- In the European Championship qualification, Italy showed no weaknesses in Group C with a 4-0 win against Malta.
- Hungary celebrates an important success against Serbia in Group G.
- Everything is the same in Group H, where the top duo Slovenia and Denmark win.
Group C: Italy easily to 3 points
European champions Italy continue to have their sights firmly set on the European Football Championship in Germany, regardless of the unrest that has arisen in the surrounding area. The selection of the new national coach Luciano Spalletti easily beat outsiders Malta 4-0 in qualifying in Bari on Saturday and thus successfully defended second place in Group C behind England and ahead of Ukraine. On Thursday, Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo left the Italian national team camp after prosecutors informed them of an investigation into possible illegal gambling.
- Ukraine – North Macedonia 2-0
Heorhij Sudakov (30th) and Alexander Karawajew (90th + 5) scored the goals for the Ukrainians’ victory against North Macedonia. On November 20th there will be the second direct and probably decisive duel for the European Championship ticket between Ukraine and Italy in Leverkusen. The Italians won the first game 2-1. In the event of a tie, the direct comparison decides.
Group G: Hungary on the way to the European Championships
Hungary has taken an important step towards participation in the European Championship. Thanks to the 2-1 win against Serbia, the cushion over a non-qualification place has increased to 5 points. Freiburg’s Roland Sallai scored the decisive goal for Hungary, which could take part in a European Championship in Germany for the third time in a row. The Serbs are now facing a groundbreaking duel: if they lose at home against Montenegro on Tuesday, they will fall back to third place.
- Bulgaria – Lithuania 0:2
Bulgaria fell to bottom of the group after losing 2-0 to Lithuania. Pijus Sirvys scored both goals within 10 minutes shortly before and after the break (45th/55th), after Andrian Kraev had done his team a disservice with the yellow-red card before the break.
Group H: Status quo in the group
- Denmark – Kazakhstan 3:1
Even before the break, the home team set the course for victory in Copenhagen’s Parken. The Bundesliga duo Jonas Wind (36) and Robert Skov (45+2) put Denmark ahead against Kazakhstan. After the double packer Skov made it 3-0 – after a wonderful through ball from Christian Eriksen – the game was decided. The guests, who had so far been a surprise in the European Championship qualification, couldn’t expect more than a consolation goal. Denmark is in second place in Group H.
- Slovenia – Finland 3-0
Slovenia is still at the top of Group H. The 2000 European Championship participants easily won 3-0 against Finland, who were only 1 point behind before the direct encounter. The man of the game was Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko with his two goals before the break (16th/28th).
- Northern Ireland – San Marino 3-0
In the duel between the bottom two of the group, the British easily prevailed. After just 5 minutes, the home fans were rewarded for coming: great football art could be admired at Paul Smyth’s 1-0 win.