- Denmark (2-1 win against Slovenia) and Albania (1-1 in Moldova) are traveling to the European Championship finals in Germany next year.
- Italy could follow suit on Monday. Luciano Spalletti’s team still needs a point after beating North Macedonia 5-2 to secure second place in Group C.
Group H: Denmark is through
- Denmark – Slovenia 2:1
Thomas Delaney became the match winner in the 54th minute at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen. The midfielder pushed the ball past Jan Oblak into the net to make it 2-1. Erik Janza was able to counter Joakim Maehle’s opening goal in the first half with a direct free kick. While Denmark is certain of qualifying for the tournament in Germany, the Slovenians will duel at home with Kazakhstan on Monday for the second direct ticket.
- Kazakhstan – San Marino 3:1
The match winner in Kazakhstan’s 3-1 home win in the Astana Arena was winger Islam Chesnokov. The 23-year-old single-handedly put the hosts on the road to victory with his brace to make it 2-0 (19th/51st). His two wonderful goals from distance were his first ever in the national team. Also special: San Marino scored twice in a European Championship qualifying game for the first time since June 2005 (!).
- Moldova – Albania 1:1
Albania has qualified for a European Championship for the second time (after the 2016 European Championship). A draw was enough for the team of former Brazilian international Sylvinho. In the Group E table, the Albanians can only be pushed out of first place by the Czech Republic. For a long time in Chisinau it even looked like Albania’s 5th win in the 7th game before Vladislav Baboglo shook the stadium with his 1-1 draw in the 87th minute. In the first half, Albania took the lead with a penalty from Sokol Cikalleshi (25th) after a foul on ex-YB player Taulant Seferi.
The Czech Republic missed out on following Albania with a win. However, Tomas Soucek’s 1-1 equalizer in Warsaw ended the home team’s hopes of direct qualification for the 2024 tournament. Poland, which had taken a 1-0 lead through Jakub Piotrowski, has already completed its workload and can no longer do so move up to one of the top two places. The Czech Republic could make up for what they missed on Monday: then a draw against Moldova in front of their home crowd would be enough.
- Finland – Northern Ireland 4-0
Group C: Italy improves starting position
- Italy – North Macedonia 5:2
Thanks to a very strong Federico Chiesa, Italy fulfilled their duty against North Macedonia and caught up with Ukraine, who had no games, in Group C on points. On Monday (live on SRF from 8:35 p.m.) there will be a showdown for second place behind England. A draw is enough for Luciano Spalletti’s team due to their better record against Ukraine.
Before the break, Chiesa scored a brace with impressive goals to make it 2-0 (41st) and 3-0 (45th+3). Matteo Darmian gave Italy an early lead in Rome. Jorginho, who had already been a penalty sinner against Switzerland twice in the World Cup qualifiers, failed miserably from the spot immediately before Chiesa’s first goal. North Macedonia came dangerously close to winning a point after the break thanks to double goalscorer Jani Atanasov, but Giacomo Raspadori and Stephan El Shaarawy made the decision in the final phase.
Although there wasn’t much at stake for England against football dwarf Malta, coach Gareth Southgate allowed captain Harry Kane to play from the start. And the “Three Lions” record goalscorer delivered: In the 75th minute he scored his 62nd goal for England, Declan Rice’s 3-0 win just one turn of the pointer later was disallowed after VAR consultation. After a strange own goal from Malta defender Enrico Pepe, the home team was already 1-0 in the 8th minute.