Nations League 27/9/22 roundup: Spain reach finals; Scotland promoted; Ireland win thriller
By Sean Walsh
The September UEFA Nations League internationals are now consigned to the history books after the final round of matches on Tuesday.
There was still plenty to play for with Portugal and Spain battling for a spot in next year's finals and Scotland holding out for promotion to League A.
Here's your roundup of Tuesday's action.
Nations League A, Group 2
Portugal 0-1 Spain
Spain left it late to leapfrog Iberian rivals Portugal in Group 2 and book their place in next summer's finals.
La Roja needed all three points to secure top spot in the group, and got the result they needed thanks to a late winner from Alvaro Morata.
Portugal spurned several chances to take the lead in Braga, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Diogo Jota and Bruno Fernandes all going close.
Spain were blunt for much of the game but kicked into gear in the latter stages, and eventually Nico Williams teed up Morata to give the visitors the win they needed.
Switzerland 2-1 Czech Republic
Switzerland fought off a second-half rally to relegate the Czech Republic from Nations League A.
A quick-fire double from Breel Embolo and Remo Freuler had the hosts cruising at 2-0 with half an hour on the clock.
However, Patrik Shick pulled one back for the Czech Republic on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors some hope.
Nico Elvedi gave away a penalty just after an hour, but Tomas Soucek's spot kick was saved by Yann Sommer and Switzerland held out to secure their safety.
Nations League B, Group 1
Republic of Ireland 3-2 Armenia
The Republic of Ireland had their blushes spared after throwing away a two-goal lead against Armenia, with Robbie Brady's stoppage-time penalty saving the Boys in Green.
John Egan headed Stephen Kenny's men into a first-half lead to settle the nerves at the Aviva Stadium, and Michael Obafemi doubled the advantage just after the interval.
However, things quickly turned sour for Ireland as Armenia - who needed a win to move ahead of Tuesday's opponents and fight off relegation - scored twice in three minutes, with Artak Dashyan and Eduard Spertsyan firing the visitors back into the contest.
But with Armenia needing a victory, they endeavoured to hand one to Ireland instead. The hosts were awarded a penalty for a handball and Hovhannes Hambardzumyan and Dashyan were both dismissed for dissent.
After minutes of debate, Brady stepped up to seal Ireland's spot in Nations League B and relegate Armenia.
Ukraine 0-0 Scotland
Scotland were promoted to Nations League A after a hard-earned 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Krakow.
Steve Clarke's men were second-best for much of the evening, but will go into the next Nations League campaign as the highest-ranked British team following England's relegation, while they have also secured at least a play-off spot for Euro 2024.
Che Adams had an early strike deflected behind by Taras Stepanenko, before Mykhaylo Mudryk's cross somehow wasn't turned in by Artem Dovbyk.
A collision between Adams and a couple of Ukraine defenders saw the referee sent to the VAR monitor, but he stood by his initial decision and the Scots were denied a penalty.
Ryan Jack and Stepanenko both went close before the end of the first half but the two sides went into the break goalless.
In the second half, Mudryk brought a flying save out of Craig Gordon and Ukraine maintained their dominance, but ultimately could not find a way through and Scotland held on to win promotion.
Nations League B, Group 2
Albania 1-1 Iceland
Nations League B, Group 3
Norway 0-2 Serbia
Serbia promoted to League A.
Sweden 1-1 Slovenia
Sweden relegated to League C.
Nations League C, Group 2
Greece 3-1 Northern Ireland
Greece promoted to League B.
Kosovo 5-1 Cyprus
Cyprus sent to relegation play-offs.