This means that seven European World Cups have now started, with Denmark, Germany, France and Belgium having already secured their tickets. Sweden, Portugal, Russia and North Macedonia will try their luck in the play-offs in March, where three more EM tickets will be awarded.
In addition to the ten runners-up in the group, the two best group winners of the Nations League are represented, one of which is the FB selection, one of the unseeded nations in the draw on 26 November in Zurich. With Ronaldo & Co., at least one top-class player could wait for a fix. “Sabornja” is also a potential rival.
serb shock portugal
The Portuguese made a dream start in Lisbon when Bernardo Silva took possession of the ball in a duel with Nemanja Gudelez, which was snatched by Renato Sanches and completed in the second minute.
The Serbs were anything but shocked and Vlahovic was unlucky with the pole shot (12th). The equalizer fell before the break as Rui could not contain a deflected shot from Patricio Dusan Tadic (33.). Even after the break, the Portuguese saw nothing but sovereignty and were penalized for it in the 90th minute. “Joker” Alexander Mitrovic leads his team after the Tadic cross in Qatar.
In Seville, the Spaniards were particularly keen not to score a goal. Despite the general high possession of the ball, hardly a top chance, the Swedes were for some time more dangerous. A volley from Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg passed through the far corner by only a hair’s width (38th), and Alexander Isaacs also finished 14 meters after passing into the clouds of a false Azplicaueta (48th). With the continuation of the second half, the Spaniards’ superiority increased, also thanks to “clown” lvaro Morata.
The striker missed two chances, but took the gold with the third. The 29-year-old reacted fastest after a shot from Olmo deflected against the crossbar and set the final score in the 86th minute. This is the twelfth time in a row that the Spaniards have made it to the final of the World Cup. Sweden’s old star Ibrahimovic could not really put himself in the limelight as the “Joker” from the 73rd minute. During the game, Harald Lechner served as the fourth officer.
Croatia celebrates in the rain of Split
The Croatians were better in a 1–0 win against Russia in Split, but the only goal was scored by unlucky Fedor Kudrijasho (81st) from his own goal. The left-back pushed the ball into his own goal after a cross in goal scorer style. The game was played in almost erratic conditions. Due to incessant rain, the ball came to a halt and coincidence played a role in many actions.
“I don’t cry very often, but this win was one of the greatest sporting moments of my life. The relief is huge. What we achieved today is priceless,” said Croatian team boss Zlatko Dalik, who recently went under pressure. After a “tough match”, offensive star Luka Modric was also relieved: “We had the luck we needed to score, but we deserved it as we performed. We were patient and believed in ourselves.”
Flick. Under Germany remains innocent
Despite Germany being in first place even before the qualifying finish, the Dfb-Elf in Armenia was not naked at 4:1. Kai Havertz (15th), Ilke Gundogan (45th + 4 / penalty, 50th) and Jonas Hoffmann (64th) ensured that the seventh game was won by Neo team boss Hansie Flick. Henrik Machitarjan scored the consolation goal with only a penalty. For North Macedonia, who finished second in the play-offs, Eljif Elmas became the match-winner with a brace (65th, 86th) in a 3–1 home win against Iceland. Despite a 2–0 win in Liechtenstein, Romania finished only third in Group J.
Teams that have qualified for the 2022 World Cup so far (Total 32 starting places / nine awarded): Qatar (hosts), Denmark, Germany, Brazil, France, Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, Spain
Fix Europa-play-off (twelve participants for three tickets): Austria, Scotland, Russia, North Macedonia, Portugal, Sweden
Total coffee specialist. Hardcore reader. Incurable music scholar. Web guru. Freelance troublemaker. Problem solver. Travel trailblazer.
