UEFA Nations League round-up: Monday's top performers in detail

 

As the first international break of the season draws to a close, there were another eight UEFA Nations League matches on Monday night as Portugal got their campaign up and running against Italy. Here, we run through the top performers from the eight games. 

 

Malta 1-1 Azerbaijan: Tamkin Xalilzada - 7.58 rating 

 

A closely fought encounter in group 3 of league D, Azerbaijan came from behind to draw 1-1 with Malta. Left-back Tamkin Xalilzada was the star man, with the defender drawing the visitors level midway through the first half. His goal came from his only shot in the stalemate, while returns of two key passes, one dribble, one tackle and one interception saw the 25-year-old come away with the WhoScored man of the match award with a 7.58 rating. 

 

Kosovo 2-0 Faroe Islands: Arber Zeneli - 7.88 rating 

 

In the same group, Kosovo moved to the summit of group 3 in league D with a comfortable 2-0 home win over Faroe Islands. Arber Zeneli was the star man for the home side as he scored the opening goal to set Kosovo on their way to victory, his strike coming from one of two shots. Two successful dribbles and two key passes capped off a fine attacking performance from the 23-year-old, who gained a WhoScored rating of 7.88 as a result of his showing. 

 

Andorra 1-1 Kazakhstan: Yuri Logvinenko - 8.30 rating 

 

Kazakhstan absolutely dominated Andorra, enjoying 72.8% possession, but were unable to translate that into goals. It took until the 68th minute for the visitors to open the scoring, that coming courtesy of centre-back and WhoScored man of the match Yuri Logvinenko. In addition to his goal, the defender won 10 aerial duels, made one tackle, two interceptions and one clearance to earn a 8.30 rating. 

 

Montenegro 2-0 Lithuania: Marko Jankovic - 8.33 rating 

 

Montenegro landed a 2-0 win over Lithuania to move to the top of group 4 in league C to set up a tense encounter with Serbia next month. Marko Jankovic scored Montenegro’s second goal of the evening in the victory, with his goal coming from one of three shots, while three key passes and two successful dribbles helped the 23-year-old gain a WhoScored rating of 8.33, that enough to land the man of the match award. 

 

Serbia 2-2 Romania: Aleksandar Mitrovic - 8.28 rating 

 

Aleksandar Mitrovic has been in stunning form for Serbia of late and he added to his fine return for the national team as he netted twice in Serbia’s 2-2 draw with Romania. The Fulham frontman netted each of Serbia’s goals from a total of five shots, while an additional two aerial duels won meant Mitrovic was good value for his WhoScored man of the match award, doing so with an 8.28 rating. 

 

Scotland 2-0 Albania: John McGinn - 7.92 rating 

 

John McGinn has made a fine start to life with Aston Villa and continued his good club form in Scotland’s 2-0 win over Albania. The 23-year-old may not have had a direct hand in a goal in the victory, but churned out a solid all-round display, completing two dribbles, making one key pass, four tackles and two interceptions to gain a WhoScored rating of 7.92, that enough to land the man of the match award. 

 

Sweden 2-3 Turkey: Isaac Thelin - 8.28 rating 

 

The game of the night came from the Friends Arena as Turkey battled from 2-1 down to win 3-2 late on. While the Sweden rearguard disappointed, striker Isaac Thelin impressed on the frontline as he scored their first and provided the assist for their second. His goal came from two shots, and assist from three key passes. Eight aerial duels won helped the forward earn a WhoScored rating of 8.28 in the entertaining encounter. 

 

Portugal 1-0 Italy: Joao Cancelo - 8.31 rating 

 

 

Rounding off the eight games is Portugal’s 1-0 win over Italy in group 3 of league A. While not a stand out affair, Portugal were good value for their victory with left-back Joao Cancelo the man of the match with a WhoScored rating of 8.31. He got forward well, completing two dribbles, and defended resiliently as he made four tackles and five interceptions to keep the Italy attack at bay

UEFA Nations League round-up: Monday's top performers in detail