Bergwijn leads Dutch past Poland, Italy held by Bosnia
Steven Bergwijn ensured the Netherlands did not feel the lack of recently departed coach Ronald Koeman to beat Poland 1-0 in the Nations League, while Italy's record winning run came to a finish in a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday.
Koeman left to take charge of Barcelona last month, less than a year before he was due to lead his country to a major international tournament for the first time.
A rejuvenated Netherlands reached the ultimate of the inaugural Nations League under Koeman and Bergwijn is one of numerous exciting young talents alongside Frenkie De Jong and Matthijs de Ligt that make the Dutch among the favourites for next year's Euros.
The Tottenham winger netted his first international goal by tapping home from close range on the hour mark to give caretaker boss Dwight Lodeweges an ideal start.
Also in League AN ORGANIZATION 1, Italy extended their two-year unbeaten run but a run of 11 straight wins found an end in Florence.
Edin Dzeko put the visitors in the front in the united states where he plays his club football for Roma before Stefano Sensi levelled ten minutes later.
"We're disappointed never to win, but there is no sharpness," said Italy boss Roberto Mancini. "Our winning streak had to get rid of eventually, and we're glad it was included with a draw rather than a defeat."
Scotland and Israel drew 1-1 in a dress rehearsal of their Euro 2020 playoff semi-final back at Hampden the following month.
Ryan Christie's penalty late in the first-half masked a poor performance from Steve Clarke's side, who were pegged back 17 minutes from time when Eran Zahavi drilled high in to the far corner.
Clarke handed Lyndon Dykes a debut in advance, while he changed to three at the trunk to fit left-backs Kieran Tierney of Arsenal and Liverpool's Andy Robertson in to the same team.
"I think we have to be doing better," said Dykes. "Looking at the squad, we have world class (players). We need somewhat of belief, somewhat of confidence."
In the other game in the group, the Czech Republic shrugged off the disruption of key players Tomas Soucek and Patrik Schick having to self-isolate after getting into connection with a backroom staff member who tested positive for coronavirus.
The Czechs beat neighbours Slovakia 3-1 in Bratislava.
Gavin Whyte's goal four minutes from time salvaged a 1-1 draw for Northern Ireland in Romania despite being down to 10 men for over 50 minutes after Josh Magennis's first half red card.
Erling Haaland's first international goal for Norway had not been enough as the hosts lost 2-1 to Austria in Oslo.
Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer's penalty put the visitors 2-0 in the front prior to the Borussia Dortmund striker's deft finish opened his international account.
In League C, Kazakhstan beat Lithuania 2-0, while Albania were 2-0 victors in Belarus.
