Italy under pressure in Belfast, the Netherlands in the Kuip of Rotterdam with a final against a ghostly backdrop. The two heavyweights of European football have to fear for their direct qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar until the last games.
Disappointment spread in the Netherlands when the seemingly secure World Cup ticket was lost in Montenegro after the 2-0 lead by Memphis Depay (25th minute / penalty, 54th). Ilja Vukotic (82nd) and Nikola Vujnovic (86th) tore Oranje out of their World Cup dreams with their 2-2 goals and ensured that the Dutch, as the group leaders, now have to go into a final in front of empty ranks on Tuesday . In the de Kuip of Rotterdam no spectators are allowed due to the increasing incidence and the infection protection rules decided on Friday in the country.
Before the meeting in Podgorica, head coach Louis van Gaal had followed the game between Norway and Latvia via live ticker on his mobile phone and rejoiced too early after the 0-0 draw. “I will cheer and then the rest will join in,” the coach told the TV broadcaster NOS before his own mistake in Montenegro. Nevertheless: On Tuesday, a draw is enough for the host for the direct World Cup ticket.
Jorginho shoots
The task for Italy in the long-distance duel with Switzerland seems a bit more complicated. Because of a missed penalty in the final minute by Europe’s “Footballer of the Year” Jorginho in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland, the Azzurri are faced with a delicate situation before the final in Belfast against Northern Ireland.
Equal on points (15 points each) and only two goals ahead, the European champion goes into the remote duel with the Swiss, who receive Bulgaria on Monday at the same time (8.45 p.m.). If Italy and Switzerland win, then the goal difference decides – so there may be a shooting competition between the two teams on Monday.
“Something like that happens,” said Leonardo Bonucci after the Montenegrins equalized late. «We have to look ahead. Now we’re going to Belfast as a team, as a group, as a family and we’re going to win the World Cup. ” Defender colleague Giovanni di Lorenzo, who had equalized the Swiss lead by Silvan Widmer, stood in front of Jorginho. He “is a great champion. We will all help him right now. “
At the beginning of July, Brazilian-born Jorginho was Italy’s penalty-taker when his penalty gave the Azzurri victory in the European Championship semi-finals against Spain. But he had already missed a penalty in the 0-0 first leg in Switzerland. Is a nightmare repeating itself for the Squadra Azzurra? Four years ago, Italy lost its ticket for the World Cup in Russia in the playoffs and gave the country a football shock.
France sovereign
Meanwhile, defending champions France and Belgium have done their job confidently over the weekend and qualified for the World Cup after Denmark and Germany. The Equipe Tricolore rolled over Kazakhstan 8-0 (3-0) in Paris and could not be ousted from first place in Group D on the last day of the match. With four hits – including a hat trick within just 26 minutes – Kylian Mbappé was the overwhelming man at the world champion.
The winner is also clear in Group E: Belgium prevailed 3-1 (1-0) over Estonia and are in Qatar. Borussia Dortmund’s Joker Thorgan Hazard scored the goal. The English have the best chances of getting a direct ticket to the World Cup after their 5-0 (5-0) win against Albania. Before the final long-distance duel with Poland, which will receive Hungary on Monday (8.45 p.m.), one point would be enough for them in San Marino.
In addition to the four European teams, only Brazil has been confirmed as a World Cup participant so far. However, Argentina around the substitute superstar Lionel Messi after the 1-0 (1-0) over Uruguay in Montevideo can hardly be taken away from the World Cup qualification. Ángel Di María scored the golden goal for the two-time world champion after just six minutes.
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