Spain qualified for the European Men’s Soccer Championship playoffs on Thursday in Gelsenkirchen with a 1-0 victory over reigning tournament champions Italy.
An own goal from the Italian Riccardo Calafiori in the 55the minute gave victory to Spain in this first duel between two big names on the international scene at the Euro.
The Spaniards, three-time tournament champions, dominated this Group B match, in which 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal further cemented his reputation as one of soccer’s most exciting young stars with an exceptional performance.
Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the score scoreless with a few good saves before deflecting the ball onto the knee of Calafiori, who could do nothing to prevent the ball from ending up in the back of the net.
England settle for a draw
At the end of an unconvincing performance, England extracted a 1-1 draw in Denmark which probably ensured qualification for the round of 16 in Frankfurt.
Harry Kane got England off to another good start when he scored in the 18the minute, but the captain was replaced in the second half and his team was more subdued on the field.
“The team didn’t perform today, that’s my responsibility,” admitted England head coach Gareth Southgate, who did not hide his impatience when his team gave away too many scoring chances. .
“To achieve extraordinary things, you have to go through difficult times. It was definitely a tough time today. »
Denmark tied the game at 34e minute through Morten Hjulmand, who delivered a powerful strike from distance after Kane had caused a turnover.
England have four points from two games after beating Serbia 1-0 in the curtain-raiser. This total has always been enough to play at least one playoff match since the implementation of the 24-team formula.
Even so, England can still mathematically finish in any of the top three positions in Group C, as they face undefeated Slovenia on Tuesday.
The teams could count on royal spectators in the stands since the King of Denmark, Frederick X, and the future King of England, Prince William, were present.
Serbia snatches a draw from Slovenia
A late strike from Serbia prevented Slovenia from enjoying their first ever Euro victory, en route to a 1-1 draw in Munich.
Zan Karnicnik shook the strings at 69e minute of play to allow Slovenia to believe in their chances of recording a historic victory, but substitute Luka Jovic’s strike leveled the score in stoppage time.
The net caused an outpouring of joy among the Serbian supporters, although some of them then threw flares and objects onto the pitch.
The equalizer occurred on the last action of the match, since the referee whistled the end of the match from the next throw-in. The Slovenian players, visibly disappointed, could not help but kneel on the pitch.
“Serbs don’t die so easily,” said Serbian head coach Dragan Stojkovic. We are not giving up and neither will we. We believed in it until the end and the reward followed. »
“We didn’t accept losing to Slovenia tonight, we didn’t want to accept this result and that’s why the reward came. »
Slovenia drew against Denmark to open the competition.
Serbia will cross swords with Denmark on Tuesday.