Israel 1-0 Belgium: Shua scores winner with Saba’s assist

Relegated Israel stunned Belgium 1-0 in their final Nations League match as Yarden Shua's late goal gave them their first win in the competition this season.

UEFA Nations League 2024/2025

1-0

• Yarden Shua (86')

Competition events

The Red Devils, who were without a number of key players for the draw in Hungary, were masters of their own demise as they gave Israel the winner with four minutes remaining.

In a cagey first half, Eli Dasa broke through the Belgian backline in the 24th minute and beat Koen Casteels with a sharp low effort but was denied by the foot of the far post.

Casteels was alert just before half-time and came down low to push Dor Peretz's low drive away from the bottom corner.

Domenico Tedesco's half-time team talk appeared to have helped his side as they piled on the pressure, with Lois Openda hitting the side netting before Johan Bakayoko forced a fingertip save from Daniel Peretz just after the hour.

However, in their haste to find a winner, Belgium were caught playing from the back. Dor Peretz latched onto Matte Smets' loose backpass and despite being in the box, Shua coolly picked out the bottom corner.

Israel finish bottom of Group A2 and are automatically relegated to League B, while Belgium are above them due to a superior goal difference in their head-to-head record. They now have to overcome a relegation play-off.

Data Debrief: Tough Times for Tedesco

It was a Nations League campaign to forget for Belgium, who managed just one win and ended with a whimper as they went winless in their last four games (D1 L3).

They just exceeded the shot count in Budapest, with twelve attempts to Israel's ten, but without the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne to call on, they lacked a clinical edge.

While Belgium have struggled in attack, their defensive struggles will also be a concern for Tedesco. They failed to win any of the four matches in which they fell behind in the group, earning only one point from a losing position.

0' The match is about to start!

5' Highlight of Israel vs Belgium

9' match event for Israel versus Belgium

14' match event for Israel versus Belgium

17' Highlight of Israel vs Belgium

23' match event for Israel versus Belgium

37' Highlight of Israel vs Belgium

39' match event for Israel versus Belgium

46' Highlight of Israel vs Belgium

53' Highlight of Israel vs Belgium

67' match event for Israel versus Belgium

82' Highlight of Israel vs Belgium

86' GOAL! Israel 1-0 Belgium (Yarden Shua)

Setups

Israel XI: Eli Dasa, Shon Goldberg, Dor Peretz, Dean David, Raz Shlomo, Manor Solomon, Mohammed Abu Fani, Idan Nachmias, Daniel Peretz, Mahmoud Jaber, Oscar Gloukh

Subs: Roi Mishpati, Dia Saba, Yoav Gerafi, Dan Biton, Dolev Haziza, Yarden Shua, Omri Gandelman, Ethane Azoulay, Dor Turgeman, Ilay Feingold, Anan Khalaili, Nikita Stoyanov

Belgium XI: Casteels, Trossard, Castagne, Wout Faes, Dodi Lukébakio, Mangala, Openda, Ameen Al-Dakhil, Arne Engels, Zeno Debast, Arthur Vermeeren

Subs: Sels, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Maarten Vandevoordt, Killian Sardella, Johan Bakayoko, Samuel Mbangula, Norman Bassette, Matte Smets