Nations League roundup: Nathan Collins’ mazy run earns Ireland draw

Nathan Collins scored a sensational solo goal as the Republic of Ireland emerged from their Nations League clash with Ukraine with a creditable draw.

The 21-year-old Burnley centre-half weaved his way through the home side’s mesmerised ranks in the 31st minute before firing past stranded goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk with the outside of his right foot in front of a largely stunned crowd of 10,641 in the Polish city of Lodz.

Collins’s first senior international goal was ultimately only enough to claim a 1-1 draw against the Euro 2020 quarter-finalists, to whom they lost 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium last week, after Artem Dovbyk levelled to ensure his side will sit at the top of League B Group One when they return to action in September.

A largely inexperienced Ireland team – with the notable exception of James McClean, who won his 94th cap – performed admirably at the LKS Stadium, with Collins, Dara O’Shea, Josh Cullen and Jason Knight particularly impressive to provide manager Stephen Kenny with further vindication of his vision.

Ukraine equalised two minutes after the restart when Andriy Yarmolenko found half a yard beyond McClean to cross low and hand Dovbyk the simplest of tasks to level.

In Mönchengladbach, Germany demolished Italy 5-2 with a sparkling display of attacking football for their first Nations League Group A3 win, ending a four-game winless run and stretching their unbeaten streak under their coach Hansi Flick.

In Germany’s best performance under Flick, Timo Werner struck twice after goals from Joshua Kimmich, Ilkay Gündogan and Thomas Müller had put them in the driving seat. The teenager Wilfried Gnonto pulled one back in the 78th minute and Alessandro Bastoni headed in a second for the visitors in stoppage time.