Denmark and Albania on Friday advanced to the UEFA Euro 2024, while title-holders Italy got a crucial win ahead of a showdown against Ukraine.
Italy beat North Macedonia 5-2 to avenge their elimination in the qualifying playoffs for last year’s FIFA World Cup and ensure they need only a draw against Ukraine on Monday to secure a place at Euro 2024 in Germany.
At stake is second place behind group winners England, who beat Malta 2-0 on Friday.
Photo: AFP
Robert Lewandowski and Poland must go through the playoffs in March after a 1-1 draw at home to the Czech Republic ended their chance of advancing directly with group leaders Albania.
Albania began earlier, needing only a point in Moldova to secure their Euro 2024 place and did just enough in a 1-1 draw.
Denmark ensured they would finish top of Group H by beating closest rival Slovenia 2-1 thanks to a 54th-minute goal by midfielder Thomas Delaney.
Photo: Reuters
That set up another decisive final game Monday: Slovenia host Kazakhstan needing only a draw to return to the Euros for the first time since 2000. Kazakhstan, who beat San Marino 3-1, have never qualified for a major tournament.
Including Denmark and Albania, 13 countries have now qualified for the 24-team tournament, and eight more are to follow by the time the qualifying groups end on Tuesday.
The final three places are decided in the 12-team playoffs scheduled from March 21 to 26 for teams who did not finish in the top two of a qualifying group.
Italy have bad recent memories of playing North Macedonia at home. In March last year, Italy lost 1-0 to a stoppage-time goal in Palermo and were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup playoffs.
There was redemption on Friday at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Even when a three-goal half-time lead had been cut back to 3-2 entering the closing minutes, Italy rose again rather than faltered.
“I liked the team in the second half,” Italy coach Luciano Spalletti said. “These matches reveal the level of personality and these lads have it. After the scoreline became 3-2, I expected them to suffer, to sit back. Instead, they responded very well, trying to attack even more.”
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