[ad_1]
Spain, Portugal and Croatia are only one game away from qualifying for the World Cup, while Sweden’s hopes suffered a heavy blow with an astonishing defeat on Thursday.
Spain defeated Greece 1-0, thanks to Pablo Sarabia’s penalty kick to surpass Sweden. Sweden lost 2-0 in Georgia, which had already been eliminated. On Sunday, Spain will host Sweden in three winner-takes-all matches to determine the World Cup seats.
After Cristiano Ronaldo’s team drew a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ireland, another decisive game was Portugal against Serbia. Croatia and Russia also compete for a place in Qatar after their respective victories on Thursday.
Only the group winner is automatically qualified, and the second-placed team will enter the playoffs with the two teams selected in the National League. The 12 teams in the playoffs will compete for three seats in the form of four teams in the Qatar World Cup next year.
Group A
Portugal’s ball-free draw in Dublin was not impressive, but it was enough.
The points scored by Portugal in the game against Ireland allowed them to easily lead their group rivals Serbia in the goal difference standings. This means that when Portugal faces Serbia in Lisbon on Sunday, a draw is enough to automatically advance. They drew 2-2 in the early stages of qualifying.
For veteran Pepe, it was a bittersweet game. At the age of 38, he became the oldest player to start in Portugal, but was sent off due to two yellow cards and will be due to a key match against Serbia. And was suspended.
Next year’s World Cup host, Qatar, defeated Serbia 4-0 in a friendly match, defeating Serbia for the seventh consecutive game and not scoring a goal for the third consecutive game.
World Cup qualifiers: Japan approaches the group leader in Asian qualifiers
Qatar played home and away friendly matches with the teams in Group A while qualifying, but did not achieve much success. If Qatar’s result is included in the group table, it will rank fifth among the six teams, second only to Azerbaijan, with the group’s worst defensive record, conceding 20 goals.
Group B
Sweden’s fate in qualifying is in its own hands, let it slip away.
Kazan Rubin’s 20-year-old winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia may be little known outside of the Russian league where he often participates, but he had a huge impact in two goals in the second half that surprised Sweden.
This gives Spain a chance to surpass Sweden and take advantage before the decisive game against the Swedes on Sunday.
Spain had to work hard in the 1-0 victory over Greece and was locked in by a penalty kick, but led Sweden by one point. Spain only needs to avoid defeating Sweden in Seville. They drew 0-0 in the same city at this year’s European Championship.
Losing to Spain ensures that Greece cannot qualify.
Group H
Both Russia and Croatia beat their opponents in the competition. This is just a warm-up match for their qualifying tiebreaker. Croatia will host Russia on Sunday, and the winner will automatically qualify for the World Cup. If there is a tie, Russia will advance.
Asian World Cup qualifiers: Iran remains unbeaten, Skocic’s team breaks the Lebanese’s heart
Russia beat Cyprus 6-0 to set a mark, Croatia beat Malta 7-1, and Lovro Magjer scored two goals. Malta’s goal also came from Croatian players, Marcelo Brozovic scored in the first half, rewriting the score to 2-1.
If the 2018 World Cup runner-up Croatia is to automatically qualify for the game to be held in Qatar next year, it will need to become the first team to defeat Russia under the leadership of new coach Valery Karpin. His team has conceded only one goal in six games in Kalpin.
Group J
After midfielder Leon Goretzka was hit in the head and neck by his opponent’s boots, Germany has qualified for the World Cup and defeated Liechtenstein 9-0.
Gorecka was very good. This incident caused Liechtenstein to receive a red card early and start scoring free throws. Leroy Sané and Thomas Müller each scored two goals, as well as two own goals.
North Macedonia leads the playoffs after beating Armenia 5-0 and will beat Iceland to take second place on Sunday. Romania’s qualifying hopes were shattered in a 0-0 draw with Iceland.
[ad_2]
Source link
