Tbilisi (AFP)

North Macedonia qualified Thursday for the first major competition in its history and Hungary also validated its ticket for Euro-2020 with a stunning end to the match, while the last two places remain to be allocated.

The Macedonians beat Georgia 1-0 in the early evening, hours before Hungary, long led by Iceland, turned the tide late in the game to win 2-1.

The last two play-off finals, pitting Northern Ireland against Slovakia and Serbia against Scotland, ended with a score of 1-1, and the last two sesames for the Euro will therefore be played in extra time or on penalties.

- Hungary invites itself into the "group of death" -

Epic end of the match in Budapest: despite a huge blunder from Magyar goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi at the start of the game (9th), who gave Iceland the advantage, the Hungarians ended up emerging 2-1.

Finalist of the 1938 and 1954 World Cups, Hungary qualifies for its second Euro in a row.

Quickly led after a goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson, the Hungarians chased after the score for most of the game.

But Nego, in the 88th minute, then Szoboszlai in added time, allowed them to beat the Icelanders at the post.

But beware of the poisoned gift for the men of Marco Rossi, who join the "death group" of Euro-2020, made up of Germany, 2014 world champion, Portugal, crowned king of Europe in 2016, and France, reigning world champion.

The smallest nation qualified for a Euro in 2016 and a World Cup in 2018, Iceland has no doubt experienced the last campaign of its golden generation, of which the Euro in 2021 could have been the last lap.

- Macedonia wins the rookies match -

Of the two candidates for a first major competition in their history, it was North Macedonia that finally emerged against Georgia, beaten 1-0 in Tbilisi.

Dominated throughout the first half by the locals, the Macedonians were liberated by a goal from their most illustrious player, Genoa striker Goran Pandev, in the 56th minute.

At 37, the captain offered his country, independent since 1991, a historic ticket for Group C of Euro-2020.

In one of the most open pools of the Euro, the neophytes will face the Netherlands, Ukraine as well as Austria, who beat them twice in group G of qualifying for the Euro.

Drunk with joy after their feat, the Reds and Yellows embraced vigorously at the final whistle.

The rest of the party is set for Sunday, June 13, the date of their first Euro match against Austria.

© 2020 AFP