Reigning champions Italy secured their ticket for Euro 2024 on Monday after holding on for a nervy goalless draw against Ukraine in their final qualifier.
Reigning titleholders Italy secured their ticket for Euro 2024 on Monday after holding on for a nervy goalless draw against Ukraine in their final qualifier, while the Czech Republic and Slovenia also settled places at coming time’s tests. Italy only demanded the draw in a game played in Leverkusen, Germany, in order to qualify but a defeat against their direct rivals in Group C would have left their fate to be decided in play- offs coming March. That was a script they desperately wanted to avoid following the trauma of failing to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 World Mugs after losing in play- offs, either side of winning the last European Championship in 2021.
The high stakes made it a tense occasion and Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to produce a firm hand downward down to keep out an early Georgiy Sudakov strike.
Still, Luciano Spalletti’s side hovered at the other end with Ukraine’ keeper Anatoliy Trubin saving from Nicolo Barella and contending out to deny Davide Frattesi before the half- hour mark.
Donnarumma blocked a Mykhailo Mudryk attempt in the 65th nanosecond and there was a flashpoint in cessation time when the Ukraine winger went down in the Italy box under a Bryan Cristante challenge, but no penalty was given.
The two nations finish position on 14 points behind England in Group C, but Italy have the better head- to- head record having won 2- 1 in Milan in September.
” We’re pleased. After all the difficulties we’ve had, we will be in Germany and we will be going there as reigning titleholders and going there to win,” Donnarumma told broadcaster Rai 1.
Ukraine must thus negotiate the play- offs if they’re to return to Germany for the event coming June.
Asked about the late penalty call, Ukraine trainer Serhiy Rebrov told thepost-match press conference” From my point of view that was a penalty, but again I wasn’t there and it’s only about my feelings.”
England held in North Macedonia
England had formerly qualified before their trip to Skopje to play North Macedonia, when they demanded a alternate- half own thing to earn a 1- 1 draw and finish their crusade undefeated.
Enis Bardhi opened the scoring for North Macedonia four twinkles before half- time, following up to net after his penalty was saved by Jordan Pickford.
The spot- kick was given after a VAR check showed that Manchester City’s Rico Lewis, on his debut, had caught Bojan Miovski in the area.
England drew position just before the hour mark, and moments after Harry Kane was transferred on from the bench, as Jani Atanasov diverted a Phil Foden corner into his own net.
The Czech Republic only demanded a draw at home to Moldova in Olomouc to secure their place at an eighth successive Euro tests, and the outgrowth was noway in mistrustfulness as they eased to a 3- 0 palm.
David Doudera swept in the nature and Moldova had Vladislav Baboglo transferred off beforehand in the alternate half before late pretensions by Tomas Chory and captain Tomas Soucek secured palm.
Czech trainer quits
They finish second in Group E behind Albania– who drew 0- 0 with the Faroe islets on Monday– but their evening was overshadowed by trainer Jaroslav Silhavy publicizing his abdication incontinently after the game.
” Indeed though we’re happy now, we had formerly decided before the game not to continue,” the 62- time-old trainer told Czech TV.
His departure comes after three players, including West Ham United protector Vladimir Coufal, were transferred home from the team for having spent Saturday night at a café .
Slovenia will appear at the Euro for the first time since 2000 after their 2- 1 palm at home to Kazakhstan in Ljubljana settled alternate place behind Denmark in GroupH.
Benjamin Verbic netted Slovenia’s late winner after Ramazan Orazov had netted for Kazakhstan to cancel out Benjamin Sesko’s penalty nature.
Kazakhstan would have qualified with a palm but will rather now go into the play- offs as their expedients of appearing at first major event remain alive.
Denmark lost 2- 0 in Northern Ireland, with Isaac Price and Dion Charles scoring, while Finland– who’ll be in the play- offs– won 2- 1 down to minnows San Marino. Know More Latest Football News…
