On Saturday 14 November, Cyprus came from behind to beat Luxembourg 2-1 in Nicosia in the UEFA Nations League, League C, Group 1, earning their only second-ever UEFA Nations League victory, and their first of this campaign which knocked Luxembourg off top spot.
Luxembourg went ahead in the fifth minute thanks to an own goal by Kousoulos. Cyprus failed to effectively clear their lines, with Muratovic quickest to react to a loose ball in the penalty area. His low cross, which nutmegged Demetriou, was turned into his own net by Kousoulos.
Then, in the 34th minute, came the turning point of the match when Luxembourg's Selimovic was shown a red card - he was adjudged to have impeded Ilia in the box. Until then, Luxembourg had showed why they are group leaders for much of the half. Kastanos scored from the resulting penalty to draw level with the visitors. In the second half, Kastanos scored again, this time from open play in the 71st minute which turned out to be the winner - he latched on to Ilia's perfectly-weighted through ball and fired past the onrushing Moris in the Luxembourg goal.
These goals were Cyprus' first of their Nations League campaign.
This result was a shock as the Red Lions were expected to defeat the Cypriots, even if the match was played on the Mediterranean island. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan held Montenegro to a scoreless draw. Montenegro now top the group with 10 points, from Luxembourg on 9 points.
Luxembourg's last game in the group is at home to Azerbaijan next Tuesday, 17 November, at 20:45, the same evening that Montenegro entertain Cyprus.
