MILAN — Portugal became the first team to qualify for the Nations League semifinals when they held Italy 0-0 on Saturday, the second time in a year that the hosts have been knocked out of a competition following a goalless draw at the San Siro.

Italy, with defender Giorgio Chiellini making his 100th appearance, suffocated Portugal in the first hour with their pressing and created numerous openings with their intricate passing moves.

But they ran out of steam in the last half hour and the European champions held out fairly comfortably. Portugal have seven points from three games in the three-team group, two ahead of Italy who have finished their campaign. Poland, who visit Portugal for the group's final game on Tuesday, have one point and have already been relegated.

They are also in line to host the semifinals and finals in June as Italy and Poland were the only other two countries to express an interest in staging the tournament. The decision still has to be ratified by UEFA on Dec. 3.

Last November, Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 60 years after being held by Sweden at the same stadium. Italy had an early chance when Lorenzo Insigne's long-range shot was parried by Rui Patricio and Ciro Immobile blasted the rebound over the bar.

In what was a hugely promising display by Roberto Mancini's side, Alessandro Florenzi drove a low shot narrowly wide before Marco Verratti threaded a ball through to Immobile and this time Patricio saved the shot with his leg.

Romania routs Lithuania

to keep alive hopes

In Ploiesti, Romania kept alive their slim hopes of finishing top in Group 4 in the third tier of the Nations League after George Puscas's first international goal set them on their way to a 3-0 win over Lithuania on Saturday.

Second-half strikes by Claudiu Keseru and Nicolae Stanciu wrapped up a comfortable victory that left the unbeaten Romanians second on nine points from five games. They are two points behind leaders Serbia and two ahead of third-placed Montenegro, who can no longer clinch top spot. Lithuania, who have no points, were relegated.

The game at the Ilie Oana Stadium in Ploiesti was played behind closed doors after Romania were hit with a supporter ban by UEFA following "racist behavior" in the crowd during the game against Serbia last month. Romania visit Montenegro in their final game on Tuesday while Serbia, who beat the Montenegrins 2-1 earlier on Saturday, are at home to Lithuania.

Serbia eyes Nations

League promotion

In Belgrade, Serbia closed in on promotion to the Nations League second tier after a 2-1 home win over neighbors Montenegro on Saturday left them top of Group 4 in League C.

The Serbians, who won with first-half goals from Adem Ljajic and Aleksandar Mitrovic, have 11 points from five games, four more than Montenegro. Ljajic and Mitrovic, who also missed a penalty, put Serbia in the driving seat but they were forced to hang on after Stefan Mugosa pulled one back in the 70th minute.

Scotland boost promotion

chances with win in Albania

Scotland's hopes of earning promotion to League B of the Nations League were boosted after a convincing 4-0 win over 10-man Albania in Shkoder on Saturday.

Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser gave Scotland the lead in the 14th minute, before Albania captain Mergim Mavraj was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession seven minutes later.

The visitors took full advantage of the numerical advantage, plundering three more unanswered goals, starting with Steven Fletcher's penalty in first half stoppage time.

James Forrest's second-half double made sure of Alex McLeish's third win of his second spell in charge of Scotland, meaning they can win Nations League Group C1 if they beat Israel at Hampden Park on Tuesday.

Topping their group would also cement a top three place in the 2020 European Championship qualifying draw, and a playoff spot should they fail to reach the finals directly.

Sweden beats Turkey to set

up showdown with Russia

Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist lashed home a penalty to secure a 1-0 away win over Turkey in their UEFA Nations League B, Group 2 clash on Saturday, relegating the Turks and setting up a decisive final game against leaders Russia.

Having thrown away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 when the sides met in Stockholm, Sweden coach Janne Andersson sent out a defensively-minded team, with defender Martin Olsson slotting in on the left wing.

Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen made two superb reflex saves and when Granqvist was given the chance from the spot in the 71st minute, after Marcus Berg was pulled down, he made no mistake, rifling the ball low to the keeper's right.

Sweden, with four points after three games, will win the group if they beat Russia, who have seven points, in Stockholm on Tuesday. Turkey, who have three points after four games, drop down to League C