Spain clinch Nations League finals spot as Morata scores late winner

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Spain clinched a spot in the 2023 UEFA Nations League finals Tuesday as Alvaro Morata scored a late winner against Portugal.

Spain broke the deadlock in the Portuguese city of Braga in the 88th minute.

Dani Carvajal crossed to the far post to find Nico Williams.

Williams nodded the ball to the center as an unmarked Morata made an easy finish from close range.

So Spain beat Portugal 1-0 to win Nations League A - Group 2, which meant that the victors joined Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands in the 2023 Nations League finals to be held next June.

Spain had 11 points in six matches. Second-place Portugal racked up 10 points in Group 2.

Switzerland bagged nine points after they beat Czech Republic 2-1 at home on Tuesday.

The Czechs had four points to be relegated to a lower league.

The four League A group winners are now in the semis to be played on June 14-15, 2023.

The final and the third-place playoff will be held on June 18.

The group stage in the 2022-23 Nations League finished Tuesday as Austria, Czech Republic, England and Wales were relegated to League B.

- Tuesday's results:

Ukraine - Scotland: 0-0

Ireland - Armenia: 3-2

Switzerland - Czech Republic: 2-1

Portugal - Spain: 0-1

Sweden - Slovenia: 1-1

Albania - Iceland: 1-1

Greece - Northern Ireland: 3-1

Norway - Serbia: 0-2

Kosovo - Greek Cypriot Administration: 5-1