Spain join Croatia, Italy, Netherlands into Nations League finals

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Alvaro Morata (L) celebrates with a teammate after scoring a goal to secure Spain's 1-0 victory over Portugal during their UEFA Nations League match at Estadio Municipal de Braga in Braga, Portugal, September 27, 2022. /CFP

Alvaro Morata's late goal earned Spain a 1-0 away win in Portugal and the last place in the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Nations League finals on Tuesday, while the Czech Republic were relegated from the top tier after losing in Switzerland.

Cristiano Ronaldo (#7) of Portugal reacts to a missed chance during the UEFA Nations League match with Spain at Estadio Municipal de Braga in Braga, Portugal, September 27, 2022. /CFP

Portugal, winners of the inaugural Nations League in 2019, needed just a point in Braga to finish top of group but dropped to second as Morata tapped in Nico Williams' header on 88 minutes.

Spain join the Netherlands, Italy and Croatia in the finals which are scheduled for June next year.

Switzerland's goalkeeper Yann Sommer (C) saves a penalty kicked by Czech Republic's midfielder Tomas Soucek (L) during their UEFA Nations League match at Kybunpark stadium in St. Gallen, Switzerland, September 27, 2022. /CFP

Switzerland, who beat Spain 2-1 in Zaragoza on Saturday, were indebted to goalkeeper Yann Sommer as he saved a second-half penalty to preserve victory over the Czechs.

Remo Freuler and Breel Embolo scored within a minute of each other in the first half in St Gallen, but Patrik Schick pulled one back before the break.

UEFA Nations League:

Qualified for finals: Croatia, Spain, Italy, Netherlands

Semifinals: June 14 and 15, 2023

Final and third-place match: June 18, 2023

The hosts of the event will be appointed in January 2023, with four sides – Belgium, Poland, Netherlands and Wales – all declared an interest.

(With input from AFP)

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