While waiting for the meeting between the French team in Kazakhstan (to follow live on FM this Saturday at 8:45 p.m.), the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in the Europe zone continued this Friday evening with seven posters scheduled at 8:45 p.m. At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, reigning European champion, received Switzerland, executioner of the Blues during the last Euro. For this meeting of Group C, the Nati (2nd, 14 pts) presented itself in 4-2-3-1 with Okafor, holder at the forefront and supported by the Lyon striker Shaqiri. For its part, the Nazionale (1st, 14 pts) advanced in 4-3-3 where Chiesa, Belotti and Insigne formed the attacking trio.
The suspense remains in Group C!
In this shock, Murat Yakin’s men set off with their feet to the ground. At the conclusion of a perfectly conducted counterattack, Okafor found Widmer in retreat who crucified Donnarumma with a right missile (0-1, 11th). Asphyxiated, the defense of Squadra Azzurra suffered the Swiss waves and Okafor again signaled itself with a cross strike brushing against the upright of the Italian goalkeeper (16th). But the Nazionale would gradually come out of its torpor and if Barella (22nd) then Chiesa (24th) put Sommer to work, it was finally Di Lorenzo who put the two teams back to back following a free kick well wound by Badge (1-1, 36th).
When they returned from the locker room, the Swiss and Italians neutralized each other, but following a fault by Garcia on Berardi, Italy was going to offer a match point at the very end of the game. In vain. Jorginho saw his shot fly away (90th) and the two teams left with a draw (1-1). In the other meeting of this group, Lithuania, red lantern with 3 units and already eliminated, moved on the lawn of Windsor Park in Belfast to challenge Northern Ireland, penultimate of the pool with 5 points and also out of the race. In this game without stakes, the locals took advantage of a goal against his camp of Benas Stakus (17th) to win (1-0) and provisionally go back to an anecdotal third place. For its part, Lithuania leaves this qualifying campaign on a new setback.
Denmark is unstoppable!
After the victory of Scotland (certain to finish second) against Moldova (2-0), Group F had already delivered its verdict. Guaranteed to finish first in the group, Denmark, author of a clear round in these qualifiers (8 wins in as many games) welcomed the Faroe Islands for a poster, a priori, unbalanced. Ultras domineering, the Danes also opened the scoring through Bologna midfielder Skov Olsen (1-0, 18th) before doubling the stake in the second act thanks to newcomer Bruun Larsen (2-0, 63rd) . At the very end of the game, Olsen reduced the mark (2-1, 89th) but Maehle completed the success of his family (3-1, 90 + 3rd). With this victory (3-1), Denmark, already qualified, consolidates its status as leader and confirms its impressive career.
In the other match, Austria and Israel, eliminated, crossed swords at Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt. Under the eyes of their audience, the teammates of Bavarian Marcel Sabitzer were also surprised shortly after half an hour of play when Nir Bitton, defender of Celtic Glasgow, opened the scoring (0-1, 32nd). On the return from the locker room, Arnautovic, on a penalty, put the two teams back to back (1-1, 51st) but Peretz, the midfielder of Venice, allowed the Israelis to take the lead (1-2, 58th). Dominators in this meeting, the Austrians were finally rewarded and Schaub, who had just entered the game, seized the hero costume by first equalizing (2-2, 62nd) before offering himself a double (3-2 , 72nd). At the very end of the game, Sabitzer completed the success of his family (4-2, 84th). Despite this victory (4-2), Austria remains 4th before facing Moldova. Israel is 3rd and will host the Faroe Islands on the final day.
Harry Kane sees triple and roars again!
Finally, in Group I, Albania (3rd, 15 pts), still in the race for Qatar, moved to London to face England, leader at kick-off with 20 units. If successful, Gareth Southgate’s men had the opportunity to almost seal their first place. And on the lawn of Wembley, the Three Lions would, as such, offer themselves a real offensive recital. Faced with demobilized and tactically lost Albanians, Sterling and Foden’s partners, untenable in this meeting, inflicted a manita on Elseid Hysaj’s teammates. All in just half time. While Maguire opened the scoring (9th) and Henderson went for his goal (28th), Kane, in difficulty with Tottenham since the start of the season, simply offered himself a hat-trick (18th, 33rd, 45 + 2nd ) to destroy any suspense at the end of the first act. In the second half, the score did not budge and England signed a seventh victory in nine days before receiving San Marino next Monday to definitely secure their first place. Albania is officially eliminated.
Second behind the Three Lions with 17 units on the clock, Poland was opposed to Andorra (5th, 6 pts) for a meeting there too, a priori, unbalanced. And the scenario of this poster was only going to strengthen the forecasts. Sent off in the first minute of play, striker Fernandez left his teammates ten and the White Eagles were soon to take advantage. If the inevitable Lewandowski quickly opened the scoring (0-1, 5th), the Polish right piston Jozwiak doubled the bet a few moments later (0-2, 11th). Before the break, Cervos thought to give some hope to his family (1-2, 45th) but Marseille striker Milik allowed the Poles to take to the sea (1-3, 45 + 2nd).
Upon returning from the locker room, Lewandowski was going for his double (1-4, 73rd) to complete the success of his family (4-1) and consolidate this second place, synonymous with a dam. In the last meeting of this group I, Hungary (4th, 11 pts) hosted San Marino, red lantern (6th, 0 pt) and author of a nightmarish campaign with nine defeats in as many matches. A duel without stake logically won by the Hungarians thanks to the double of Szoboszlai (6th, 83rd) and to achievements of Gazdag (22nd) and Vecsei (88th). Despite this large victory (4-0), Hungary remains 4th and will therefore not experience the international games scheduled in a little over a year in Qatar.
The ranking of scorers in the Europe Zone
The classification of couriers in the Europe Zone
All the results of the evening
Group C
Italy 1-1 Switzerland: Di Lorenzo (36th) for Italy / Widmer (11th) for Switzerland
North Ireland 1-0 Lithuania: Satkus (17th, csc) for Northern Ireland
Group F
Moldova 0-2 Scotland (6 p.m.): Patterson (38th) and Adams (65th) for Scotland
Austria 4-2 Israel: Arnautovic (51st, sp), Schaub (62nd, 72nd), Sabitzer (84th) for Austria / Bitton (32nd), Peretz (58th) for Israel
Denmark 3-1 Faroe Islands: Skov Olsen (18th), Bruun Larsen (63rd), Maehle (90 + 3rd) for Denmark / Olsen (89th) for the Faroe Islands
Group I
England 5-0 Albania: Maguire (9th), Kane (18th, 33rd, 45 + 2nd), Henderson (28th) for England
Hungary 4-0 San Marino: Szoboszlai (6th, 83rd), Gazdag (22nd), Vecsei (88th) for Hungary
Andorra 1-4 Poland : Cervos (45th) for Andorra / Lewandowski (5th, 73rd), Jozwiak (11th), Milik (45 + 2nd) for Poland