UPDATE 1-Soccer-Belarus clinch promotion from League D, Hungary surprise Finland


Reuters | Updated: 19-11-2018 03:54 IST | Created: 19-11-2018 03:54 IST

Belarus clinched promotion to UEFA Nations League C with a comfortable 2-0 win away to hapless San Marino on Sunday, while Luxembourg drew 1-1 away to Moldova in the other League D Group 2 game.

Elsewhere, Hungary were winners in League C over already-promoted Finland, while Greece suffered a shock defeat at home by Estonia.

Stanislaw Drahun scored his fifth goal of the competition and his 10th for his country to give visitors Belarus the lead in the eighth minute against San Marino, who have failed to take a single point in the Nations League.

Belarus only needed a draw to guarantee top spot in the group but they were still dominant in both halves and wasted several chances to increase their lead.

They finally did so early in the second half when Anton Saroka turned in a low cross from the lively Drahun, sealing first place with 14 points from six unbeaten games.

Luxembourg and Moldova each had faint hopes of grabbing the promotion place, requiring a win in their game as well as needing Belarus to lose in San Marino.

Radu Ginsari put hosts Moldova in front from the penalty spot in the 58th minute but their lead did not last long. Stefano Bensi levelled for Luxembourg by smashing the ball in off the crossbar, meaning his side finished second in the group on 10 points, while Moldova ended the campaign on nine.

Hungary took second spot in League C Group 2 by beating Finland 2-0 at home, climbing above Greece, who had a surprise 1-0 defeat at home by already-relegated Estonia.

First-half goals from Adam Szalai and Adam Nagy put Hungary on their way to a third victory in six games and inflicted a second-straight loss on group winners Finland, who had clinched promotion on Thursday despite losing 1-0 away to Greece.

Estonia meanwhile earned a first ever win over Greece thanks to an own goal from Vasilis Lampropoulos right before halftime, also giving the visitors their first win in the Nations League.

Finland finished top of the group with 12 points from six games, Hungary were second with 10, Greece came third with nine while Estonia had four. (Reporting by Richard Martin Editing by Christian Radnedge)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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