European Qualifiers: North Macedonia stun Germany, wins for England, France, Italy, Spain
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
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How did the UEFA EURO 2020 contenders get on in their latest European Qualifiers?
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North Macedonia pulled off a surprise victory away to Germany on the final night of the first week of European Qualifiers. Elsewhere, there were wins for the likes of England, France, Italy and Spain.
All Wednesday's results
Group B: Greece 1-1 Georgia, Spain 3-1 Kosovo
Group C: Lithuania 0-2 Italy, Northern Ireland 0-0 Bulgaria
Group D: Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 France, Ukraine 1-1 Kazakhstan
Group F: Austria 0-4 Denmark, Moldova 1-4 Israel, Scotland 4-0 Faroe Islands
Group I: Andorra 1-4 Hungary, England 2-1 Poland, San Marino 0-2 Albania
Group J: Armenia 3-2 Romania, Germany 1-2 North Macedonia, Liechtenstein 1-4 Iceland
Germany 1-2 North Macedonia
North Macedonia achieved one of the results of qualifying so far to move level on points with Germany in Group J. Goran Pandev poked in to give the visitors a shock lead just before half-time and though İlkay Gündoğan responded from the penalty spot, Eljif Elmas’ 85th-minute strike clinched a memorable win for Igor Angelovski's side.
Next European Qualifiers: Liechtenstein vs Germany (02/09), North Macedonia vs Armenia (02/09)
England 2-1 Poland
Harry Kane's penalty put England ahead before Jakub Moder curled in a second-half equaliser. However, Harry Maguire thumped home a winner five minutes from time, enabling Gareth Southgate's team to move two points clear in Group I.
Next European Qualifiers: Hungary vs England (02/09), Poland vs Albania (02/09)
Spain 3-1 Kosovo
Spain turned in the most convincing performance of their campaign so far to see off Kosovo. The hosts looked sharp throughout, with Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and substitute Gerard Moreno on target. Besar Halimi scored the visitors' consolation.
Next European Qualifier: Sweden vs Spain (02/09)
Lithuania 0-2 Italy
Goals at the start and finish of the second half from Stefano Sensi and Ciro Immobile earned victory for Italy, who might have won more comfortably had it not been for a sensational display by home keeper Tomas Švedkauskas.
Next European Qualifier: Italy vs Bulgaria (02/09)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-1 France
Antoine Griezmann’s goal was enough to give France an eighth successive away win. Anel Ahmedhodzic was denied by a fine Hugo Lloris save in the first half, and Griezmann nodded in Adrien Rabiot’s cross after the break to secure all three points.
Next European Qualifier: France vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (01/09)
Austria 0-4 Denmark
Denmark struck four goals in 17 second-half minutes in Austria to take control of Group F. Substitute Andreas Olsen netted either side of goals from Joakim Mæhle and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.
Next European Qualifiers: Moldova vs Austria (01/09), Denmark vs Scotland (01/09)
Ukraine 1-1 Kazakhstan
Roman Yaremchuk slotted the hosts ahead early on but Stas Pokatilov produced a string of saves before Serikzhan Muzhikov curled in the equaliser just before the hour.
Next European Qualifier: Kazakhstan vs Ukraine (01/09)
Scotland 4-0 Faroe Islands
John McGinn scored either side of half-time to set Scotland on their way to a first win of this qualifying campaign, with Che Adams' maiden international goal and a third in as many games from Ryan Fraser rounding off the victory.
Next European Qualifier: Denmark vs Scotland (01/09)
Andorra 1-4 Hungary
The visitors lost Zsolt Kalmár to a first-half knee injury, but first national-team goals either side of the interval from Attila Fiola and Kalmár's replacement Dániel Gazdag, both headers, broke Andorra's resistance. László Kleinheisler and sub Loïc Négo added further gloss, although Marc Pujol fired in a penalty consolation with virtually the last kick of the match.
Next European Qualifier: Hungary vs England (02/09)
Tuesday
Group A: Azerbaijan 1-2 Serbia, Luxembourg 1-3 Portugal
Group E: Belgium 8-0 Belarus, Wales 1-0 Czech Republic
Group G: Gibraltar 0-7 Netherlands, Montenegro 0-1 Norway, Turkey 3-3 Latvia
Group H: Croatia 3-0 Malta, Cyprus 1-0 Slovenia, Slovakia 2-1 Russia
Luxembourg 1-3 Portugal
Portugal survived a scare to top Group A after Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of this qualifying campaign. Luxembourg took the lead through Gerson Rodrigues' diving header but Diogo Jota had the visitors level moments before the break. Ronaldo converted six minutes into the second half and substitute João Palhinha bagged his first international goal to secure the three points.
Next European Qualifier: Portugal vs Republic of Ireland (01/09)
Belgium 8-0 Belarus
A much-changed Belgium eased past Belarus to take control of Group E. Fine goals from Michy Batshuayi, Hans Vanaken, Leandro Trossard and Jéremy Doku had the Red Devils 4-0 up at the interval. Dennis Praet and substitute Christian Benteke then made it six before Trossard and Vanaken completed their doubles late on.
Next European Qualifier: Estonia vs Belgium (02/09)
Wales 1-0 Czech Republic
Daniel James' late header from a Gareth Bale cross gave Wales their first points of this Group E campaign after Connor Roberts' red card cancelled out the earlier dismissal of Patrik Schick. Joe Rodon's added-time block on Ondřej Čelůstka was just as crucial for the hosts.
Next European Qualifiers: Belarus vs Wales (05/09), Czech Republic vs Belarus (02/09)
Gibraltar 0-7 Netherlands
The Dutch only broke the deadlock through Steven Berghuis' neat finish shortly before half-time, but pulled away in the second half courtesy of two goals from Memphis Depay and one apiece by Luuk de Jong, Georginio Wijnaldum, Donyell Malen and Donny van de Beek.
Next European Qualifier: Norway vs Netherlands (01/09)
Turkey 3-3 Latvia
Turkey's perfect start to Group G was ended by a fine Latvia comeback. Kenan Karaman's early strike was supplemented by a Hakan Çalhanoğlu goal before Roberts Savaļnieks pulled one back. And though Burak Yılmaz's penalty made it 3-1, Roberts Uldriķis and Dāvis Ikaunieks earned Latvia their first point of the campaign.
Next European Qualifier: Turkey vs Montenegro (01/09)
Croatia 3-0 Malta
Ivan Perišić, Luka Modrić and Josip Brekalo were the saviours for Croatia as the trio all scored from the bench to wrap up the three points against a Maltese side who had held on until the 62nd minute.
Next European Qualifier: Russia vs Croatia (01/09)
Slovakia 2-1 Russia
Slovakia got their first win of the campaign thanks to Róbert Mak's fine individual effort. Milan Škriniar's thumping header had given the hosts a first-half lead, only for Mário Fernandes to prod home with under 20 minutes remaining. The visitors were level for roughly three minutes, however, until Mak's mazy run and neat finish spoiled Russia's perfect Group H record.
Next European Qualifiers: Slovenia vs Slovakia, Russia vs Croatia (01/09)