The Latest on European Qualifiers: Spain Surges, England Stagnates, and Last-Minute Drama
Spain Shows Dominance Against Italy
Spain secured a 1-0 victory over Italy thanks to an own goal by Riccardo Calafiori in the 55th minute. The match was notably skewed in favor of the Spanish team, who controlled nearly 60% of the possession and had an impressive 20 shots on goal. Italy, in contrast, managed only four attempts. Gianluigi Donnarumma was a standout for Italy, making eight crucial saves to keep his side in the match.
The deciding goal came when Spain’s Nico Williams delivered a cross intended for Alvaro Morata. However, it was Calafiori who inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net. This victory means Spain advances with a game still to play, cementing their status as tournament favorites. One downside for Spain is the suspension of key player Rodri, who will miss the Group B finale against Albania.
England Remains on Top Despite Draw
In Group C, England maintained their top spot after a 1-1 draw with Denmark. Harry Kane opened the scoring early for the Three Lions, but Denmark's Morten Hjulmand equalized. England's performance left much to be desired, marked by sloppy play and turnovers. Their early goal was not followed by sustained offensive pressure; instead, the team fell back into a defensive posture, allowing Denmark to grow into the game.
Morten Hjulmand's equalizer came after a turnover from a throw-in. His low strike finding its way past the English defense and hitting the post before going in. England was unable to recover from this setback, and the introduction of substitutes failed to improve their performance. Defensive mistakes continued to plague England, giving Denmark additional opportunities.
While England still tops their group, their performance has left fans skeptical about their chances of winning the tournament. As one observer noted, "There is work to do for England to convince a skeptical public back home that they are on a tournament-winning trajectory."
Serbia's Last-Minute Heroics Keep Hopes Alive
Serbia salvaged a 1-1 draw against Slovenia thanks to a last-minute header from Luka Jovic. Zan Karnicnik had put Slovenia ahead in the 69th minute, but Serbia fought back. Aleksandar Mitrovic came close to equalizing when his shot hit the crossbar before eventually, Jovic scored from an Ivan Ilic corner in the 96th minute, beating Slovenia's goalkeeper Jan Oblak and keeping Serbia's hopes alive heading into their final group game. As one commentator put it, "Jovic's 96th-minute strike saved Serbia from potential elimination before their final group game."
Germany, Switzerland, and Croatia Gain Points
Germany ensured their place in the last 16 with a solid 2-0 win over Hungary. Meanwhile, Switzerland and Scotland ended their match in a 1-1 draw, leaving Switzerland in a strong position to advance. Scotland and Hungary appear to be set to compete for third place. Croatia and Albania also drew, with each team sharing their first points of the campaign. Notably, Gjasula scored an own goal for Albania but managed to equalize in the 96th minute, earning his team a hard-fought draw.
Upcoming Matches
The action continues on Friday with several key matches on the schedule. Slovakia will take on Ukraine at 9 a.m. (Eastern), followed by Poland versus Austria at 12 p.m. (Eastern). The marquee matchup of the day will see the Netherlands face off against France at 3 p.m. (Eastern).
Stay tuned as the European qualifiers continue to provide thrilling action and dramatic finishes. Each game brings teams closer to their destiny, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable tournament.