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After missing the 2018 and 2022 World Cups following failures in both playoffs, and without reaching the knockout stage of a World Cup since winning the title in 2006, Italy took the field this Thursday (26) on a mission to avoid another embarrassment.
The four-time champion faced Northern Ireland in the European playoff semifinals, overcame plenty of tension, but came out on top 2-0.
The mission now is to dispatch Wales or Bosnia next Tuesday to end its drought.
The day also brought surprises, with Kosovo eliminating Slovakia — which had even beaten Germany in the qualifiers.
And there was also Ireland pulling off an away upset.
See below for a summary of the matches already finished and, afterward, what will be/may be the four decisive matches for the final spots.
Two matches went to extra time.
🇹🇷 Turkey 1 x 0 Romania 🇷🇴
A standalone clash that kicked off at 2 p.m. (Brasília time).
Playing at Tüpraş Stadium, Besiktas’ home ground, the hosts came out on top thanks to Kadioglu’s goal after a precise pass from Arda Güler (53').
Turkey controlled the match from the start. But it only had one other shot on target.
Romania, meanwhile, did little when it had possession and did not even test the goal defended by Cakir.
🇩🇰 Denmark 4 x 0 North Macedonia 🇲🇰
The hosts were in full control at Parken Stadium.
But they lacked precision in the first half.
Then came the second half and, with it, Denmark’s deserved goal.
Damsgaard scored from a loose ball in the fourth minute.
Then Denmark put the game to bed thanks to two goals from Isaksen.
The first by finishing off a cross in the 13th minute. Then by pouncing on a rebound in the very next minute.
Norgaard (31') wrapped up the scoring with a header.
🇸🇰 Slovakia 3 x 4 Kosovo 🇽🇰
The Kosovars had more possession in the first half. But they lacked efficiency at Tehelné pole.
Valjent opened the scoring for the hosts as early as the sixth minute.
Kosovo pulled one back through Hodza (21'). And Haraslin put the Slovaks back in front before halftime.
Kosovo came back lethal for the second half.
Asllani equalized with a header two minutes in. Muslija turned it around with a free kick (15').
Slovakia only managed to score through Strelec (49').
Kosovo makes history and remains in pursuit of a historic qualification.
🇮🇹 Italy 2 x 0 Northern Ireland 🇬🇬
Gewiss Stadium, Atalanta’s home ground, was chosen because of the atmosphere Gattuso saw there, for his debut in charge of Italy.
And the support from the start would be crucial.
Italy’s superior possession (70%) had no effect in the first half.
It was a “rain” of crosses (22), but only eight were accurate.
The Azzurra lacked inspiration to secure a lead before halftime against a rival well organized without the ball.
The tension in Bergamo only eased when Tonali pounced on a rebound to open the scoring 11 minutes into the second half.
And things became much calmer after Kean scored a scrappy goal in the 35th minute.
They now wait for the winner between Wales and Bosnia.
🇵🇱 Poland 2 x 1 Albania 🇦🇱
Sylvinho’s men took the lead right at the National Stadium in Warsaw after a mistake by Bednarek.
Hoxha got the ball, rounded Grabara and scored (42').
Poland’s reaction came from him, Lewa. Corner kick and a headed goal after Strakosha made a terrible mistake.
The comeback came thanks to a shot from outside the box by Zielinski (28').
Albania’s elimination means Brazil will have no representatives among the coaches at the World Cup. Something unprecedented.
🇺🇦 Ukraine 1 x 3 Sweden 🇸🇪
Ukraine’s greater possession, in a game hosted at Ciutat de València, did not produce a single shot in the second half.
All the better for the Swedes, who struck as early as the sixth minute through a well-positioned Gyökeres.
It was again Gyökeres who doubled the lead, again in the sixth minute of the second half.
And the Arsenal striker also got the third, this time from the penalty spot (27').
Ukraine only managed to score in the 46th minute through Ponomarenko.
Extra time is underway
What now? 📅
The four decisive matchups for the final European spots at the World Cup will be played next Tuesday (31) starting at 3:45 p.m. (Brasília time).
Wales or Bosnia 🆚 Italy
Sweden 🆚 Poland
Kosovo 🆚 Turkey
Czech Republic or Ireland 🆚 Denmark
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
