In a pivotal round of Euro 2024 qualifying matches, Croatia clinched the final automatic qualification spot, while France fought back for a draw in Greece, and Wales was relegated to the play-offs.
Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists and semi-finalists in the 2022 edition, faced a must-win scenario against Armenia in Zagreb. A victory would guarantee their spot in Euro 2024, while any other result could see Wales overtake them in Group D. In a tense match, Croatia emerged victorious with a narrow 1-0 win, courtesy of a header from Ante Budimir just before the break. This result ensured Croatia’s place as the 21st and final automatic qualifier for the 24-team tournament scheduled for next June and July.
Wales, on the other hand, faced a challenging task against an already-qualified Türkiye in Cardiff. Despite an early goal from Neco Williams putting Wales ahead, a 70th-minute penalty by Yusuf Yazici for Türkiye meant the match ended in a 1-1 draw. This result leaves Wales to navigate the play-offs in March, aiming for their third consecutive Euro appearance. The draw this Thursday will determine whether they face Finland, Ukraine, or Iceland in the semi-finals, followed by a potential final decider against Poland or Estonia.
France, despite resting star player Kylian Mbappe, initially led against Greece in Athens thanks to Randal Kolo Muani’s late first-half goal. However, the hosts responded strongly after the break, with Tasos Bakasetas equalizing and Fotis Ioannidis putting Greece ahead. Youssouf Fofana’s powerful strike brought France level, but a controversial moment ensued when Kingsley Coman’s deflected cutback appeared to cross the goal line, only to be missed by the officials without goal-line technology assistance. The match ended 2-2, with Greece, the 2004 Euro winners, still having a chance in the play-offs.
In another match, the Netherlands, who had already secured their qualification, put on a dominant display against Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal, with a 6-0 victory. Calvin Stengs of Feyenoord led the scoring with a hat-trick, complemented by goals from Mats Wieffer, Teun Koopmeiners, and Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo.
The latest results from the Euro 2024 qualifiers set the stage for an intriguing tournament, with powerhouses like Croatia and France making their presence felt, while Wales faces a challenging path to secure their spot. The anticipation for Euro 2024 continues to build, with each match providing its unique drama and excitement in the lead-up to next summer’s main event.
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