The Germans won the direct clash with Calzona’s team (6-1) and went directly to the World Cup
No surprises in this evening’s verdicts. Germany and Holland are too superior for Slovakia and Lithuania respectively, who can do nothing but pave their opponents’ way to the next World Cup. Pressure had been created especially on the Germans, who were playing everything in the direct clash, but Calzona’s national team collapsed after 18 minutes. Woltemade opens the ball, Gnabry doubles and Sané’s brace at the end of the first half already closes the deal, with Baku and Ouédraogo rounding off in the second half (6-0). Everything went smoothly for the Netherlands too, led by Reijnders (a goal and a post) in the first part of the match. Lithuania is unable to oppose in a concrete way and collapses around the hour mark, when Gakpo with a penalty, Xavi Simons and then Malen – with a splendid personal action – put the game down (4-0). Of note is the debut of Luciano Valente, of an Italian father and Dutch mother, who had played with Italy up to the Under 20s before choosing the Oranje.
the others
—
Montenegro and Croatia play openly in a pyrotechnic 2-3 comeback, aware that they cannot change their destiny: Vucinic’s team was already out of the running for the World Cup, while Dalic’s team was already certain of going there. The spot valid for the playoffs in group L, in fact, remained firmly occupied by the Czech Republic, which legitimized its position by beating Gibraltar (6-0). The most entertaining match is undoubtedly the one between Malta and Poland. Lewandowski seems to direct the contest, Cardona equalises, Wszolek brings the Poles back ahead. The third center of the Poles signed by Swiderski would also arrive, but at the beginning of the action there is a foul by Kiwior on Cardona: goal disallowed and penalty for Malta, scored by Teuma. There is no happy ending for Malta in any case: Zielinski’s deflected shot gives the guests success.
results and scorers
—
The scene of the evening:
Germany-Slovakia 6-0 18′ Woltemade, 29′ Gnabry, 36′ and 41′ Sané, 67′ Baku, 79′ Ouédraogo
Netherlands-Lithuania 4-0 16′ Reijnders, 58′ pen. Gakpo, 60′ Simons, 62′ Malen
Montenegro-Croatia 2-3 3′ Osmajic (M), 17′ Krstovic (M), 37′ pen. Perisic (C), 72′ Jakic (C), 87′ Vlasic (C)
Northern Ireland-Luxembourg 1-0 44′ pen. Donley
Malta-Poland 2-3 32′ Lewandowski (P), 36′ Cardona (M), 59′ Wszolek (P), 68′ pen. Teuma (M), 85′ Zielinski (P)
Czech Republic-Gibraltar 6-0 6′ Doudera, 18′ Chory, 32′ Coufal, 39′ Karabec, 44′ Soucek, 51′ Hranac
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED