The Netherlands have qualified directly for the European Football Championship in Germany. With a 1-0 (1-0) win against Ireland, coach Ronald Koeman’s team secured second place behind group winners France and secured their ticket to the European Championship. Romania and Switzerland will also be in Germany in 2024.
Bundesliga professional Wout Weghorst from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim made it 1-0 in Amsterdam after just 12 minutes. After numerous high-profile opportunities, the Dutch missed out on deciding the match early on. But Ireland was too harmless on offense.
France with a landslide victory
World Cup runners-up and group winner France celebrated their biggest win in a European Championship qualifying game with a 14-0 (7-0) win against Gibraltar, replacing Germany’s 13-0 win in San Marino in 2006. The 17-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery scored on his debut to make it 3-0 (16th), was badly fouled when he shot on goal and had to go out injured. Gibraltar’s Santos also received a red card. Captain Mbappé (30th/hand penalty/74th/82nd) scored three times, Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman (36th/65th) scored twice.
Switzerland can look forward to the European Championships. The Swiss didn’t get more than a 1-1 (0-0) draw against Kosovo, but they secured second place in Group I with 17 points. Augsburg’s Rubén Vargas scored the Swiss goal two minutes after the break. Muhamet Hyseni was able to equalize (82′).
Romania is also qualified for the European Championships. With a 2:1 (1:1) against Israel, coach Edward Iordănescu’s team took first place. The game took place at the Pancho Arena in Felcsút, Hungary, due to the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on October 7th. Israel has another chance to take part in the European Championship in the playoffs.
Croatia with good chances
Croatia again has the best prospects of taking part in next year’s European Football Championship in Germany. The World Cup third place won 2-0 (2-0) in Latvia and is now second in the table after rivals Wales’ 1-1 mistake in Armenia.
Croatia, led by captain Luka Modric, with 13 points at the end of Group D on Tuesday (8.45 p.m.) against Armenia, is enough for the direct European Championship ticket. Wales (11) have to play against Turkey, who have already qualified, at the same time and hope for help.
Wales, on the other hand, missed a better starting position with a 1-1 (1-1) draw in Armenia. Nair Tiknisyan’s own goal at least equalized in stoppage time in the first half. Argentina-born Lucas Zelarayán scored for the hosts after five minutes.
Norway not there – Poland hopes
Meanwhile, the European Championship will finally take place without superstar Erling Haaland. After Israel missed out on direct qualification due to a 1-2 loss against Romania, Haaland’s Norwegians no longer have a chance at the continental tournament. The Northern Europeans are third in Group A and can no longer reach the playoffs.
Another goalscorer, on the other hand, can still have hopes for the European Championship: Robert Lewandowski and the Poles have a chance of taking part in Germany via the playoffs. The striker’s team from FC Barcelona no longer has a chance of one of the top two places in Group E, but has secured a playoff ticket via the Nations League.
