PARIS, Nov 17, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The Netherlands, Germany and World Cup
finalists Croatia expanded a list of big hitters to qualify for Euro 2020 on
Saturday as the trio booked their places at next summer’s finals.
Austria also made it through to the multi-host tournament, which kicks off
in Rome on June 12, with 16 sides now ensured of a spot at the 24-team event
and only four places remaining from the main qualifying route.
They join other big names such like world champions France, Spain, Italy
and England, with European champions Portugal one win away from
qualification.
Ronald Koeman’s resurgent Dutch needed a point to qualify for their first
major tournament since coming third at the 2014 World Cup and got what they
needed in a scrappy goalless draw with Northern Ireland in Belfast.
“It means a lot for us as players. Hopefully it means so much to the Dutch
people,” Liverpool defender Van Dijk said.
However they were far from the flamboyant outfit that has so often
thrilled in Group C, and survived a huge scare when Steven Davis smashed a
first-half penalty high over the bar.
The Dutch dominated possession and stopped the hosts from having a single
shot on target but failed to create much themselves.
Davis’ spot-kick blunder left Michael O’Neill’s side third and hoping for
a way into the tournament via the playoffs.
– Germany join the Dutch –
The draw allowed fierce rivals Germany to move top in the group as Toni
Kroos hit a brace in a simple 4-0 win over Belarus in Moenchengladbach which
saw them qualify for the Euros for the 13th time in a row.
A deft back-heeled goal from defender Matthias Ginter just before the
break and impressive finishing by Leon Goretzka and Kroos gave the Germans a
comfortable three-goal lead early in the second half.
Captain Manuel Neuer produced a superb save to keep out Belarus striker
Igor Stasevich’s penalty before Kroos dribbled through the defence to claim
his second goal seven minutes from time and make sure of a routine win.
“Overall we did well, but at the moment I don’t include us among the
favourites for the European title,” said Kroos, echoing coach Joachim Loew’s
comments from earlier in the week.
A win over Northern Ireland in Frankfurt on Tuesday will guarantee Loew’s
new-look side first place.
Croatia survived a scare to secure their place in the Euros after coming
from behind beat Slovakia 3-1 in Rijeka.
The World Cup runners up needed just a point to ensure qualification from
Group E but Robert Bozenik stunned the home crowd when he tapped the away
side ahead in the 32nd minute.
However it was one-way traffic in the second half and Croatia’s
qualification was never in doubt once Nikola Vlasic drilled home the
leveller.
Bruno Petkovic headed the hosts in front and Ivan Perisic sealed the three
points with a thumping finish with 16 minutes left.
“We were trying to stay calm in the dressing room at half-time, we were
sure that our quality would prevail. We kept attacking, creating chances, and
the goals came,” said Petkovic.
– Wales with fighting chance –
That win gives Wales a fighting chance of qualifying after their 2-0
victory over Azerbaijan earlier on Saturday.
Ryan Giggs’ side stay third thanks to first-half headed goals from Kieffer
Moore and Harry Wilson and Slovakia losing against the Croats.
They are just one point behind second-placed Hungary, who travel to
Cardiff on the final day for a winner-takes-all clash.
“It’s massive for us to get the three points and now we go again Tuesday,”
said Moore. “We came here for the three points and we got them — now it’s
all guns blazing towards Tuesday.”
Austria booked their place with a 2-1 win over North Macedonia that kept
third-placed Slovenia at bay despite their 1-0 triumph over Latvia.
They are second in Group G behind Poland, who had already qualified going
into this round of games but maintained a three-point lead at the top of the
group thanks to a 2-1 win at Israel.
In Saint Petersburg, the Hazard brothers made short work of Russia as
already-qualified Belgium maintained their 100 percent record with a 4-1 win
that secured them top spot in Group I.
Eden and Thorgan Hazard put Roberto Martinez’s side three goals ahead at
the break before in-form Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku crashed home the
fourth in the 72nd minute to make absolutely sure of the result.