Oslo [Norway]September 13 (ANI): Norway defeated Georgia 2-1, with Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard scoring as Norway delayed Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2024 on Tuesday night.
Scotland needed a draw between the two in Group A to qualify for the final in Germany, but Haaland’s header and Odegaard’s shot from the edge of the area effectively killed those aspirations before half-time.
Georgia scored in stoppage time through Budu Zivzivadze, resulting in a tense final second, but Norway held on to keep their qualification chances alive.
In the other Group A match, Spain – Scotland’s next opponents – defeated Cyprus 6-0 in Granada.
Gavi and Mikel Merino scored from midfield to put La Roja 2-0 up at the break. The remaining goals were scored by substitutes, including Joselu, Ferran Torres and Alex Baena, with the former Manchester City striker netting a brace.
In England’s Group C, Italy beat Ukraine 2-1 to finish second behind the Three Lions.
Luciano Spalletti’s side took control at the San Siro thanks to Davide Frattesi’s brace, but Ukraine, who withdrew Mykhailo Mudryk from the starting line-up, pulled one back through Andrey Yarmolenko.
Italy will then travel to Wembley to face England on October 17, with the Three Lions knowing a win will guarantee them a place in Germany.
After their 2-0 win over Malta, North Macedonia joined Italy and Ukraine on seven points. Goals from Elif Elma and Jonav Manev in the first half were enough to keep the Euro 2020 contenders at bay.
Belgium beat Estonia 5-0, putting them one win away from qualifying for Euro 2024. Romelu Lukaku scored twice.
The Red Devils led 2-0 at the break with goals from Jan Vertonghen and Leandro Trossard, before Lukaku sealed victory with two goals in two minutes just before the hour mark. Charles de Ketelaere added a fifth goal to round out the scoring.
Belgium are joined at the top of Group F by Austria, who won a critical 3-1 away to Sweden, whose qualification dreams have been dashed.
Ralf Rangnick’s team led Sweden by seven points at half-time thanks to Marco Gregoritsch’s goal and Marko Arnautovic’s brace. Austria play Belgium next, and the winner will be guaranteed a place at Euro 2024.
Switzerland maintain their lead at the top of Group I after a 3-0 win over Andorra. Goals from Cedric Itten, Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri’s late penalty keep them three points ahead of Israel, who beat Belarus 1-0 thanks to a late winner from Gavriel Kanichowsky.
Each of the ten groups will see two teams qualify automatically: group winners and runners-up.
The finals then decide the last three teams.
Germany, as hosts, is the only country certain to be one of the 24 nations competing in the tournament next summer. (ANI)
Source: sn.dk