Israel’s national football team beat Moldova 2-1 at home on Tuesday night, and striker Eran Jahavi scored the country’s record-breaking 33rd goal, but victory failed to make it possible. Revive Israel’s World Cup hopes.
Indeed, Scotland snatched a 1–0 win over the Faroe Islands in the 86th minute and are 4 points ahead of Israel in qualifying Group F, with only two games left.
Zahvi gave Israel the advantage in the 28th minute at Beer Sheva’s Turner Stadium, and celebrated Mordechai Spiegler’s scoring record by skyrocketing, imitating Spiegler’s celebration of ‘when he scored for Israel in the 1970 World Cup. .
Receive our daily edition for free by email so you don’t miss the best news free registration!
Zahvi scored Israel’s second goal at the start of the second half, before Moldovan Ion Nikolaescu scored a consolation goal late in the game.
With this win, Israel has got 13 points in Group F.
But Scotland, who beat Israel with a late goal in their 3-2 win in Glasgow on Saturday, scored another late goal against the Faroe Islands thanks to their striker Lyndon Dykes.
Scotland forward Lyndon Dykes scores the only goal against the Faroe Islands on October 12, 2021 in Torshon, Faroe Islands (Jonathan Knackstrand/AFP)
Scotland now have 17 points and sit firmly in second place in the group, progressing to a play-off that could see them qualify for next year’s World Cup final. Group leaders Denmark advanced to the final in Qatar with a 1–0 win over Austria, bringing the team to 24 points.
Israel striker Aran Zahvi celebrates his record-breaking 33rd national goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying football match between Israel and Moldova at the Turner Stadium in Beer Sheva on October 12, 2021 (Courtesy: JACK GUEZ/AFP)
Group F teams will play their last two qualifying matches on November 12 and 15. Israel will play on the road in Austria and then at home against the Faroe Islands; Scotland will play in Moldova and against Denmark at home.
Unless there are surprises, Scotland are expected to finish second in Group F after all qualifying matches, allowing them to secure a place in the playoffs and possibly a place in the World Cup; Israel will be annihilated. Scotland has not qualified since 1998, while Israel has not qualified since 1970.
Denmark became the second European team to qualify for the following year’s World Cup and maintain its perfect record in their team. Joaquim Mahle’s 53rd-minute goal at the Parken Stadium gave the Danes their eighth straight win in qualifying matches. He still hasn’t given up in Group F and is the only player to have a perfect record.
Germany were the first team to advance to the 2022 tournament in Qatar through qualifying, finishing first in their group on Monday.
Denmark reached World Cup qualifying without star midfielder Christian Eriksson, who is recovering from a cardiac arrest during the European Championship. They are one of the best teams on the continent and have reached the semi-finals of Euro 2020.
Total coffee specialist. Hardcore reader. Incurable music scholar. Web guru. Freelance troublemaker. Problem solver. Travel trailblazer.
