World Cup qualification in Europe
© Imago
Italy got important three points in the World Cup qualification at Gennaro Gattuso after a significant increase. In the 5: 0 (0-0) against outsider Estonia, the Squadra Azzurra ran in vain for almost an hour and repeatedly failed at the Neu-Bremer goalkeeper Karl Hein. Moise Kean from AC Florenz redeemed Gattuso and Co. with his goal after 58 minutes. Mateo Retegui (69./89.), Giacomo Raspadori (71.) and Alessandro Bastoni (90.+2) ensured a clear success of the 2006 world champion at the end.
With six points after three games, Italy is currently in third place behind the unbeaten Norwegians and Israel. The group winner qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The second of the table still has a chance of playoff games. Italy last missed the World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
Meanwhile, Vice World Champion France has successfully started the World Cup qualification. In Breslau, Polish, the team of coach Didier Deschamp against Ukraine won 2-0 (1-0). Munich Michael Olise scored for the French lead after ten minutes. Superstar Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid made everything clear in the final phase. The leader in Group D is Iceland with a 5: 0 (1: 0) against Azerbaijan.
Switzerland started with a furious 4: 0 (4: 0) against Kosovo in the World Cup excretion. The former Schalke and Mönchengladbach professional Breel Embolo hit twice (25th/45th). With the former Dortmund Manuel Akanji (22nd) and Silvan Widmer (39th) from FSV Mainz 05, professionals with Bundesliga experience also met. Sweden did not go beyond a 2: 2 (1: 0) in Slovenia.
In Group L, Croatia and the Czech Republic underpinned their top positions. World Cup semi-finalist Croatia prevailed 1-0 (1-0) on the Faroe Islands and is flawless with three wins from three games. Czech Republic won the fourth success in Montenegro in the fifth match in Montenegro. For Denmark, it was only a goalless 0-0 against Scotland at the start in Group C. Greece, on the other hand, convinced against Belarus in the clear 5: 1 (4: 0).