European Championship qualification
Dutchman on course for European Championships thanks to last-minute goal
Virgil van Dijk scored the important winning goal for the Netherlands shortly before the end. photo
© Thanassis Stavrakis/AP/dpa
The Dutch are taking a big step towards the European Championships in Germany. Captain Virgil van Dijk ensures this at the proverbial last minute. Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice again.
Thanks to a last-minute goal, the Netherlands has taken a big step towards the European Football Championship Germany made. Captain Virgil van Dijk scored a 1-0 (0-0) win in Greece with a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time.
As a result, the Dutch moved up to second place in Group B and now have the ticket for the 2024 tournament in their own hands. In addition, Oranje have played one less game compared to the Greeks, who have the same points and are now in third place. It had looked like a draw in Athens for a long time. Hoffenheim’s Wout Weghorst missed his penalty in the 27th minute.
Ronaldo and Portugal convince again
Portugal had already secured their European Championship ticket, but also showed another brilliant performance thanks to superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The Seleção won 5-0 (5-0) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Double packers Ronaldo (5th/hand penalty/20th), Bruno Fernandes (25th), João Cancelo (32nd) and João Félix (41st) made everything clear before the break. For the 38-year-old Ronaldo it was already goals 126 and 127 in the national jersey. Portugal have won all of their eight qualifying games in Group J so far and have only conceded two goals out of 32 goals they have scored themselves.
Slovakia also took a big step closer to the European Championships with their 1-0 (0-0) win in Luxembourg. David Duris (77th) scored the decisive goal, meaning the Slovaks secured second place behind Portugal and extended their lead over third-placed Luxembourg to five points.