Thursday November 11, 2021
Red for Portugal’s record player
Spain punished Ibrahimovic’s weakness
Portugal did not win their penultimate game in the World Cup qualification, but took over the championship lead despite a red card for Pepe. Ibrahimovic’s Swedes broke into an all-or-playoff game, as did Russia and Croatia.
The Spanish national soccer team has benefited from Sweden’s slip and taken a big step towards qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Iberians prevailed 1-0 (1-0) in Greece thanks to a converted penalty from Pablo Sarabia (25th). Since Sweden had already lost 2-0 (0-0) in Georgia in the comeback of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Spain climbed to first place in Group B. The decision as to which nation will qualify directly will be made this Sunday. For the Greeks, on the other hand, it’s over after qualifying.
The 40-year-old Ibrahimovic, who wore the Swedish national jersey for the first time since March, returned to the Blagult team in the spring after five years, after which he was absent from the 2021 European Championship due to injury. First he suffered a knee injury, then an Achilles tendon irritation prevented his 119th assignment for his country.
Portugal has also taken the lead in the standings, but Cristiano Ronaldo’s team couldn’t get past Ireland 0-0. When sharing the points, the 38-year-old Pepe became the oldest national player in the history of the European champions from 2016, the warhorse flew off the pitch in the 82nd minute after an elbow strike with yellow-red. At 38 years, 8 months and 16 days, he surpassed former goalkeeper Vitor Damas’ mark by 13 days.
The decision in Group A will also only be made on Sunday, when Portugal will host Serbia, this time free of play, in Lisbon. Azerbaijan also had to end the home game against Luxembourg in the minority. Both the home side and Luxembourg, who separated 1: 3 (0: 0), no longer have a chance of a World Cup ticket.
It remains exciting in Group H, where there will also be a real final on Sunday about the Qatar trip. Russia solved its mandatory task against Cyprus brilliantly 6-0 (1-0). With 22 points, Primus Russia takes on vice world champions Croatia (20) in Split, who won 7-1 (4-0) in Malta. The decisive man for the Russians was the St. Petersburg local hero Alexander Jerochin, who scored the first goal in the fourth minute and the last goal in the 87th.
Former world footballer Luka Modric and Hoffenheim’s Andrej Kramaric were successful for Croatia. Slovakia also played 2-2 (0-1) against Slovenia. Miha Blazic saw the yellow-red card among the guests after 57 minutes. Behind the German team, Group J remains exciting. With a 5-0 (2-0) win in Armenia, North Macedonia pushed past the Romanians, who had to be content with a 0-0 win against Iceland.