Macedonia following an own goal from Bojan Miovski and another from Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has five goals and five assists in eight Nations League matches.

Estonia was promoted from League D after beating Malta 2-1.

FRIENDLIES

Brazil beat Ghana 3-0 in France with two goals from Richarlison and an opener from Marquinhos.

The United States put on a dismal performance in a 2-0 loss to Japan in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Daichi Kamada scored following Weston McKennie’s giveaway in the 24th minute, and Kaoru Mitoma added a goal in the 88th. In their next-to-last World Cup warmup, the Americans failed to put a single shot on goal.

Japan is preparing to play in its seventh straight World Cup.

Also, Qatar-bound Cameroon was beaten by Uzbekistan 2-0, and South Korea, which has also qualified for the World Cup, drew with Costa Rica 2-2.

Iran — in a World Cup group with England, the U.S. and Wales — beat Uruguay 1-0.

#USMNT World Cup opponent Iran marks Carlos Queiroz’s return to the bench by edging Uruguay in a friendly on Mehdi Taremi’s late goal 👀

(via @FoxDeportes) pic.twitter.com/zkZELP2rto

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) September 23, 2022

World Cup host Qatar lost to Canada 2-0 in Vienna.