Winner: Shea Charles
Imagine starting your Nations League campaign after winning promotion as group winners, yet still being at the very bottom of Europe in one particular respect. Until Friday, Northern Ireland were the last UEFA nation whose national team had never won away from home in the competition.
In theory, promotion could have made it even harder to break the curse. After 90 minutes in Tbilisi, it looked as though the trip to Georgia would bring no joy. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had missed a penalty, but the visitors had failed to score too.
Then, in the ninth minute of stoppage time, a throw-in presented one last chance. Trai Hume sent the ball into the box, and Shea Charles’ outstretched leg changed the course of history. The goal delivered Norn Iron’s victory, the opposing manager lost his job as a result, and the Irish FA released a clip set to a Celine Dion song. Yes, Shea Charles was a winner this weekend.
Loser: Jurgen Klopp
The prospect of Jurgen Klopp taking charge of Germany had been fuelling debate ever since the embarrassing World Cup qualifying exit against Paraguay. Once the decision was made, a new era was expected to begin for Germany, whose spell under Julian Nagelsmann had failed to deliver success.
We mention the two months of expectation-building for a reason: they produced an impressive audience for the first match, with almost 11 million viewers tuning in.
The draw with the Netherlands left a sense of frustration, but dropping points against the Oranje in stoppage time was bearable. Germany had looked better against Greece at home, particularly in their marking and defensive organisation.
That impression vanished late on, when Greece snatched the first win in their history, and the hosts were completely unable to respond. The balloon inflated since July burst. It does not erase Klopp’s work, but the numbers are unforgiving: Greece, competing in League A for the first time, are now favourites to reach the Nations League quarter-finals.
Losers: Manchester City
Premier League rivals learned that Manchester City were guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled against the club, which broke into the public domain on Friday. And 'broke' is not an exaggeration. Speculation about possible punishments began almost immediately, while Khaldoon Al Mubarak’s response and the announcement of an appeal have done little to quieten the criticism.
Could City be stripped of league points and titles already won? Even if not, the door is open to enormous financial claims from their strongest rivals. For now, the 'Citizens' have suffered a major blow to their reputation. They did not even play this weekend...
Winners: Vancouver FC
During FIFA international windows, fans of domestic football have to endure a barren spell. This section is a gift for them. In the Canadian Premier League, Sunday brought a rollercoaster in Toronto, where Inter Toronto lost 4-3 to the Premier League’s bottom side, Pacific FC, with all seven goals coming in the first half.
A red card, three penalties and 15 minutes of stoppage time - it was football’s version of 'everything everywhere all at once'. For Pacific, it was also only their second win in 23 matches.
Although two teams from the bottom of the table were involved, the result delighted Vancouver FC, playing more than 3,300 km away. Inter’s defeat meant that every one of Vancouver’s rivals in the fight for a playoff spot lost this weekend.
Vancouver, meanwhile, stopped fancied Forge FC and moved closer to a historic first qualification for the postseason. Even an eight-team league can be exciting.
Losers: Costa Rica
Anyone who remembers Curacao’s World Cup debut may have been ready to give up after the first half of their away Nations League match in Costa Rica. Eloy Room, who saved 15 shots against Ecuador, was letting everything through in San Jose.
The hosts went into half-time 3-0 up and were top of the virtual table. Their lead was still secure with half an hour remaining, but the visitors’ substitutes transformed the match in an instant.
Jordi Paulina provided two assists between the 62nd and 66th minutes, with Kenji Gorre and Tahith Chong scoring the goals. The match suddenly became a one-goal game, and luck then clearly favoured the better side.
After Comenencia’s long-range effort came back off the post, the ball fell to Gorre, who equalised into an empty net. The final goal, scored by Paulina with his knee and via the post, was the perfect ending to a joyful display of football - albeit on an exceptionally painful night for Costa Rica.
The match was played on Friday, but they probably still do not know how they turned a 3-0 lead into a 4-3 defeat in 20 minutes.
Winner: Gavin Bazunu
For now, at least, it appears that Ireland’s reserve goalkeeper has gained a great deal by deciding not to play against Israel. Since Friday, media and football fans worldwide have been discussing the reserve goalkeeper, who probably would not have taken to the field anyway.
Positive comments have poured out in his homeland. In the eyes of the international community, his gesture joins a long list of actions taken by the Ireland national team. The full consequences of his decision, however, will only become clear in time.
For now, the player remains with the squad ahead of the match against Austria, while the debate surrounding his stance and that of the entire Ireland team is far from over - the return leg in Serbia lies ahead.
Losers: Israel
After the painful relegation from League A, Israel’s players suffered an even harder landing one level lower. The problems began in the opening match, and at the worst possible moment. Israel managed to equalise against Austria, only for Sayed Abu Farkhi to be sent off immediately for a controversial celebration.
He removed the corner flag and made a gesture resembling a gun, which the referee deemed unacceptable. He was shown a second yellow card, meaning a red, and that helped Austria to a 3-1 win. The player had performed the celebration before and stressed that the gesture was a reference to snooker. But with a booking already to his name, caution was needed in every respect.
After two days of media chaos surrounding Farkhi, Israel were swept aside by Ireland in Debrecen on Sunday within 25 minutes. They failed to recover after conceding three goals and were left rooted to the bottom of the group with a dreadful goal difference.
