Germany holds on to beat Ukraine for 1st Nations League win

Germany finally won a Nations League game at the seventh attempt on Saturday, holding on to beat Ukraine 2-1 to ease the pressure growing on coach Joachim Löw.

Defender Matthias Ginter and midfielder Leon Gortezka scored to give Löw’s team its first win in Group 4 of League A, its first of the year, and coming after three games including the friendly against Turkey in which it squandered leads to draw.

A late penalty from Ruslan Malinovskyi ensured another nervy ending, but a Ukraine side depleted by coronavirus cases and injuries was unable to draw level. Andriy Shevchenko’s side was thrashed by France 7-1 in their friendly on Wednesday.

Ukraine's Serhiy Sydorchuk, left, and Germany's Leon Goretzka challenge for the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Germany at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct.10, 2020. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

After drawing with Turkey 3-3 in Cologne the same day, Löw restored his regular players in Kyiv, building the team around the Bayern Munich “block” of Manuel Neuer, Niklas Süle, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry. Leipzig’s Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg, and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos also returned to the starting lineup.

None of them were involved in the opening goal, however, down to good work from defender Antonio Rüdiger, who beat his marker and crossed low for Ginter to convert at the far post in the 20th minute. Gnabry tried a back-heel but failed to connect fully before the ball reached Ginter.

It was far from convincing from the visitors, who remained prone to mistakes under pressure from the home side.

Germany's Joachim Low stands on the touchline during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Germany at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct.10, 2020. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

A miscued back-pass from Ginter would likely have been punished by Shevchenko in his prime, but the Milan great, now the Ukraine coach, could urge his makeshift team only from the sideline.

Heorhiy Bushchan produced a fine save to stop a dipping shot from Kimmich, then a header from Gnabry, though Germany’s mistakes in buildup play continued.

A mistake from Bushchan gifted the visitors their second goal in the 49th. Klostermann’s cross was simple for the goalkeeper to gather, but he dropped the ball for the grateful Goretzka to head in.

Germany's Serge Gnabry reacts after missing a scoring chance during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Germany at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct.10, 2020. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

Süle conceded a penalty with a mistimed challenge on Roman Yaremchuk, and Malinovskyi converted from the spot to give the hosts hope in the 77th.

This time, Germany held on.

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Germany's Niklas Sule in action during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Germany at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct.10, 2020. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

Germany's Joshua Kimmich, left, and Ukraine's Viktor Kovalenko challenge for the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Germany at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct.10, 2020. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

Germany's Antonio Rudiger, left, and Ukraine's Ruslan Malinovskyi challenge for the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Ukraine and Germany at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Oct.10, 2020. (AP PhotoEfrem Lukatsky)

TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 on Sunday night in the first of back-to-back meetings between short-handed teams.

Barnes made the first of two from the line and intentionally missed the second as Toronto won its third straight home meeting with the 76ers. He finished 10 for 12 at the line.

Barnes scored 31 points, Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 and Immanuel Quickley had 20 as Toronto won its third straight at home. Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 points and matched his career-high with 15 rebounds.

Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers and VJ Edgecombe had 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow and Quentin Grimes each scored 13 points but Philadelphia lost for the second time in seven games.

Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (left knee and left groin) and Paul George (left knee) both sat out on the first night of this back-to-back.

Barnes returned after sitting out Friday’s loss at Boston because of a sore right knee but RJ Barrett was inactive because of a sprained left ankle. Brandon Ingram (right thumb) missed his second straight game and Jakob Poeltl (lower back) missed his 10th straight. There is no timetable for Poeltl’s return.

Ja’Kobe Walter started for the Raptors but exited four minutes into the first quarter because of a sore right hip.

Philadelphia had 22 turnovers, one shy of matching a season-high. The 76ers' 11 assists were a season-low.

Toronto finished 5 for 32 (.156) from 3-point range, its worst shooting percentage from distance this season.

The 76ers and Raptors play in Toronto again on Monday night.

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Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, bottom right, rolls on the court as play continues behind him during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) looks to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona, top, looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net as Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Trendon Watford (12) and Adem Bona (30) defend during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona (30) looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)