world cup qualification
Denmark is about to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. The Scandinavians won their sixth game in the group with Austria with a 5-0 win against Israel on Tuesday. The goal difference of the EM semifinalists is 22:0. With four outstanding games and now seven points ahead of his first rival Scotland, the Dane will probably buy his Qatar ticket as early as the October game.
At Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium, Israel faced Danish attacks for nearly half an hour three days after a 5–2 home win against the OFB team, before Yusuf Poulsen dusted off after a shot, only to be struck by goalkeeper Ophir Marciano ( 28th) for a short time. Then things went very quickly: captain Simon Kajar led the free kick (31st), striker Andreas Skov Olsson swung into the far corner (41st).
Unlike Austria, Israel did not manage a single shot on the opposing goal for 45 minutes. Coach Willie Rattensteiner’s team had nothing to gain even after switching sides. Thomas Delaney (58th) and Andreas Cornelius (92nd) also scored in front of enthusiastic spectators.
Griezmann wins France thanks to doubles
World champions and Group D leaders France held their way to victory after two draws against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine. There was a 2–0 home win for “Blus” against Finland in Lyon. The lead actors were Karim Benzema and Antoine Griezmann, who kept the Finnish defense busy. Atletico Madrid’s Griezmann scored 1-0 (25th) with Real striker Benzema. Griezmann scored 2-0 (53rd) after the break.
Portugal extended their lead against Serbia in Group A. While the Portuguese won 3-0 in Azerbaijan without their suspended superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the Serb in Ireland had to be content with a 1-1 draw after scoring a late goal.
Netherlands beat Turkey
The Netherlands knocked out Turkey in Group G after a 6–1 win in a straight duel from first place. Davie Klaasen scored after 54 seconds in Amsterdam, followed by Barcelona striker Memphis Depay (19th) and scored 3:0 (38th). Klaasen was knocked off his feet by Kaglar Soyunku. Another foul on Depay (44th) was immediately followed by a yellow-red card by the Turkish central defender. Depay eventually outlined his top form with his third goal that evening (54th).
Bondscoch Louis van Gaal’s team is now ahead of the Norwegians with the same number of points. Thanks to three goals from Erling Haaland, he completed the mandatory task with a 5–1 home win against Gibraltar.
In Group H, Croatia and Russia won in lockstep. A 2–0 win against Malta was easier for the Russians than the vice-world champions who beat Slovenia 3–0. Marco Livaza (33.), Mario Pasalic (66.) and Nikola Vlasic (94.) scored in the split. Two Bundesliga fighters played for the Slovenes, with Benjamin Cesco (Salzburg) and John Gorenc-Stankovic (Sturm Graz).
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