Resurgent Israel beat Albania to go top of group in Nations League soccer

Israel’s national soccer tam won their second game in a row on Sunday, beating visiting Albania 2-0 to go top of their group in the UEFA Nations League.

A long pass from goalkeeper Ariel Harush set up Israel’s first goal by Tomer Hemed in League C in the game played in Beersheba.

Harush also made a series of saves before Israel got its second from Dia Seba.

Israel, with six points, is three points ahead of Scotland and Albania atop Group 1.

Scotland were playing a friendly against Portugal, loosing 3-1.

This was Israel’s second consecutive victory, ending a run of 8 games where they managed only one win — over minnows Lichtenstein.

Last week Israel recovered from a goal down in Haifa to defeat Scotland 2-1.
Charlie Mulgrew put the Scots ahead with a 25th-minute penalty but midfielder Dor Peretz levelled for Israel in the 52nd minute.

Scotland’s Callum McGregor (L) shoots by Israel’s Omri Ben Harush during Nations League game in Haifa, Israel, Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Scotland were reduced to 10 men after an hour when defender John Souttar was sent off before Celtic’s Kieran Tierney turned a cross from Beram Kayal past his own goalkeeper Allan McGregor with 16 minutes remaining.

The result ended Scotland’s seven-match undefeated run in competitive outings stretching back to November 2016.