Austria begins a night of mismatches with a 10-0 victory over the world’s worst soccer team. world cup qualifiers England dominated Wales in a friendly without Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham in Europe on Thursday.
European qualifiers to qualify for next year’s competition resumed in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the Netherlands and Denmark also scoring big wins.
Croatia, who were runners-up in 2018 and qualified for the semi-finals in 2022, did not live up to expectations with a 0-0 draw against their main rivals the Czech Republic, but maintained their first place and led the group.
Arnautovic’s record
36-year-old striker Marko Arnautovic scored four goals and Austria scored 45 points, the country’s highest score, as they overwhelmed San Marino, the lowest-ranked country in the FIFA world rankings, with five straight wins in qualifying.
Second-placed Bosnia and Herzegovina conceded a goal in stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Cyprus, giving Austria a two-goal lead at the top of Group H and taking the game into their hands.
There are 12 groups in total, and each team that finishes in first place will go directly to the World Cup. The second place team advances to the playoffs.
Gakupo double
Liverpool’s Codi Gakpo scored twice and Manchester City’s Tijani Lijnders added a third as the Premier League stars inspired the Netherlands to beat Malta 4-0.
Thanks in part to a late goal from Memphis Depay, the Netherlands increased their domestic record to 53 points and moved three points ahead of Poland and Finland in Group G.
With one game remaining, Finland defeated Lithuania 2-1, and Poland will return to qualifying on Sunday to face Lithuania.
Hoylund remains hot
Napoli striker Rasmus Højlund announced his form from Serie A to international football with a first-half double in Denmark’s 6-0 victory over Belarus. Anders Dreyer also scored twice for the Danes, who finished ahead of the Scots on goal difference.
Scotland were lucky to come from behind to beat Greece 3-1 at Hampden Park. Scotland showed their superiority with only a goal from Kostas Tsimikas in the 62nd minute.
Scottish fans showed their displeasure with jeers, but Ryan Christie equalized and Lewis Ferguson and Lyndon Dykes scored in the dying minutes after a horrifying mistake by the goalkeeper.
Croatia still in first place
The Czech Republic and Croatia were unable to separate the Czechs and Croatia in a close game in Prague, with Croatia outscoring them on goal difference but playing one fewer match.
Wins against Gibraltar and the Faroe Islands at home and away against Montenegro in the remaining games will ensure Croatia’s place in the World Cup.
The Faroe Islands defeated Montenegro 4-0 to take third place.
Tuchel criticizes fans
England have qualifying until next week, and defeating Latvia would secure their place in next year’s North American tournament, but they set themselves up by defeating Wales 3-0 with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Bukayo Saka in the opening 20 minutes.
England captain Kane was injured in the game, and manager Thomas Tuchel opted not to call Real Madrid star Bellingham to the camp despite his recovery. Rodgers replaced Bellingham as a number 10 and was featured at Wembley in England. the fan was quiet After an impressive first half for the team.
That didn’t impress Tuchel.
“We couldn’t score the fourth or fifth goal. The stadium was silent. It was silent,” said the German-born coach. “We never got that energy back from the fans, but I think the players gave a lot to get more energy out of the stands.”
Asked if he expected more from England fans, Tuchel, known for his outspokenness, replied: “Yes. What more can we give than 20 minutes, three goals and an attack on Wales?”
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