Weekend Review: Nations League and Fury versus Wilder bout share the limelight

A void in Premier League action this weekend was filled by international football, an epic heavyweight boxing clash and top-quality horseracing on the flat.

In the Nations League final, world champions France (8/5) came from a goal down to triumph 2-1 over Spain (15/8) in the San Siro.

Mikel Oyarzabal had given the Spaniards the lead with a fine left foot strike past France captain Hugo Lloris before Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema fired a world-class finish home to restore parity after less than two minutes.

Kylian Mbappe then stroked home a contentious winner after officials judged Eric Garcia had deliberately played the ball in his miscued attempt to clear with the PSG forward occupying an offside position.

👏 New name on the Nations League trophy!

🇫🇷2⃣0⃣2⃣1⃣🏆#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/aWPmOJ76Z6

— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) October 10, 2021

Kindred Group’s Ali Gill said: “In the absence of Premier League, the Nations League took centre stage this weekend. A very well backed France took the crown with a 2-1 win over Spain which left us well in the red.”

Betfred’s Alan Firkins revealed to EGR that Italy’s (6/5) 2-1 loss to Spain (13/5) in the semi-finals earlier in the week put the bookie up against it going into the final.

He said: “Football turnover was unsurprisingly down on a normal weekend, but Nations League business was good, although we were always destined to struggle once Italy got knocked out, as the other three were all losers in the ante post book.”

Elsewhere, Tyson Fury (4/11) cemented himself as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time after emerging victorious from his trilogy bout with American fighter Deontay Wilder (5/2).

In a thrilling fight with multiple knockdowns, the Gypsy King delivered the knockout blow in the 11^th round to retain the titles he won from Wilder in their second fight last year.

Kicking off your week with the greatest heavyweight of his era…@Tyson_Fury 👑 pic.twitter.com/II4UI6N6qB

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) October 11, 2021

Gill said: “Tyson Fury once again confirmed his position at the pinnacle of the heavyweight division with a KO win over Deontay Wilder.

“Perhaps slightly surprisingly, the turnover split on the results market was fairly even, and although Fury to win by KO, TKO and DQ was the third most popular bet, we managed to come out of the fight comfortably in the black,” he added.

William Hill’s Rupert Adams said it was a “pretty bad weekend for the bookies” with little solace across the board.

He said: “Fury had us on the canvas as well – we got smashed and the only relief is he did not win it in the last.”

Over at Newmarket, trainer Charlie Appleby was a happy man after landing a high-profile double on Saturday.

Native Trail powered clear under jockey William Buick to take the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at odds of 4/5, while Coroebus, also piloted by Buick, was victorious in the Autumn Stakes.

👌 Four from four
🏆 Two-time Group 1 winner

The exciting Native Trail lands the Darley Dewhurst Stakes for William Buick, Charlie Appleby and @godolphin @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/M0in8maJzl

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 9, 2021

As a result, the bookmakers have cut the odds on Native Trail and Coroebus for next May’s 2000 Guineas.

Firkins said: “Trainer Charlie Appleby was busy mopping up at Newmarket. Brilliant wins for his Native Trail and Coroebus mean both now dominate the betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas, at 3/1 and 9/2 respectively.”

Adams concluded: “Saturday racing was not great, with Native Trail the worst result on what was one not to remember.”