Belgium routs Poland 6-1, Netherlands wins on late goal
So much for Belgium not caring about the Nations League.
By coming from behind to rout Poland 6-1 on Wednesday, Belgium’s players gave an emphatic riposte to those questioning the team’s commitment to the competition at the end of a long season and, in particular, after a 4-1 loss to the Netherlands on Friday.
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez had been quick to dismiss accusations of his players lacking desire, and they backed up that support by recovering from going behind to Robert Lewandowski’s 76th goal for Poland.
Axel Witsel launched Belgium’s comeback with the equalizer in the 42nd, Kevin De Bruyne added a second in the 59th, before a double from Leandro Trossard — in the 73rd and 80th — a long-range effort from Leander Dendoncker in the 83rd and a first international goal by Lois Openda to wrap up the win in Brussels.
Trossard's second goal was spectacular, with the Brighton playmaker collecting a short corner and curling a shot into the far top corner from the edge of the area.
The Netherlands stayed in front in the group, though, by scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time through Wout Weghorst's diving header to beat Wales 2-1.
Wales, which qualified for the World Cup last weekend for the first time in 64 years, had equalized two minutes earlier after falling behind to Teun Koopmeiners' 50th-minute strike from the edge of the area.
In Group B, Ukraine bounced back from losing to Wales in that World Cup playoff by winning 1-0 at Ireland and was joined on three points by Scotland, a 2-0 winner over Armenia.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
College Basketball Rankings: Florida, Duke Highlight Men's Preseason Top 25
Mike Evans Was Right About Being 49ers’ Missing Piece; Nick Sirianni In Trouble?
4 Takeaways From The 49ers' Thrilling Win Over The Seahawks
Overreaction Monday: 49ers Team To Beat In NFC? Seahawks Can't Win Without Kenneth Walker?
NFL Fallout Week 5: The Eagles Aren't Contenders — And Should Start Rebuilding
Why Cooper Kupp Was Ruled Short Of 1st-Down Marker In 49ers' Win vs. Seahawks
College Football Rankings: Texas and Oregon Fall, Who's The New No. 1?
Commanders Co-Owner Magic Johnson 'In Total Disbelief' Over Team's OT Loss To Giants
2026 College Football Rankings: Georgia Stays At The Top, Texas Tumbles
