Hojbjerg's Denmark finish top despite defeat, Vicario's Italy also bound for Euro 2024
Mon 20 November 2023, 22:45|
Tottenham Hotspur
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Guglielmo Vicario can look ahead to the Euro 2024 finals in Germany next summer after completing their qualifying campaigns on Monday evening.
Their final qualifying matches were, however, at different ends of the footballing scale. Pierre and the Danes secured top spot in Group H with a big win against closest rivals Slovenia on Friday. They were beaten 2-0 by Northern Ireland in their final qualifier in Belfast, where Pierre came off the bench just after the hour. Slovenia beat Kazakhstan to go level on points with Denmark, but the Danes finish top due to a better head-to-head record having won and drawn the matches between the two.
Italy's qualification was on a knife edge, although the reigning champions knew they would join Group C winners England in Germany by avoiding defeat against Ukraine in the group finale played at Bayer Leverkusen's BayArena. They did exactly that by securing a goalless draw, with goalkeeper Guglielmo an unused substitute. Destiny Udogie, who made his full debut for the Azzurri last month, wasn't part of this Italy squad.
Yves Bissouma started and played 62 minutes as Mali were pegged back by Central African Republic in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. It ended 1-1 in Bamako. Mali have a win and a draw from their first two matches and top Group I.
Meanwhile, Dane Scarlett came on as Alfie Devine departed after 61 minutes of England Under-20s' fine comeback in a Euro Elite League match against Germany. Alfie, on loan at Port Vale, started in Regensburg as the Young Lions came from 1-0 and 2-1 down to level and then snatch a late victory. Dane rattled the woodwork after coming off the bench as England chased a winner that arrived in added time through Chelsea's Heerenveen loanee Charlie Webster.
Tuesday's action
Heung-Min Son - South Korea away 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against China - kick-off 12pm
Pape Matar Sarr - Senegal away 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Togo - kick-off 4pm
Ben Davies, Brennan Johnson and Joe Rodon - Wales home Euro 2024 qualifier against Turkey - kick-off 7.45pm
Troy Parrott - Republic of Ireland home friendly against New Zealand - kick-off 7.45pm
Rodrigo Bentancur - Uruguay home 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bolivia - kick-off 11.30pm
Josh Keeley - Republic of Ireland Under-21s home European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Italy - kick-off 5.30pm
Jamie Donley, Alfie Dorrington, Luca Gunter, Will Lankshear and Ashley Phillips - England Under-19s tournament match against Mexico in Spain - kick-off 5pm
