UEFA Nations League: Kobel and Aebischer help Switzerland maintain perfect record

Switzerland recorded their third win in League B of the UEFA Nations League.

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Gregor Kobel and Michel Aebischer started for Switzerland as Murat Yakin’s side extended their winning streak with a 2-1 victory over Slovenia. The World Cup quarter-finalists sit top of Group B1 with a perfect record after three rounds.

Borussia Dortmund’s goalkeeper conceded for the first time in Switzerland colours since his World Cup heroics, but Dan Ndoye’s strike before half-time secured a 2-1 victory for Nati. Meanwhile, Union Berlin's new midfielder maintained his place after playing the entire game in the 3-0 win against ten-man Scotland in Glasgow. 

Fabian Rieder replaced the matchwinner Ndoye for the final few minutes. The Augsburg midfielder has lost his starting berth after the North Macedonia game despite his excellent start to the campaign at club level.

In the other game from Group B1, Scotland once again finished their game with ten players, but they held on to return home with three points after a 2-0 victory over bottom-placed North Macedonia.

Switzerland will host North Macedonia, who are still looking for their first goal of the competition, on Tuesday as they hope to end the international break with four wins out of four.

From League A, Spain also kept their perfect record with a 3-1 win over Czechia in Oviedo. Lamine Yamal scored inside the first six minutes for the third game running before his Barcelona teammate Rodri doubled their advantage.

Czechia showed signs of a comeback with Hoffenheim attacker Adam Hložek providing the assist for Jiri Salama’s strike, but the visitors had to finish the game with ten after the second booking for their captain Ladislav Krejčí. 

Supersub Mikel Merino sealed the three points before the final whistle as the World Cup champions will now face Croatia in Split. England, who scored seven past Luka Modrić’s Croatia, are at home against Czechia as Harry Kane will look forward to more international goals before his return to Säbener Strasse.