Croatia goes to the European Championship, Netherlands canters
Croatia is the last team to qualify directly for the European Championship in Germany. The Dutch, who have already qualified, secured a clear victory against Gibraltar. The French, who have been so keen to play recently, rested numerous stars and only played out a draw.
Croatia has secured the last direct ticket for the 2024 European Football Championship in Germany. The World Cup bronze medallists secured qualification on the final matchday in Group D with a thin 1:0 (1:0) against Armenia in Zagreb. Ante Budimir scored the decisive goal for coach Zlatko Dalic's team in Zagreb in the 43rd minute.
Wales could have knocked the team led by former Real Madrid international Luka Modrić out of second place if they had slipped up, but the British side were held to a 1-1 (1-0) draw by already qualified Turkey in Cardiff. The Welsh will have another chance in the play-offs in March.
The other groups were not all that exciting. The Netherlands, who will also be at next year's finals (June 14 to July 14), celebrated a 6-0 (3-0) victory over hosts Gibraltar in Faro. Calvin Stengs (10th, 50th, 62nd) from Feyenoord Rotterdam scored three times. Gibraltar had already suffered a heavy defeat recently, going down 14-0 to France.
Meanwhile, the runners-up, France, took it easy in Greece in a 2-2 (1-0) draw, with former Frankfurt player Randal Kolo Muani (42) and Youssouf Fofana (74) scoring for the Équipe Tricolore, who rested numerous stars. The match between Romania and Switzerland, who had drawn their Germany ticket in Group I early, ended 1:0 (0:0) in Bucharest. The goal of the day was scored by Denis Alibec (50). Bayern substitute keeper Daniel Peretz made his second senior international appearance in Israel's 2-0 (1-0) win in Andorra. Belarus won 1:0 (1:0) in Kosovo.
Croatia's victory against Armenia ensures their direct participation in the 2024 European Championship, joining the Netherlands who have already qualified. Despite resting several key players, France only managed a draw against Greece, missing an opportunity to secure a higher position in their group.
Source: www.ntv.de
