Croatia Secures Third European Spot at World Football Championship
Rijeka, Croatia – Croatia became the third European nation to qualify for the 2024 World Football Championship on monday, joining previously qualified England and France. The victory secures Croatia’s fourth consecutive and seventh overall appearance in the tournament.
The qualification was confirmed following a 3-1 win against the Faroe Islands at the Rijeka Stadium. Goals from Joško Gvardiol (23rd minute), Petar Musa (57th minute), and Nikola Vlašić (70th minute) propelled Croatia to victory, despite an early lead taken by the Faroe Islands through Geza Davis Turi in the 16th minute. This result also guarantees the Czech Republic a place in the additional selection phase.
Elsewhere in European qualifying, Germany and Slovakia are set to clash on Monday in Leipzig, with a draw sufficient for Germany to claim a direct ticket to the championship.Slovakia will need to win against the four-time world champions to secure their place. The team finishing second in their group will enter a playoff system alongside 14 other national teams, competing for four remaining championship spots.
In Group G, Lithuania remains in contention, though Poland’s hopes are dwindling after a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands. Jakub Kamiński scored for Poland in the 43rd minute, answered by Memphis Depay for the netherlands in the 47th. Poland now requires a win against Malta and a Netherlands loss to Lithuania, alongside a meaningful goal difference advantage, to advance. Finland defeated Malta 1-0.
