Paris (AFP)

Switzerland, an easy winner in Gibraltar (6-1), and Denmark, taking a point in Ireland (1-1), validated Monday their ticket for the Euro-2020 while Italy has continued its fault by spraying Armenia (9-1).

Group D very homogeneous has delivered its verdict in two matches with diametrically opposite suspense. If Switzerland (17 pts) logically and easily dismissed Gibraltar, the last of the group, to take the first place, the other ticket was played after a tense meeting.

And in the end, it is well Denmark who passed (16 pts), resisting outside the assaults of Ireland (13 pts).

Initially too shy, the Irish waited to be led to score the approach of the last quarter of an hour, on a goal from Martin Braithwaite (73), before reacting and equalize by Matt Doherty in the 85th minute. A reaction too late and a delivery too shy, which condemn the Irish when a victory would have qualified them.

Switzerland and Denmark are the 18th and 19th teams qualified for the competition which will be played from June 12 to July 12 in 12 different countries. Tuesday, a twentieth place will be played in qualifying called "classic" while the last four places will be played in March in new barrages.

. Italy and Spain end unbeaten

In the other two groups playing Monday, in which everything was already played, hierarchies were respected. First in their respective pool and qualified for a long time, Italy and Spain have once again stacked goals against Armenia (9-1) and Romania (5-0).

These qualifiers were for Italy the opportunity to start a revival after its notable absence at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. With a perfect run, with ten wins in ten matches, 37 goals scored and four conceded, Roberto Mancini's Italy is posing as a serious candidate for the continental competition next summer.

Behind Italy, Finland, second, lost their last game in Greece third (2-1). Without consequence for the Nordiques, already qualified and who will play the first Euro of their history.

Spain, who conceded two draws in the playoffs, still finished undefeated, like Italy. After this new victory against the Romanians, La Roja finished with five points ahead of Sweden, the other qualified group that beat the Faroe Islands (3-0) on Monday.

© 2019 AFP