UEFA Nations League round-up: Friday’s star outings revealed
The UEFA Nations League is now well underway after seven more matches were completed across Europe on Friday. WhoScored can exclusively reveal the star men from each of those games.
Faroe Island 3-1 Malta: Hallur Hansson - 8.42 rating
Faroe Island’s have now won successive matches for the first time since 2003 after opening up their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-1 win over Malta. Midfielder Hallur Hansson wrapped up all three points for the home side with the final goal of the game in the 51st minute. The 26-year-old was fouled three times, as well as making six tackles and interceptions combined to go with his goal.
Azerbaijan 0-0 Kosovo: Qara Qarayev - 7.86 rating
These two European minnows battled it out for a point in Group 3 of League D. Azerbaijan are on a decent run of form, only losing two of their last seven, but will be disappointed only to manage a draw here. They didn’t even concede a shot on target and had 62% of possession. Defensive midfielder Qara Qarayev was the star man for the home side, winning four aerial duels, creating three goalscoring opportunities and making nine tackles and interceptions combined.
Romania 0-0 Montenegro: Vladimir Jovovic - 7.24 rating
Romania and Montenegro also played out a goalless draw to start their respective UEFA Nations League campaigns. Despite managing 22 attempts on goal between them, only three were on target. Montenegro winger Vladimir Jovovic was responsible for one of them, while the 23-year-old also won three aerial duels. Incredibly, however, he was fouled nine times by Romania.
Lithuania 0-1 Serbia: Aleksandar Mitrovic - 8.49 rating
Aleksandar Mitrovic was unable to get on the scoresheet on Friday night but the Fulham striker continued his fine start to the season with a Man of the Match performance away to Lithuania. The 23-year-old hit the target with four of his seven attempts on goal and two more of those came back off the woodwork. He was colossal in the air, winning 10 aerial duels and also helped out at the back with three clearances.
Albania 1-0 Israel: Thomas Strakosha - 8.65 rating
Albania came away with all three points from their contest with Israel but have goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha to thank after the Lazio ace finished with the WhoScored Man of the Match award. The 23-year-old made five saves, won one aerial duel and completed four clearances. Strakosha has now kept clean sheets in successive matches for club and country this season.
Turkey 1-2 Russia: Okay Yokuslu - 8.01 rating
Turkey may have succumbed to defeat to Russia on home soil but defensive midfielder Okay Yokuslu finished Friday’s encounter as the highest WhoScored rated player. The 24-year-old won eight aerial duels and pulled off nine tackles and interceptions combined. Not only that, but the Celta Vigo midfielder made four clearances and blocked one Russian effort on goal.
Italy 1-1 Poland: Robert Lewandowski - 7.23 rating
Robert Lewandowski had a World Cup to forget in the summer but he was at least decisive in Poland’s impressive 1-1 draw away to Italy on Friday. The Bayern Munich striker provided the assist for Piotr Zielinski, while also producing two further goalscoring opportunities. The 30-year-old had three attempts on goal and won three aerial duels.
