Denmark and Albania superior to the European Championship on Friday and title-holder Italy obtained a vital win forward of a showdown recreation in opposition to Ukraine.
Italy beat North Macedonia 5-2 to each avenge its elimination within the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs and guarantee it wants solely a draw in opposition to Ukraine on Monday to safe a spot at Euro 2024 in Germany. At stake is second place behind group winner England, which beat Malta 2-0 Friday.
Robert Lewandowski and Poland should undergo the playoffs in March after a 1-1 draw at residence to the Czech Republic ended its likelihood of advancing instantly with group chief Albania.
Albania kicked off earlier needing solely a degree in Moldova to safe its Euro 2024 place and did simply sufficient in a 1-1 draw.
Denmark ensured it should end prime of Group H by beating closest rival Slovenia 2-1 because of a 54th-minute purpose by midfielder Thomas Delaney.
That arrange one other decisive closing recreation Monday: Slovenia hosts Kazakhstan needing solely a draw to return to the Euros for the primary time since 2000. Kazakhstan, which beat San Marino 3-1, has by no means certified for a significant match.
England secured its place final month and a 2-0 win over Malta at Wembley Stadium was routine, as was Harry Kane scoring his Twenty fifth purpose in a prolific season for England and Bayern Munich.
The solely stunning second of drama was Kane being proven a yellow card after he was adjudged to have dived within the penalty space.
England is on the right track to be among the many group winners with the very best data who can be within the pot of top-seeded groups when the Euro 2024 match draw is made on Dec. 2 in Hamburg.
Including Denmark and Albania, 13 nations have now certified for the 24-team match, and eight extra will observe by the point the qualifying teams finish Tuesday.
The closing three locations are determined within the 12-team playoffs scheduled from March 21-26 for groups that didn’t end within the prime two of a qualifying group.
ITALY REDEEMED
Italy has dangerous latest recollections of taking part in North Macedonia at residence. In March final 12 months, Italy misplaced 1-0 to a stoppage-time purpose in Palermo and was eradicated from the 2022 World Cup playoffs.
There was redemption Friday at Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Even when a three-goal half-time lead had been reduce to 3-2 coming into the closing minutes, Italy rose once more reasonably than faltered.
“I liked the team in the second half,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti mentioned. “These matches reveal the level of personality and these lads have it. After the scoreline became 3-2, I expected them to suffer, to sit back. Instead, they responded very well, trying to attack even more.”
BRAZILIAN INFLUENCE
Brazilian coach Sylvinho goes to Euro 2024 along with his Albania group.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona left-back was appointed in January and has led Albania on a seven-game unbeaten run after beginning qualifying with a 1-0 loss at Poland in March.
Sylvinho has discovered success after lasting lower than a 12 months at his earlier jobs teaching Lyon and Corinthians.
Albania wanted only one level from its closing two Group E video games, after outperforming the higher-ranked Poles and Czechs, and obtained it on the first try Friday. Veteran ahead Sokol Cikalleshi’s Twenty fifth-minute penalty put Albania forward earlier than Moldova equalized within the 87th.
“After the last whistle, but really after nine months, working every day, it’s a dream, it’s a dream,” Sylvinho told Albanian media. “In fact, I should enjoy it. And that is why I am very pleased, like all of you.”
Thousands of Albanian followers gathered on the major Skanderbeg and Mother Teresa squares in Tirana to have a good time the consequence by waving nationwide flags and setting off fireworks. Cars drove by way of the middle of town blaring their horns and loud nationwide music.
After the 1-1 attract Poland, Albania is 2 factors forward of the Czech Republic and three away from Poland which has completed its program. Moldova trails by 4 factors however can nonetheless take second place and qualify.
Albania hosts the Faeroe Islands within the closing spherical Monday, when the Czechs host Moldova.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Entry to the three-tiered playoffs is determined by standings within the Nations League teams performed final 12 months earlier than the World Cup in Qatar.
The top-tier bracket of 4 groups will embrace Poland and both Croatia or Wales. Also Italy, if it loses to Ukraine on Monday.
The second-tier bracket will presumably embrace Israel and definitely Bosnia-Herzegovina and Finland, which beat Northern Ireland 4-0 on Friday. Ukraine may drop into it, too.
Nations League group winners Georgia and Greece are assured playoff spots within the third-tier bracket. Luxembourg will probably be a part of them.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
