Almost smooth World Cup qualification: Of the big players, only Germany fails


Almost smooth World Cup qualification
Of the big players, only Germany fails

While the DFB-Elf embarrassed themselves in the World Cup qualification, the other greats of European football keep themselves harmless. A Leipzig man scores for Spain, France has to tremble, Italy continues a pleasing series of results.

Italy and England each celebrated their third victory in the third game in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup – world champions France and ex-champion Spain also prevailed against outsiders at the end of the first qualifying phase. The Spaniards won 3-1 (2-0) against Kosovo in Seville. It was the clearest success so far for the selection with RB Leipzig professional Dani Olmo after the disappointing 1: 1 against Greece and the happy 2: 1 in Georgia. A double strike from Olmo (34th minute) – the match winner against the Georgians – and Ferran Torres (36th) put the 2010 world champion in the duel of the B group on course. After the surprising goal for the guests by Besar Halimi (70th), Gerard Moreno made everything clear (75th).

France struggled after the disappointing 1: 1 against Ukraine and 2: 0 in Kazakhstan to a 1: 0 (0: 0) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann scored after an hour in Sarajevo for the world champions, who lead Group D. England took the lead in the happy 2-1 (1-0) against Poland in London through Harry Kane (19./Foul penalty), Jakub Moder equalized (58th) – but Harry Maguire (85th) redeemed the Three Lions, the celebrated their third victory after beating San Marino 5-0 and Albania 2-0. The guests suffered their first defeat in Group I without the injured world footballer Robert Lewandowski.

Like England, Italy got off to a great start. After two 2-0 successes in Group C against Northern Ireland and Bulgaria, the Azzurri also won 2-0 (0-0) in Lithuania. Stefano Sensi (47th) and Ciro Immobile (90th + 4 / penalty kick) scored in Vilnius. Only the winners of the ten groups will qualify directly for the World Cup in Qatar at the end of 2022.

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