No new official qualifier for the 2022 World Cup Friday, November 12, after the officialization of Brazil’s presence on Thursday. Despite everything, the penultimate day of the Europe zone offered its share of twists and turns. Italy and England will have to wait until Monday and the final day to qualify, while Scotland have formalized their qualification in the play-offs. On the other hand, it is over for Isarël and Albania, who will not be on the trip to Qatar.
Italy spoils and complicates the task
Held in check by brave Swiss (1-1) at Stadio Olimpico, Italy has not yet secured its qualification for the World Cup. Surprised by the early opening score of Silvan Widmer, the Nazionale was manhandled before equalizing by Giovanni Di Lorenzo on a free kick, shortly before the break. Dominating in the second act, the Italians thought they would win from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. But like in the first leg, Jorginho missed his shot.
Nothing prohibitive for the Transalpines, who keep the first place in the group thanks to a greater goal difference (+11, against +9 for the Helvetians). A significant advantage before the last duel from a distance, which will see Switzerland host Bulgaria and Italy move to Northern Ireland on Monday. Four years after its traumatic shoot-off lost against Sweden, Squadra Azzurra will seek to avoid another cleaver meeting.
Quiet like England
In its Wembley garden, England had fun against Albania (5-0). A victory obtained, among other things, thanks to a Harry Kane of great evenings. The Spurs striker has offered a nice hat-trick, including a superb scissor on a corner. Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson also scored to seal the score in the first period.
Harry Kane is the first England player to score a perfect hat-trick (header, left-foot, right-foot) since David Platt in 1993 #WCQ pic.twitter.com/qFTjxzJW1I
– European Qualifiers (@ EURO2024) November 12, 2021
It would take a combination of the most incredible circumstances for England not to qualify for the World Cup on Monday. Thanks to this success, the Three Lions maintained a three-point lead over Poland, also victorious in Andorra (1-4). With a much higher goal difference (+26 against +19 for the Poles) and one last match to play against San Marino, nothing seems to prevent the English from counting their ticket for a seventh consecutive World Cup.
Scotland in dams, twenty-four years later
After a long journey through the desert, Scottish football is finally emerging from the shadows. Present at the Euro for the first time since 1996, Scotland qualified for the play-offs on Friday, beating Moldova (0-2). Behind Denmark, already qualified and winner of the Faroe Islands (3-1), Andrew Robertson’s teammates can no longer be caught by Israel or Austria.
There remains a march, perilous if there is one, to reach Qatar. But this qualification in the play-off is already a small event for the Scots, who have not reached this stage since 1998, the date of their last appearance at a World Cup. While waiting to be fixed on their next opponent, Steve Clarke’s players will celebrate this performance in Glasgow, against Denmark on Monday.