Sinani brace propels Luxembourg to second in Nations League group

Danel Sinani netted a brace to help Luxembourg beat Cyprus 2-0 in the Nations League - with the 23-year-old seeing a goal disallowed to prevent him from getting a hat-trick.

The attacking midfielder scored twice as his country moved up to second in League C Group 1 - trailing Montenegro by three points.

Sinani’s first saw him time a run perfectly before latching onto a through pass by Vincent Thill. The City loan export curled his effort into the net to give Luxembourg the lead after 12 minutes.

Later in the first-half, Sinani doubled his goal tally. He carried the ball into the Cyprus half before teeing up Thill for a shot. The CD Nacional midfielder saw his effort saved but it fell kindly for Sinani who sweeped the ball into the net.

He was denied his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time after curling an effort into the net from the outside of the box. The linesman judged that Dirk Carlson was offside.

Sinani joined the Canaries from Luxembourg top-flight F91 Dudelange on a free transfer after seeing his contract expire. Despite featuring in pre-season under Daniel Farke, the midfielder was loaned to Belgian First Division side Waasland-Beveren.