Two assists by Lewandowski and Austria's most important victory
Following Belgium, Italy and Russia, the ticket to the European Championship was won by the Polish team. In the final stage of the championship of the continent, the team was led by a home victory over the modest but unyielding Northern Macedonia. In addition, the opponent is also still fighting for getting into the first two of the group and was in dire need of points.
In a stubborn match, full of fouls and joints, the teams for a long time could not hit each other's gates, and it seemed that the meeting would end in a goalless draw. But in the end, the difference in class, as often happens, was shown by Robert Lewandowski. Two assists of the forward of “Bavaria” helped distinguish themselves Przemyslaw Frankowski and Arkadiusz Milik.
Thus, the Poles guaranteed themselves at least second place in the group and made their way to the fourth European Championship in a row. Also, Austria will most likely leave Group G, which beat Slovenia in a key away match and two points ahead of both Slovenes and Macedonians two points before the qualification finish.
14th minute removal of Emre Jan and Gundogan take
The German team was also close to solving the problem. On Sunday, the Bundestim did not stop scoring three points in Estonia, even the removal of Emre Jan in the 14th minute. The midfielder had to at the cost of a red card to disrupt the opponent’s most dangerous attack.
Most Estonians kept their gates intact for a whole half, but after the break they missed a doublet, and both times Ilkai Gundogan scored. First, he just struck into the far corner from the penalty, and then converted into a goal an assist from Marco Royce. For the football player, this double was the first in the games for the national team. But he did not stop there and helped distinguish Timo Werner, who replaced him.
Two hits of Veynaldum and rigidity of Belarusians
Scored three points and another top team, performing in group C - the Netherlands. On Sunday, the “orange” played in Minsk and won not without difficulty. Belarusians acted quite tough and did not hesitate to disrupt other people's attacks with foul fouls. As a result, the hosts earned five yellow cards, all in the second half.
But this did not help, and the guests were already leading to the break - 2: 0 thanks to the double of Jorginho Vejnaldum. First, he closed the head with an excellent canopy of Quincy Promes from the flank, and then delivered a terrific blow to the far nine from outside the penalty area.
To the honor of the Belarusians, they did not let go of their hands and at the very beginning of the second half they played one ball. However, no matter how hard the owners tried, they failed to create a sensation. Rather, they could have missed more if not for the amazing game at the gate of Alexander Gutor.
Two shots on target Kazakhstan and a hat-trick for the first half
While Russia on Sunday scored five unanswered goals against Cyprus, Belgium played relatively modestly in Kazakhstan. The current bronze medalists of the World Cup cost only two goals. Moreover, the guests demonstrated an incredible implementation. They only hit two shots on target, and both were successful. This was enough to win the eighth victory in a row. And the fate of the first place will be determined in a month in St. Petersburg.
Scotland looked much more aggressive, which thwarted its anger over the rout in Moscow at San Marino - 6: 0. Hat-trick in the first half managed to draw midfielder John McGinn.
Bale's magnificent free kick and two injuries
Also, according to the results of the gaming day, a ticket to the final stage of the European Championship could be won by Croatia. To do this, “checkers” required to beat Wales on the road. And it all began for wards Zlatko Dalich better than you can imagine.
Already in the ninth minute, the score was opened by CSKA midfielder Nicola Vlašić. The guests took the ball in their half of the field and carried out a quick counterattack on the left flank. Bruno Petkovich easily walked away from the defender and rolled the ball to a young army man who, with a neat billiard blow, sent a shell into the corner with a rebound from the bar.
But Wales recouped already in the third minute added to the first half. The main star and Welsh captain Gareth Bale perfectly executed a free-kick.
The spectators did not see more goals scored, although after the break the teams did everything to score more. But the fans witnessed the injuries of two Real Madrid players at once: in fact, Bale and Luke Modric. And if the Croats managed to change, then the Welshman was forced to limp across the field, since Ryan Giggs no longer had any replacements.
Now the situation in group E is completely confused. The Croats retained the lead with 14 points, and Hungary came in second with 12. The Slovaks had 10 points, Wales had 8. The last two teams had a match in reserve compared to the first two teams.